- Warts
- ArthritisDifferent forms of arthritis affect the body in different ways; many have distinct systemic affects that are not common to other forms. Early diagnosis is important to effective treatment of any form. Destruction of cartilage is not reversible, and if the inflammation of arthritic disease isn’t treated, both cartilage and bone can be damaged, which makes the joints increasingly difficult to move. Most forms of arthritis cannot be cured but can be controlled or brought into remission; perhaps only five percent of the most serious cases, usually of rheumatoid arthritis, result in
- Plantar FasciitisMany people describe the pain of heel spurs and plantar fasciitis as a knife or pin sticking into the bottom of their feet when they first stand up in the morning — a pain that later turns into a dull ache. They often complain that the sharp pain returns after they stand up after sitting for a prolonged period of time.
- Medical Weight LossLose excess weight but do it slowly and under the guidance of a physician. Crash diets with rapid weight loss can trigger an attack.
- High Cholesterol
- Emergency CareIn the United States, 16 percent of all Emergency Department visits and almost 7 percent of all hospitalizations are for fall-related injuries
- Diabetic Foot CareDiabetes affects millions of Americans. It particularly affects their feet in many ways. Here at the Family Foot Care Center our job is to protect your feet and keep them healthy. We do this by trimming your toenails and calluses. We thoroughly screen your feet for risk factors and then develop a protocol to reduce those risk factors. Often times with routine diabetic foot care visits we can detect or find problems way before they become serious, thus insuring the health of your feet!
- ElectrocardiogramClearance: You will be seen for a pre-operative visit to review all information. After this visit you will be scheduled at the hospital for any pre-operative tests and/or lab work including a history and physical examination as well as laboratory tests. If your particular medical condition requires it, other tests might be needed before surgery, such as an EKG or a chest x-ray. If needed you will be referred by your surgeon to a specialist for a medical evaluation and clearance for surgery. If your own internist is available to see you, then your internist can provide this clearance. The clearance may include tests, such as an EKG; on occasion, you might need additional testing such as a cardiac stress test.
- Diarrhea
- Pregnancy
- Kidney StonesGout is a common, recurrent condition of joint inflammation in which crystals of uric acid are deposited within joints. It is due to a uric acid overproduction or uric acid under excretion by the kidneys resulting in higher uric acid blood levels. More commonly seen in men than women, it most often appears in the big toe joint but can involve any of the joints of the limbs. If gout is left untreated, the joints involved may be damaged and surrounding tissues also may become inflamed. Kidney stones are also a possibility. Five to ten percent of the population normally have a high blood level of uric acid, called hyperuricemia, but they do not have symptoms and are therefore not considered to have gout.
- Diabetes Care
- ThyroidThere are many factors that increase the risk of gout. Some medications may cause gout, such as diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide and furosemide, and some antibiotics. Gout is more likely to appear with disorders like leukemia, polycythemia, thyroid disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, anemia, coronary occlusive disease, and blood vessel diseases. Other things to consider are a family history, age 50 or higher, male gender, obesity, trauma or surgery, emotional stress and chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Even diet can play a role as large amounts of certain foods can lead to a problem.
- UltrasoundOften used to provide relief of the inflammation and from bunion pain. Ultrasound therapy is a popular technique for treating bunions and their associated soft tissue involvement.
- MRIClinical evaluation of the ankle is performed at the initial visit. The stability of the ankle is evaluated. The amount of abnormal rotation of the joint is determined by manipulating the ankle in certain directions. This will help to identify which of the ligaments are injured and to what extent they are injured. Muscle testing is also performed to identify tendon weakness or injury. X-rays will be taken in the office to determine if there are any fractures or bone chips from the ligament tear. In some cases, usually chronic cases, special stress x-rays will be taken to determine the amount of dislocation the ankle can undergo. The more the ankle dislocates under stress, the more damage there is to the specific ligament tested. In some cases, there will be the need for an MRI to get an image of the ligaments, tendons, and the cartilage of the joint to examine the extent of the injury.
- X-Rays
- Chemotherapy
- ArthroscopyThe type of surgical correction depends on the severity of the injury to the ligaments. In some cases the stretched out ligaments can be “tightened” through arthroscopy. Small incisions at the front of the ankle allow for the introduction of a camera and a special instrument that will “shrink” the ligaments, tightening them. In most cases the ankle joint will need to be opened over the area of the ligaments in order to visualize the ligaments themselves. The ligaments can then be repaired by placing them back onto the bone in their anatomic position. In some cases a small metal anchor will be used to anchor the ligaments into the bone. This repair will tighten and strengthen the ligaments again. In some cases when the ligaments are too weakened or destroyed to repair, cadaver tendon is used to create new ankle ligaments. This tendon is routed through the bones of the ankle to reinforce the ankle.
- Wound CareNot all ulcers are infected; however if your podiatric physician diagnoses an infection, a treatment program of antibiotics, wound care, and possibly hospitalization will be necessary.
