We treat a wide array of foot and ankle conditions and offer a diverse variety of tests, exams, and treatment options. At Step Ahead Foot and Ankle, initial treatment is typically directed toward conservative care. However, when necessary, surgical options are available by our board-certified surgeon.
From routine checkups to reconstructive surgery, we can take care of your foot and ankle needs. We treat most all conditions affecting the lower extremities, including: tendonitis, heel pain/spurs, ingrown toenails, sprains, bunions, hammertoes, fractures, warts, diabetes, wounds/ulcers, fungal nails/skin, nerve conditions, and flatfeet.
We offer in-office Digital X-Rays, F-Scan In-Shoe Pressure Measurements with full Gait Analysis System, Vascular Testing, Diabetic Shoes and Orthotics, Custom Orthotics (3D Scanned and Impression Molded), Kiosk Check-In, In-office minor surgical procedures, Hospital based outpatient/inpatient surgery.
COMMON CONDITIONS
TREATING ALL FOOT & ANKLE AILMENTS
Orthotics refers to any device inserted into a shoe, ranging from felt pads to custom-made shoe inserts that correct an abnormal or irregular foot position, deformity, or walking pattern. Sometimes called arch supports, orthotics allow people to stand, walk, and run more efficiently and comfortably. While pre-fabricated orthotics are available in-office and may help people with mild symptoms (oftentimes with adjustments, performed on-site), they may not correct the wide range of symptoms that prescription foot orthotics can since they are not custom made to fit an individual’s unique foot structure.
Many sports are hard on the feet because of quick, repetitive movements, constricting footwear, and/or increased exposure to injury or trauma. At Step Ahead Foot and Ankle, emphasis is placed on preventative medicine and appropriate biomechanical alignment. Dr. Fiala routinely favors a non-surgical approach to treating many athletic or overuse foot ailments, including: heel pain, neuromas, ball of foot pain, bunions, big toe joint pain, and Achilles tendon pain. Many times this involves the fitting of either pre-fabricated (oftentimes customized with adjustments) or custom foot orthoses.
Many sports are hard on the feet because of quick, repetitive movements, constricting footwear, and/or increased exposure to injury or trauma. At Step Ahead Foot and Ankle, emphasis is placed on preventative medicine and appropriate biomechanical alignment. Dr. Fiala routinely favors a non-surgical approach to treating many athletic or overuse foot ailments, including: heel pain, neuromas, ball of foot pain, bunions, big toe joint pain, and Achilles tendon pain. Many times this involves the fitting of either pre-fabricated (oftentimes customized with adjustments) or custom foot orthoses.
Many sports are hard on the feet because of quick, repetitive movements, constricting footwear, and/or increased exposure to injury or trauma. At Step Ahead Foot and Ankle, emphasis is placed on preventative medicine and appropriate biomechanical alignment. Dr. Fiala routinely favors a non-surgical approach to treating many athletic or overuse foot ailments, including: heel pain, neuromas, ball of foot pain, bunions, big toe joint pain, and Achilles tendon pain. Many times this involves the fitting of either pre-fabricated (oftentimes customized with adjustments) or custom foot orthoses.
Many sports are hard on the feet because of quick, repetitive movements, constricting footwear, and/or increased exposure to injury or trauma. At Step Ahead Foot and Ankle, emphasis is placed on preventative medicine and appropriate biomechanical alignment. Dr. Fiala routinely favors a non-surgical approach to treating many athletic or overuse foot ailments, including: heel pain, neuromas, ball of foot pain, bunions, big toe joint pain, and Achilles tendon pain. Many times this involves the fitting of either pre-fabricated (oftentimes customized with adjustments) or custom foot orthoses.
Although Dr. Fiala favors a conservative treatment approach to most foot & ankle ailments when possible, there are some conditions that are best treated surgically. These may include: foot & ankle fractures, some foot infections, severe foot deformities, painful bunions & hammertoes, chronic ankle sprains/instability, tendon tears, and foot and ankle arthritis. At Step Ahead Foot and Ankle patients are always given their options and are asked to play a role in their care, whether conservative or surgical.
