Pediatric Foot Care

Our feet and ankles form the foundation that supports our bodies and are responsible for our daily mobility, so good foot and ankle care should begin early in life. Starting in infancy, it is important for parents to take the proper measures that ensure good foot health for their children. With the help of Dr. Harry Cotler of Affiliated Ankle & Foot Care Center, you can keep your baby healthy from head to toe in Soldotna, AK.

With young babies, it is important for parents to change their position several times a day and to look at his or her feet to see if anything looks abnormal. Exercise should also be provided for them. Lying uncovered allows the infant to kick and perform other movements that will prepare the feet for weight bearing. Leaving the child uncovered also prevents abnormal pressure on the feet. A young child’s feet are very pliable, and foot deformities can result from pressure placed on the feet by tight covers or too-small shoes. It is important to make sure your child’s shoes are flexible and fit properly and that sheets and blankets are loose when being used.

As your child ages, be aware of their walking patterns, which could signal any concerns. In addition, any foot pain or swelling without explanation should not be ignored. Foot deformities, such as club foot, require early medical intervention. If any problems arise, it is important to consult with Dr. Cotler, who can address these concerns. From flat feet and juvenile bunions to ingrown toenails and other common foot problems, Affiliated Ankle & Foot Care Center can treat children and will work to make sure your child’s feet are healthy and happy.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Harry Cotler of Affiliated Ankle & Foot Care Center, call (907) 260-3668. For more information about Dr. Cotler and any services offered at Affiliated Ankle & Foot Care Center, visit www.hcotler.com.

Plantar Warts

Plantar warts are benign, hard, grainy growths that can occur on the heels or balls of your feet—the areas that feel the most pressure. In fact, the extreme pressure that these parts of your feet experience can actually cause plantar warts to grown inward beneath calluses. Although, these warts are not a serious health concern, they may still require treatment if they cause discomfort or pain. In Soldotna, AK, Affiliated Ankle & Foot Care Center, Dr. Harry Cotler, treat plantar warts and preserve your foot health.

Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can enter your body through tiny cuts, breaks or weak spots in the bottom of your feet. This can happen if you walk barefoot in public lock rooms or other common public areas or if you have a weakened immune system. While plantar warts can appear as lesions on the bottom of your feet, they can also manifest as well-defined spots on calluses, as black pinpoints called wart seeds and as pain or as pain or tenderness when walking or standing.

There are at-home treatments you can try to treat your plantar warts, but if they persist, change in color or appearance or cause pain, you schedule an appointment with Dr. Cotler. If you find a lesion and you have diabetes, poor sensation in your feet or a weakened immune system, you should skip trying at-home treatments and schedule an appointment with your podiatrist immediately.

Problems with your feet can affect your entire quality of life, but Affiliated Ankle & Foot Care Center and Dr. Harry Cotler can ensure that your foot health is well looked after in Soldotna, AK. To schedule an appointment, call (907) 260-3668. For more information about Dr. Cotler and any other services offered at Affiliated Ankle & Foot Care Center, please visit www.hcotler.com.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis

The world is full of allergens, some which may pose no risk for you and others that might make you miserable. While many people are born with sensitivity to certain foods or substances, others may develop allergies later in life. Allergic contact dermatitis is defined as an allergic condition that occurs when your skin is contacted by an allergen that you are sensitive to. When this happens, an allergic reaction occurs which may be in the form of rashes, dry or scaly skin. At Affiliated Ankle & Foot Care Center, our team is prepared for patients suffering from allergic contact dermatitis.

Common causes of allergic contact dermatitis of the foot are poison ivy, oak or sumac as well as particular dyes and chemicals that may be found in footwear. The first step in treating allergies of any kind is to identify the allergen. If you are experiencing new symptoms, take the time to evaluate what new substances or plants you may have come into contact with.

If you are experiencing what you may believe to be allergic contact dermatitis, contact us at Affiliated Ankle & Foot Care Center to assist you with finding the cause and alleviating the symptoms. You may need to be tested for a fungal infection or prescribed one of the many effective treatments that are available to remedy this troublesome condition.

Hallux Rigidus

Hallux rigidus, also known as “stiff big toe” is a form of arthritis that subsides in the base of the big toe in the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. This joint is extremely important because it bends every time you take a step and when the joint stiffens, it becomes extremely difficult and painful to walk on.

