Podiatry

If you have an issue with your feet or ankles, your best bet is to see a medical expert specially trained in this area. At Orthopaedic Surgical Consultants in Merrillville, Indiana, that expert is board-certified podiatrist Michael Lacey. Pain, swelling, and discoloration of the feet or ankles may indicate a serious medical problem. If your symptoms last for more than a day or two, it’s time to make an appointment with Dr. Lacey.

Patients with certain medical conditions – notably, patients with diabetes – should regularly see a podiatrist to ensure they don’t develop complications common with the disease, such as gangrene and the need for amputation.

Those whose feet regularly take a beating – like runners (beginners or experienced) or obese patients –will benefit greatly from our podiatry services. For these patients, a visit to a podiatrist can help prevent foot or ankle pain from occurring in the first place.

Foot & Ankle Conditions We Treat

Among the many foot and ankle problems the podiatrist at OSC can help you with include:

Podiatry Treatments

The type of treatment you need will depend on the reason for your symptoms. Foot or ankle solutions we offer at OSC may include wound care, medication for infections, gait training, orthotics, and/or surgery. Sometimes, symptoms that occur in your feet – such as numbness or the feeling of pins and needles – may indicate another problem (such as heart disease, circulatory issues, and high cholesterol) that requires medical attention.

Two common reasons patients visit a podiatrist are for orthotics and diabetic foot care.

Orthotics

At OSC, we carry a variety of off-the-shelf products, and are able to create customized orthotics just for you. Orthotics are a wide array of devices designed to correct for foot deformities, gait issues, fallen arches, and other foot or ankle problems. Examples of orthotics include arch support, a foot brace, heel inserts, and insoles.

Diabetic Foot Care

For those who suffer from diabetes, the risk of complications like gangrene and the need for amputation of the foot and leg occur for two different reasons:

• Circulation problems – Diabetes can lead to peripheral artery disease, in which blood flow to the limbs is restricted. This reduces the amount of oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood that reaches the arms and legs, which can inhibit the natural healing of wounds and can lead to tissue death (gangrene) in the extremities.
• Nerve damage – Diabetes damages nerves throughout the body, including those in the limbs. Peripheral neuropathy typically results in numbness or pins and needles in the hands and feet. In patients with diabetes, this nerve damage means you may not feel it if you have an injury or problem affecting your feet.

Regular appointments with a podiatrist are a must if you have diabetes. At these visits, your doctor will inspect your feet for any problems and treat any wounds – including minor ones because even a simple scape can turn into a nonhealing ulcer very quickly in those with diabetes. Podiatrists are often the first to notice a problem with the foot in a diabetic patient.

Prevention plays a big role for patients with diabetes. Your podiatrist can help you identify a routine that works for you and that includes daily inspection of your feet, including exactly what signs to look for that may indicate the beginning of an issue.

Podiatrist in Merrillville, IN

Should you need foot or ankle care, call Orthopaedic Surgical Consultants at call us today to schedule a visit with our podiatrist Michael Lacey. You can also request an appointment now. We look forward to seeing you at our office in Merrillville, Indiana.