A bunion is a bone deformity caused by misalignment of the bone structures in the foot. Bunions form when the metatarsal and big toe moves out of place. The boney enlargement on the inside of the big toe joint cause friction and pressure as they rub against footwear. Over time, the movement of the big toe angles in toward the other toes, sometimes under or overlapping the second toe. The growing enlargement then causes more irritation and inflammation. Bunions can also lead to other toe deformities, such as hammertoes, and it’s often a bunion that causes a biomechanical alteration to the entire front of the foot and leads to other symptoms such as metatarsalgia, neuromas, and capsulitis.
According to the American Diabetes Association, about 32 million people (11-15% percent of the United States population) have diabetes. Nervous system damage (also called neuropathy) affects about 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes and is a major complication that may cause diabetics to lose feeling in their feet or hands. At Step Ahead Foot and Ankle, Dr. Fiala provides preventative foot care (care of calluses and thickened toenails) and treatment for diabetic foot ulcerations and infections. Care of ulcerations with patients who have diabetes requires comprehensiove care, including infection control, removing pressure, debriding the wound, and utilization of proper wound care products. The resources provided at Step Ahead Foot and Ankle (diabetic shoes, casting, orthotics, in-shoe pressure measurement to assist with offloading, PADnet® ABI / PVR machine to test a patient’s circulation) are paramount to ulceration healing, which is key to prevent amputation. If an infection does occur, Dr. Fiala is surgically skilled to manage these as well.
Poor circulation in the legs and feet can lead to pain, wounds, and even amputation. Testing the circulation can expose any potential problems and prevent limb threatening issues. If you worry about the circulation in your legs and feet or have leg pain after walking for several blocks, you may have intermittent claudication, a condition where the arteries in your legs are blocked and restriction of blood flow causes muscle pain. ABI (ankle brachial index) vascular studies can help diagnose and guide treatment if you have circulation problems. This is a simple and fast in-office test.
According to the American Diabetes Association, about 32 million people (11-15% percent of the United States population) have diabetes. Nervous system damage (also called neuropathy) affects about 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes and is a major complication that may cause diabetics to lose feeling in their feet or hands. At Step Ahead Foot and Ankle, Dr. Fiala provides preventative foot care (care of calluses and thickened toenails) and treatment for diabetic foot ulcerations and infections. Care of ulcerations with patients who have diabetes requires comprehensiove care, including infection control, removing pressure, debriding the wound, and utilization of proper wound care products. The resources provided at Step Ahead Foot and Ankle (diabetic shoes, casting, orthotics, in-shoe pressure measurement to assist with offloading, PADnet® ABI / PVR machine to test a patient’s circulation) are paramount to ulceration healing, which is key to prevent amputation. If an infection does occur, Dr. Fiala is surgically skilled to manage these as well.
According to the American Diabetes Association, about 32 million people (11-15% percent of the United States population) have diabetes. Nervous system damage (also called neuropathy) affects about 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes and is a major complication that may cause diabetics to lose feeling in their feet or hands. At Step Ahead Foot and Ankle, Dr. Fiala provides preventative foot care (care of calluses and thickened toenails) and treatment for diabetic foot ulcerations and infections. Care of ulcerations with patients who have diabetes requires comprehensiove care, including infection control, removing pressure, debriding the wound, and utilization of proper wound care products. The resources provided at Step Ahead Foot and Ankle (diabetic shoes, casting, orthotics, in-shoe pressure measurement to assist with offloading, PADnet® ABI / PVR machine to test a patient’s circulation) are paramount to ulceration healing, which is key to prevent amputation. If an infection does occur, Dr. Fiala is surgically skilled to manage these as well.
According to the American Diabetes Association, about 32 million people (11-15% percent of the United States population) have diabetes. Nervous system damage (also called neuropathy) affects about 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes and is a major complication that may cause diabetics to lose feeling in their feet or hands. At Step Ahead Foot and Ankle, Dr. Fiala provides preventative foot care (care of calluses and thickened toenails) and treatment for diabetic foot ulcerations and infections. Care of ulcerations with patients who have diabetes requires comprehensiove care, including infection control, removing pressure, debriding the wound, and utilization of proper wound care products. The resources provided at Step Ahead Foot and Ankle (diabetic shoes, casting, orthotics, in-shoe pressure measurement to assist with offloading, PADnet® ABI / PVR machine to test a patient’s circulation) are paramount to ulceration healing, which is key to prevent amputation. If an infection does occur, Dr. Fiala is surgically skilled to manage these as well.