In order to lessen the pain, those suffering from hallux rigidus will often limp or alter their walking mechanics. This can, in turn, lead to pain in the ankles, knees, hips and lower back. Patients suffering from hallux rigidus will exhibit the following symptoms:

• Pain in the area when you are active


• Swelling and inflammation around the joint


• A bunion-like bump that develops on top of the foot


• Stiffness in the big toe


• Inability to bend big toe up or down

At Affiliated Ankle & Foot Care Center we offer many treatment options if you suffer from hallux rigidus, both surgical and non-surgical. The non-surgical options include shoe modification, anti-inflammatory medications, orthotics and physical therapy. Surgical options are often a last-resort but do prove to be extremely effective.

Contact us today to discuss your condition and how we can treat it for you!

Digital X-Rays

Many podiatrists' do not utilize X-ray technology in their practice at all, much less digital X-ray technology. This new technology is taking the medical field by storm; its many advantages greatly outweigh those of traditional X-ray systems. Dr. Harry Cotler brought this technology to Affiliated Ankle & Foot Care Center in order to provide a better level of care to his patients.

The use of digital radiography has many advantages that are all but impossible with traditional X-ray systems. Dr. Cotler is able to view and detect anomalies in dark or light areas of the film, enhance cortical outlines, change image brightness and magnify and manipulate the image. The image that is taken is also much higher quality than seen through traditional systems. Digital X-ray technology is a great tool for patients as well. Since traditional X-rays often fail to detect early stages of many problems, digital X-rays give Dr. Cotler higher quality images that allow him to diagnose patient’s problems sooner. Early detection is the best way for patient’s to avoid potentially invasive, costly procedures that wouldn’t have been necessary if the symptoms were found earlier.

Another great benefit of digital X-ray technology is the fact that it is so good for the environment. There is no need for harmful chemicals or wasted film to develop the images. The X-rays are all stored in our computer system, eliminating the need for filing envelopes or physical storage of records.

To make an appointment with Dr. Harry Cotler, call (907) 260-3668. For more information about our team here at Affiliated ANkle & Foot Care Center, visit www.hcotler.com.

 

 

Corns and Calluses

Corns and Calluses affect nearly 5% of Americans and are often treated through podiatric care. Corns and calluses are essentially the same thing: thick, dead skin caused by excessive friction, usually because of a poorly fitting shoe. Corns are generally found on the toes, whereas calluses tend to form on the bottom of the feet. If you are experiencing one of these common foot conditions, visit our team here at Affiliated Ankle & Foot Care Center for treatment, especially if you are feeling any pain or discomfort.

 

Corns and calluses are typically caused by either too much friction or pressure on against part of the foot. These conditions are not contagious but do become painful if left untreated. For patients who suffer from diabetes or decreased circulation, corns and calluses often lead to serious foot problems if left untreated.

 

When you visit our office in Soldotna, AK, Dr. Harry Cotler will conduct a complete exam of your feet, corns and calluses are diagnosed based on appearance and medical history. Dr. Cotler may even inspect your shoes or watch you walk in an effort to determine the cause. Once it is determined that you have one of these conditions, Dr. Cotler will create a treatment plan. For those suffering from mild corns or calluses, it may require a change in shoes or add orthotics. If you suffer from larger corns or calluses, Dr. Cotler will reduce them with a surgical blade. The procedure is completely painless because the skin is already dead.

 

Call us at 907-260-3668 to schedule a consultation with our podiatrist Dr. Harry Cotler for your corns or calluses. 

Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetes has many effects on feet, and it is extremely important that any diabetic seek podiatric care. Here at Affiliated Ankle & Foot Care Center, Dr. Cotler has a wealth of experience in assisting diabetic patients with their foot care.

 

Diabetes is a condition that affects many organs and systems in the body. Feet are the first place where effects of diabetes are seen, mainly because they are the furthest extremities from the heart. It is a well-known fact that one of the first systemic conditions that diabetes effects is the circulatory system. Dr. Cotler specializes in disorders of the foot and ankle and therefore is highly trained to examine for abnormalities of the lower extremity.

 

Many times podiatrists are the first doctors to diagnose vascular disease and neuropathy in the lower extremities. Diabetes can cause both of these systemic disorders and by seeing a podiatrist, the feet, which are most affected by diabetes, can be cared for on a regular basis. Often a small problem can be diagnosed and treated at an early stage and helps prevent the condition from progressing to a more serious disorder.

 

If you suffer from diabetes, it is crucial that you ensure foot health by working with a podiatrist. This will truly reduce the likelihood of an infection. Preventative care is the best step you could take if you have diabetes.