- Metatarsal SurgeryAs people age, they increasingly choose podiatric physicians. Medicare data verifies that podiatric physicians are the physicians of choice for 83 percent of hammertoe surgery, 67 percent of metatarsal surgery, 77 percent of bunionectomy surgery, and 47 percent of rearfoot surgery. Medical Economics magazine reported that 56 percent of all older patients have seen a podiatric physician.
- BunionsAn enlargement on the side of the foot near the base of the big toe (hallux). The enlargement is made up of a bursa (fluid filled sac) under the skin. The term bunion is also commonly used to describe a structural (bony) deformity called hallux abducto valgus (HAV). Bunions can be painful and can be aggravated by activity and wearing tight shoes.
- Toe SurgeryAlthough every effort is made to reduce complications, these can occur. In addition to the general complications that can occur with foot surgery, there are some specific risks with toe surgery...
- Heel SurgeryPre-surgical tests or exams are required to identify optimal candidates, and it’s important to observe post-surgical recommendations concerning rest, ice, compression, elevation of the foot, and when to place weight on the operated foot. In some cases, it may be necessary for patients to use bandages, splints, casts, surgical shoes, crutches, or canes after surgery. Possible complications of heel surgery include nerve pain, recurrent heel pain, permanent numbness of the area, infection, and scarring. In addition, with plantar fascia release, there is risk of instability, foot cramps, stress fracture, and tendinitis.
- Arthroscopy
- Ingrown ToenailsIngrown toenails can be common and very irritating and or painful. Approximately one out of five people in the United States are currently suffering from an ingrown toenail at any given time. read more >
- Reconstructive SurgeryOne of the things we are most proud of here at The Family Foot Care Center is that our mission is being accomplished daily! Since the year 2000 we have now grown to 5 locations throughout North East Georgia. With multiple doctors and a staff of over 25 employees we are able to work miracles every day. We treat everything from thickened difficult to trim toenails to severe foot deformities requiring reconstructive surgery.
- Hammertoe Surgery
- CornsInterphalangeal joint, making the toe prominent. This can affect any number of the lesser toes. In some cases, a bursa (rather like a deep blister) is formed over the joint and this can become inflamed (bursitis). With time, hard skin (callous) or corns (condensed areas of callous) can form over the joints or at the tip of the toe.
- Cyst
- UlcerA diabetic foot ulcer is an open sore or wound that occurs in approximately 15 percent of patients with diabetes, and is commonly located on the bottom of the foot. Of those who develop a foot ulcer, six percent will be hospitalized due to infection or other ulcer-related complication.
- CallusesPeople that get capsulitis may report pain, swelling, redness and the sensation of walking on a stone. If it becomes a chronic situation, the individual will develop painful calluses that seem to have a core or seed in them. These are often misdiagnosed as verruca when they actually represent a biomechanical mal-alignment of the foot that results in concentrated weight bearing under a focal boney prominence, in most cases, under the second metatarsal head. These calluses can occur under any of the metatarsal heads and often respond well to orthotics with metatarsal pads and cutouts, which are an orthotic technique that allows the more prominent metatarsal head to drop, lower than its corresponding metatarsals, thus balancing the weight bearing load and decreasing the pressure. Capsulitis may be difficult to diagnose because of the other related structures in the forefoot that can also become inflamed from biomechanical problems. Sometimes people have nerve symptom associated with the swelling that occurs with capsulitis because the swollen capsule can put pressure on the adjacent nerves. There also are numerous fluid filled tissue sacs in the forefoot called bursa. When one of these bursa becomes inflamed, we call it bursitis. We generally assume the symptoms
- EczemaPeople with atopic dermatitis often have asthma or seasonal allergies. There is often a family history of allergic conditions such as asthma, hay fever, or eczema. People with atopic dermatitis often test positive to allergy skin tests. However, atopic dermatitis is not caused by allergies. The condition tends to get worse when the person is exposed to certain triggers.
- FungusAthlete’s foot is a skin disease caused by a fungus, usually occurring between the toes. The fungus most commonly attacks the feet because shoes create a warm, dark, and humid environment which encourages fungus growth.
- LesionsIn children younger than age 2, skin lesions begin on the face, scalp, hands, and feet. They are often crusting, bubbling, or oozing rashes that itch.
- Skin CareTaking care of your skin at home may reduce the need for medications. Avoid scratching the rash or skin...
- PsoriasisNot all fungus conditions are athlete’s foot. Other conditions, such as disturbances of the sweat mechanism, reaction to dyes or adhesives in shoes, eczema, and psoriasis, may mimic athlete’s foot.
