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Our Services
At Bluewater Foot & Ankle Specialists, we treat a wide variety of conditions pertaining to the foot and ankle. From ingrown toenails to traumatic injuries requiring surgical intervention, there are few foot and ankle services we do not provide. Please read about many of our services we provide below, however, this is not an exhaustive list.
TRAUMATIC INJURIES
Fractures of the Ankle
The ankle joint is made up of the lower (distal) sections of the lower leg bones, called the tibia and fibula, along with a bone in the foot called the talus. An ankle fracture is a break in one, two, or all three of these sections of bone. Symptoms of this condition include: A tender and swollen ankle. Bruising around your injured ankle. Pain when moving or pressing on your ankle. Trouble walking or using your ankle to support your body weight (putting weight on your ankle). Pain that gets worse when you move your foot or ankle or when you stand. Pain that gets better with rest.
Fractures of the Foot
The ankle joint is made up of the lower (distal) sections of the lower leg bones, called the tibia and fibula, along with a bone in the foot called the talus. An ankle fracture is a break in one, two, or all three of these sections of bone. Symptoms of this condition include: A tender and swollen ankle. Bruising around your injured ankle. Pain when moving or pressing on your ankle. Trouble walking or using your ankle to support your body weight (putting weight on your ankle). Pain that gets worse when you move your foot or ankle or when you stand. Pain that gets better with rest.
Tendon Ruptures
Tendon repair is surgery to fix a tendon that is torn (ruptured). The repair is done by reconnecting the torn ends of the tendon. Tendons are like cords, and they connect muscles to bones. Tendons that commonly rupture and need surgical repair include those in the ankle (achilles tendon).
Ankle Sprains
An ankle sprain is a stretch or tear in a ligament in the ankle. Ligaments are tissues that connect bones to each other. Symptoms of this condition include: Pain in your ankle. Swelling. Bruising. This may develop right after you sprain your ankle or 12 days later. Trouble standing or walking, especially when you turn or change directions.
Soft Tissue Injuries
An ankle sprain is a stretch or tear in a ligament in the ankle. Ligaments are tissues that connect bones to each other. Symptoms of this condition include: Pain in your ankle. Swelling. Bruising. This may develop right after you sprain your ankle or 12 days later. Trouble standing or walking, especially when you turn or change directions.
Ligament Sprains and Tears
Ankle ligament repair is a procedure to fix a torn or stretched ligament in the ankle. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect bones together. Ligaments in the ankle keep the ankle bones in place and stabilize the joint. You may need this surgery if other treatments to repair your ligament have not worked. The procedure is usually done on ligaments that are found on the outer side of the ankle.
STRUCTURAL DEFORMITIES
Bunions
A bunion (hallux valgus) is a bump that forms slowly on the inner side of the big toe joint. It occurs when the big toe turns toward the second toe. Bunions may be small at first, but they often get larger over time. They can make walking painful. This condition may be caused by: Wearing narrow or pointed shoes that force the big toe to press against the other toes. Abnormal foot development that causes the foot to roll inward. Changes in the foot that are caused by certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or polio. A foot injury.
High Arches
A high arch foot is a condition in which the arch of the foot does not touch the ground when a person is standing or walking. This condition is called high arch feet when it happens in both feet. In high arch feet, more weight is put on the parts of the feet that touch the ground, including the fronts, outer sides, and heels of the feet. This condition is also known as cavus foot. Having high arches can be painful and can make a person physically unstable. This condition may be caused by: Being born with a high arch in one foot or both feet. Being born with a foot that turns inward (club foot). Having a broken foot that does not heal properly.
Hammertoes
Hammertoe is a change in the shape, or a deformity, of the toe. The deformity causes the middle joint of the toe to stay bent. Hammer toe starts gradually. At first, the toe can be straightened. Then over time, the toe deformity becomes stiff, inflexible, and permanently bent. Hammer toe usually affects the second, third, or fourth toe. A hammer toe causes pain, especially when wearing shoes. Corns and calluses can result from the toe rubbing against the inside of the shoe.
Flat Feet
Flat feet is a common condition in which there is no curve, or arch, on the inner sides of the feet. Normally, an adult foot has an arch. The arch creates a gap between the foot and the ground. This condition can occur in one foot or in both feet.
Bone Spurs
Bone spurs affect your bones and joints. They're also called osteophytes, and they form where two bones meet in a joint. They're more common as you age or if you have osteoarthritis. Some people may need surgery for bone spurs, but most people can cope with treatments that are easier to bear.