Orthotics refers to any device inserted into a shoe, ranging from felt pads to custom-made shoe inserts that correct an abnormal or irregular foot position, deformity, or walking pattern. Sometimes called arch supports, orthotics allow people to stand, walk, and run more efficiently and comfortably. While pre-fabricated orthotics are available in-office and may help people with mild symptoms (oftentimes with adjustments, performed on-site), they may not correct the wide range of symptoms that prescription foot orthotics can since they are not custom made to fit an individual’s unique foot structure.
Although Dr. Fiala favors a conservative treatment approach to most foot & ankle ailments when possible, there are some conditions that are best treated surgically. These may include: foot & ankle fractures, some foot infections, severe foot deformities, painful bunions & hammertoes, chronic ankle sprains/instability, tendon tears, and foot and ankle arthritis. At Step Ahead Foot and Ankle patients are always given their options and are asked to play a role in their care, whether conservative or surgical.
A fracture, or broken bone, is usually the result of trauma or an injury. Some fractures can be treated conservatively and some require surgery to reposition and fix the broken bone. Few injuries to the foot can produce more pain than that of a broken toe. Due to some misinformation regarding toe fractures, many people never seek medical care after possibly fracturing a toe. The injury should be seen as soon as possible to have it properly evaluated as all fractures are different. Angular or crooked positioning of the toe may result in a permanent, painful deformity if not addressed early. There are ways to immobilize and splint the affected toe to correct the position. Surgery many even be indicated for toe some fractures.
Nails that are thick, discolored, or deformed are often simply referred to as “fungus nails.” However, this appearance may often be caused by some other pathology. Often times, obtaining a sample of the nail for microscopic analysis can definitively diagnose toenail fungus or other possible conditions. The majority of fungus nails are asymptomatic, but they may present a cosmetic problem for patients. Treatment can be topical medication, oral medication, simple debridement, or some combination of all three. Very rarely, surgical removal of the nail may be recommended.
Step Ahead Foot and Ankle offers a computerized gait analysis using the F-Scan® In-Shoe Pressure Measurement System. This state-of-the-art system allows us to “see inside the shoe,” giving us a better understanding of how a person’s foot interact with their footwear and helping us provide the best, most advanced care in the area. The In-Shoe Pressure Measurement System can be used to not only track areas of high pressure when one walks, or runs (or cycles even!), but is also used to track center of mass fluctuations with gait and motion and will address any hindrances or “hold ups” to the fluid motion your foot and ankle and body should have. These “hold ups” can lead to foot and ankle pathology, and sometimes even pathology in other parts of the body such as the knees, hips, and back.
A curving and/or contraction of the toes are known as hammertoes. Hammertoes can cause rubbing in the shoes, pain, calluses, and often ulcers. There are a variety of conservative options to treat a hammertoe. Sometimes surgery is indicated to straighten the curved and/or contracted toe.
Do your heels hurt first thing in the morning? Or after standing and walking for awhile? Heel pain will affect nearly everyone at some time. From achy heels and arches to sharp, stabbing pain, you may have a condition called Plantar Fasciitis. Dr. Fiala is skilled to address the underlying biomechanical concerns that may have predisposed you to Plantar Fasciitis and will work with you to develop a treatment program that meets your needs and gets you pain free quickly.
Do your heels hurt first thing in the morning? Or after standing and walking for awhile? Heel pain will affect nearly everyone at some time. From achy heels and arches to sharp, stabbing pain, you may have a condition called Plantar Fasciitis. Dr. Fiala is skilled to address the underlying biomechanical concerns that may have predisposed you to Plantar Fasciitis and will work with you to develop a treatment program that meets your needs and gets you pain free quickly.
