Taking steps towards better health.

In a world that constantly demands movement, the health of one’s feet is paramount to daily life. Podiatric care specializes in treating and diagnosing disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower limbs while focusing on how these areas interact with the rest of the body. This is particularly important when it comes to gait, alignment, and overall function.“

Our goal at JCMG Podiatry is to provide comprehensive, conservative, and surgical care of the foot and ankle for any age and any activity level,” says Dr. William Duke with Jefferson City Medical Group. “My training, as well as Dr. J.P. McAleer’s training, allows us to provide elite podiatric care to all of our patients.

Pain Points

Believe it or not, foot and ankle problems can be common and often vary in severity and cause.

“For example, plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the band of tissue that stretches from the heel to the toes,” says JCMG’s Dr. McAleer. “It’s a common cause of heel pain and can be treated with steroid injections, physical therapy, shoe inserts, anti-inflammatory medications, or sometimes surgery.”

Many people also suffer from a condition known as flat-feet, which, as the name suggests, is where the arches of the feet are flattened, causing the entire sole to touch the ground when standing.“

This condition can lead to tendon and ligament injuries, arthritis, and difficulty walking,” Dr. McAleer says. “These symptoms tend to progress over time even if the problem has been present for years.”

Ankle sprains are another common injury that people are familiar with, but podiatrists caution that they can be much more serious than most people think.

“Sprains are actual injuries to the ligaments and can lead to issues such as chronic ankle instability and. can result in recurring twisting of the ankle and a feeling that the ankle is unsteady when being active,” Dr.McAleer says.Bunions, another common foot ailment, are deformities at the base of the big toe that can cause significant pain and difficulty walking. Ingrown toenails and plantar warts are additional issues patients may experience.

“The foot is a complex structure that is often overlooked simply by wearing shoes. Pain or discomfort isn’t normal, and it’s not something you just have to live with.”

—DR. WILLIAM DUKE

Health Points

“The foot is a complex structure that is often over-looked simply by wearing shoes,” says Dr. Duke. “Pain or discomfort isn’t normal, and it’s not something you just have to live with. People often will try treating issues themselves through an internet-based approach to health care instead of going to the doctor.”

Some home remedies may help in the short term, but contacting a podiatrist when experiencing foot or ankle. problems that interfere with daily living is essential forfinding the best solution with long-term results.

“I routinely hear, ‘Oh, it is just a foot or toe, there is nothing you can do. It will go away. I’ll try different shoes.’ We lead very mobile and busy lifestyles. Delaying care is very problematic. We offer same day and next day appointments so patients can have near immediate access to care. There is no need to delay seeking treatment,” Dr. Duke says.

Prolonged pain could be a sign of tendon or ligament damage. It also has the potential to be an undiagnosed fracture, which causes further issues down the road.

Treatment Points

The good news is that there are a wide array of treatments for foot and ankle issues, including hammertoe correction, ankle arthroscopy, steroid injections and high-level injections (such as placental-based injections), reconstruction surgery for chronic ankle instability, and Achilles tendon repair. Treatments like lapiplasty (which is used to treat bunions) and adductoplasty (which is used to treat metatarsus adductus, a common foot deformity that causes the front half of the foot to turn inward) can also bring life-changing relief.

By seeking podiatric care, individuals not only prioritize their foot health but also embrace a lasting approach to wellness. Every step taken without discomfort or pain is one step closer to having a strong foundation that leads to a balanced life.