Charcot Foot
Charcot foot is a rare but serious complication that can affect persons with peripheral neuropathy, especially those with diabetes mellitus. Charcot affects the bones, joints, and soft tissues of the foot or ankle. The bones become weak and can break and the joints in the foot or ankle can dislocate.
CONDITIONS OF THE SKIN
Ingrown Toenails
An ingrown toenail occurs when the corner or sides of a toenail grow into the surrounding skin. This causes discomfort and pain. The big toe is most commonly affected, but any of the toes can be affected. If an ingrown toenail is not treated, it can become infected. This condition may be caused by: Wearing shoes that are too small or tight. An injury, such as stubbing your toe or having your toe stepped on. Improper cutting or care of your toenails. Having nail or foot abnormalities that were present from birth, such as having a nail that is too big for your toe.
Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal infection of the skin on your feet. It often occurs on the skin that is between or underneath the toes. It can also occur on the soles of your feet. The infection can spread from person to person (is contagious). It can also spread when a person's bare feet come in contact with the fungus on shower floors or on items such as shoes. This condition is caused by a fungus that grows in warm, moist places. You can get athlete's foot by sharing shoes, shower stalls, towels, and wet floors with someone who is infected. Not washing your feet or changing your socks often enough can also lead to athlete's foot.
Corns and Calluses
Corns are small areas of thickened skin that form on the top, sides, or tip of a toe. Corns have a cone-shaped core with a point that can press on a nerve below. This causes pain. Calluses are areas of thickened skin that can form anywhere on the body, including the soles of the feet and heels. Calluses are usually larger than corns.
Fungal Toenails
A fungal nail infection is a common infection of the toenails. It often affects the great, or big, toes. More than one nail may be infected. The condition can be passed from person to person (is contagious). This condition is caused by a fungus, such as yeast or molds. Several types of fungi can cause the infection. These fungi are common in moist and warm areas.
Plantar Warts
Warts are caused by a type of virus that is called human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus can spread from person to person through direct contact. Warts can also spread to other areas of the body when a person scratches a wart and then scratches another area of his or her body.
Wound Care
Taking care of your wound properly can help to prevent pain, infection, and amputation in severe circumstances. It can also help your wound heal more quickly. Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to care for your wound.
OTHER COMMON CONDITIONS
Plantar Fasciitis/Heel Pain
Plantar fasciitis is a painful foot condition that affects the heel. It occurs when the band of tissue that connects the toes to the heel bone (plantar fascia) becomes irritated. This can happen as the result of exercising too much or doing other repetitive activities (overuse injury). Plantar fasciitis can cause mild irritation to severe pain that makes it difficult to walk or move. The pain is usually worse in the morning after sleeping, or after sitting or lying down for a period of time. Pain may also be worse after long periods of walking or standing.
Achilles Tendinitis
Achilles tendinitis is inflammation of the tough, cord-like band that attaches the lower leg muscles to the heel bone (Achilles tendon). This is usually caused by overusing the tendon and the ankle joint. Achilles tendinitis usually gets better over time with treatment and caring for yourself at home. It can take weeks or months to heal completely.
Morton's Neuroma
Morton neuralgia is foot pain that affects the ball of the foot and the area near the toes. Morton neuralgia occurs when part of a nerve in the foot (digital nerve) is under too much pressure (compressed). When this happens over a long period of time, the nerve can thicken (neuroma) and cause pain. Pain usually occurs between the third and fourth toes. Morton neuralgia can come and go but may get worse over time.
Arthritis of the Foot/Ankle
Arthritis is a term that is commonly used to refer to joint pain or joint disease. There are more than 100 types of arthritis. The most common cause of this condition is wear and tear of a joint. Other causes include: Gout. Inflammation of a joint. An infection of a joint. Sprains and other injuries near the joint. A reaction to medicines or drugs, or an allergic reaction.
Soft Tissue Masses
Treatment for this condition depends on the size of the soft tissue mass, whether it is causing any symptoms, and the diagnosis following any imaging studies. For small masses that are not causing problems, no treatment is needed. If a mass is bigger or it causes problems, surgery may be done to remove it.
Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy refers to nerve damage that is caused by diabetes. Over time, people with diabetes can develop nerve damage throughout the body. There are several types of diabetic neuropathy: Peripheral neuropathy. This is the most common type of diabetic neuropathy. It damages the nerves that carry signals between the spinal cord and other parts of the body (peripheral nerves). This usually affects nerves in the feet, legs, hands, and arms.