An ingrown toenail can cause excruciating pain and often leads to infection. If left untreated, and ingrown toenail can cause a deeper, possibly resulting in the need for surgery. Most ingrown toenails can be treated quickly in the office with a simple trimming procedure and antibiotics if needed. A permanent procedure will usually be performed easily in-office which can prevent an ingrown toenail from recurring.
Orthotics refers to any device inserted into a shoe, ranging from felt pads to custom-made shoe inserts that correct an abnormal or irregular foot position, deformity, or walking pattern. Sometimes called arch supports, orthotics allow people to stand, walk, and run more efficiently and comfortably. While pre-fabricated orthotics are available in-office and may help people with mild symptoms (oftentimes with adjustments, performed on-site), they may not correct the wide range of symptoms that prescription foot orthotics can since they are not custom made to fit an individual’s unique foot structure.
Do your heels hurt first thing in the morning? Or after standing and walking for awhile? Heel pain will affect nearly everyone at some time. From achy heels and arches to sharp, stabbing pain, you may have a condition called Plantar Fasciitis. Dr. Fiala is skilled to address the underlying biomechanical concerns that may have predisposed you to Plantar Fasciitis and will work with you to develop a treatment program that meets your needs and gets you pain free quickly.
Many sports are hard on the feet because of quick, repetitive movements, constricting footwear, and/or increased exposure to injury or trauma. At Step Ahead Foot and Ankle, emphasis is placed on preventative medicine and appropriate biomechanical alignment. Dr. Fiala routinely favors a non-surgical approach to treating many athletic or overuse foot ailments, including: heel pain, neuromas, ball of foot pain, bunions, big toe joint pain, and Achilles tendon pain. Many times this involves the fitting of either pre-fabricated (oftentimes customized with adjustments) or custom foot orthoses.
Many sports are hard on the feet because of quick, repetitive movements, constricting footwear, and/or increased exposure to injury or trauma. At Step Ahead Foot and Ankle, emphasis is placed on preventative medicine and appropriate biomechanical alignment. Dr. Fiala routinely favors a non-surgical approach to treating many athletic or overuse foot ailments, including: heel pain, neuromas, ball of foot pain, bunions, big toe joint pain, and Achilles tendon pain. Many times this involves the fitting of either pre-fabricated (oftentimes customized with adjustments) or custom foot orthoses.
According to the American Diabetes Association, about 32 million people (11-15% percent of the United States population) have diabetes. Nervous system damage (also called neuropathy) affects about 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes and is a major complication that may cause diabetics to lose feeling in their feet or hands. At Step Ahead Foot and Ankle, Dr. Fiala provides preventative foot care (care of calluses and thickened toenails) and treatment for diabetic foot ulcerations and infections. Care of ulcerations with patients who have diabetes requires comprehensiove care, including infection control, removing pressure, debriding the wound, and utilization of proper wound care products. The resources provided at Step Ahead Foot and Ankle (diabetic shoes, casting, orthotics, in-shoe pressure measurement to assist with offloading, PADnet® ABI / PVR machine to test a patient’s circulation) are paramount to ulceration healing, which is key to prevent amputation. If an infection does occur, Dr. Fiala is surgically skilled to manage these as well.
According to the American Diabetes Association, about 32 million people (11-15% percent of the United States population) have diabetes. Nervous system damage (also called neuropathy) affects about 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes and is a major complication that may cause diabetics to lose feeling in their feet or hands. At Step Ahead Foot and Ankle, Dr. Fiala provides preventative foot care (care of calluses and thickened toenails) and treatment for diabetic foot ulcerations and infections. Care of ulcerations with patients who have diabetes requires comprehensiove care, including infection control, removing pressure, debriding the wound, and utilization of proper wound care products. The resources provided at Step Ahead Foot and Ankle (diabetic shoes, casting, orthotics, in-shoe pressure measurement to assist with offloading, PADnet® ABI / PVR machine to test a patient’s circulation) are paramount to ulceration healing, which is key to prevent amputation. If an infection does occur, Dr. Fiala is surgically skilled to manage these as well.