Our podiatrists and orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons specialize in assessing, diagnosing and treating your foot, heel and ankle pain. Here at Bellin Health, we dedicate ourselves to helping you return to everyday life pain-free. We also understand that knowing where to go and who to see can be confusing. Rest assured that by calling our team, we will listen to your symptoms and concerns and get you scheduled with the right provider.
Call our team at (920) 430-4888
Podiatrists vs. Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Surgeons – What Is the Difference, and Who Should I See?
Our podiatrists and foot and ankle surgeons are trained, licensed and board-certified medical providers who can treat conditions affecting the front of the foot, generally from the tips of the toes to the arch of the foot, including bunions and hammertoes, often overlapping their practices.
Our podiatrists and foot and ankle surgeons perform minimally invasive, non-surgical and surgical treatments. However, there are some differences in the conditions and injuries they see.
You will typically see a podiatrist for management of toenail disorders, corns, calluses, plantar fasciitis and diabetic-related conditions of the foot, while foot and ankle surgeons specialize in treating injuries that affect the structural makeup of the foot, ankle and lower leg. Meaning injuries of the bones, ligaments, joints and tendons, including arthritis. It is also common for foot and ankle surgeons to treat sports-related injuries of the foot or ankle.
Common Injuries & Conditions
- Ankle pain, instability, sprains and fractures
- Arthritis of the foot and ankle
- Bunions
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Hammertoes
- Heel and arch pain (plantar fasciitis)
- Tendon and ligament injury (tendonitis, sprains and Achilles tendon rupture)
- Toenail disorders (ingrown and/or fungal)
Common Treatments & Procedures
- Achilles tendon repair
- Ankle replacement
- Bunion correction
- Foot and ankle reconstruction
- Foot, toe and ankle fusion
- Hammertoe correction
- Ingrown toenail removal
Personalized Treatment Plans to Meet Your Needs
Our fellowship-trained orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons and expert podiatrists provide collaborative, comprehensive care that starts with understanding and pinpointing the source of your discomfort and pain. From there, we will work with you to develop a customized treatment plan that meets your unique needs and wishes as a patient.
We believe in exploring non-surgical treatments first, using therapy and other pain management tactics to help reduce pain and promote healing.
Symptoms & Treatment of Bunions
Bunions are a common foot condition, and they occur when the joint at the base of your big toe becomes enlarged and misaligned. This causes the big toe to point towards the other toes.
Symptoms:
- Difficulty wearing certain shoes
- Loss of proper foot function
- Pain doing daily activities
- Swelling
Our podiatrists and foot and ankle surgeons are trained in bunion correction. This is a surgical procedure that repositions bones in your foot to straighten your big toe and reduce the bump, giving you relief from pain and discomfort and improving your overall foot function.
Causes & Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a condition where the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, becomes inflamed. Various factors, including overuse, weight, age and foot structure, can cause plantar fasciitis.
Symptoms:
- Heel pain: often sharp and occurs when taking your first steps of the day
- Tenderness making it difficult to walk or stand for long periods
- Stiffness making it hard to flex or bend your foot and toes
- Swelling