- Burns
- Sports MedicineSprains are caused by an injury to the ankle from normal walking events to sports injuries, to falls from a height. Most sprains are of the inversion type. When a patient “twists” the ankle this usually occurs with the bottom of the foot turning towards the other foot, leading the outside of the foot and ankle to roll to the ground. In some cases the foot can roll the other direction as well. During the roll there is a rotation of the foot as well. These excessive motions will pull on the ligaments with great force. Although the ligaments are strong, these forces are strong enough to do damage to the ligaments. The ligaments will either stretch out, partially tear, tear completely in the middle of the ligament, pull off its bone attachment from the ankle bone or the leg bone, or pull off a piece of bone as it tears. Depending of the severity of the injury and the rotation of the foot during the injury, 1 or 2 or all 3 of the ligaments can be injured. If the there are several sprains over a short period of time, this can lead to a weakening or laxity to the ligaments leaving an unstable ankle.
- Physical TherapyPeople are living longer and want to stay independent! As we age we become much more susceptible to falling. A simple fall for an elderly person can be devastating often leading to a hip fracture, severe concussion or even death!! Here at the Family Foot Care Center we can provide thorough falls risk screenings for our elderly patients and then implement protocol such as special braces, physical therapy, canes or walkers and education to help our elderly patients stay active and maintain their independence!
- Flatfoot Correction
- Heel Pain
- Orthotics and Prosthetic Therapy
- General PodiatryDr. Jon T Middleton is from and raised in Georgia. He did his undergrad at the University of Georgia. He went to medical school at the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine. read more >
- Achilles TendonitisAchilles tendonitis is a condition of irritation and inflammation of the large tendon in the back of the ankle. Achilles tendonitis is a common injury that tends to occur in recreational athletes. Overuse of the Achilles tendon can cause inflammation that can lead to pain and swelling. Achilles tendonitis is differentiated from another common Achilles tendon condition called Achilles tendinosis. Patients with Achilles tendinosis have chronic Achilles swelling and pain as a result of degenerative, microscopic tears within the tendon.
- Ankle InstabilityThe ankle and the foot are held together by both ligaments and tendons. The ligaments on both sides of the ankle are tightly attached to the bones. On the outside (lateral) aspect of the ankle there are 3 major ligaments. On the inside (medial) aspect of the ankle there are a complex network of several ligaments, much stronger than the lateral ligaments. They help to restrict the motion of the ankle joint. The tendons that cross the joint are attached to the muscles in the leg and into the bones of the foot. When the muscle contracts it moves the tendon that then moves the foot at the ankle joint. The ankle joint moves primarily in one direction or plane; upwards (dorsiflexion) and downwards (plantarflexion). The normal joint does not move front to back nor does it tilt on either side. When there is an injury to the ligaments they can be stretched out or torn, leading to a sprain of the ligament, weakening them. In some cases, when the rotational forces are strong enough, the ankle fractures as well. There can also be damage done to the cartilage of the ankle joint leading to a defect of the cartilage (osteochondral defect) and ankle arthritis. The tendons that cross the ankle can be injured as well, leading to a tendonitis or tendon tears. In cases that are left untreated, or in cases after many sprains in a short period of time, there will weakening of the ligaments leading to instability of the ankle. This is called lateral ankle instability. This can lead to chronic pain and loss of function, which usually will need surgical correction.
- Ankle SprainThere are areas of the body where one bone fracture is associated with another fracture at a more distant part. For example, the bones of the forearm make a circle and it is difficult to break just one bone in that circle. Think of trying to break a pretzel in just one place, it is difficult to do. Therefore broken bones at the wrist may be associated with an elbow injury. Similarly, an ankle injury can be accompanied by a knee fracture. The doctor may x-ray areas of the body that don’t initially appear to be injured.
- Bunions ProblemsA bunion is an enlargement of the joint at the base of the big toe—the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint—that forms when the bone or tissue at the big toe joint moves out of place. This forces the toe to bend toward the others, causing an often painful lump of bone on the foot. Since this joint carries a lot of the body’s weight while walking, bunions can cause extreme pain if left untreated.
- Calluses
- Diabetic Foot CareDiabetes affects millions of Americans. It particularly affects their feet in many ways. Here at the Family Foot Care Center our job is to protect your feet and keep them healthy. We do this by… read more >
- Flat FeetJust because you have flat feet does not mean you will have problems or pain. If you do have pain, there are various treatment options available. If you only have one foot that has a flat arch, it may be due to another problem and you should get it checked out.
- Fungus ToenailsFungi like a warm, moist and dark environment (like inside a shoe). A fungal infection in your toenails may cause the nails to become discolored, thickened, crumbly or loose. There are different causes and it is difficult to treat due to the hardness of the toenail.
- HammertoesHammertoes occur when the smaller toes of the foot become bent and prominent. The four smaller toes of the foot are much like the same fingers in the hand. Each has three bones (phalanges) which have joints between them (interphalangeal joints). The toes form a joint with the long bones of the foot (metatarsals) and it is this area that is often referred to as the ball of the foot.
- Heel SpursA heel spur is a calcium deposit on the underside of the heel bone. On an X-ray, a heel spur protrusion can extend forward by as much as a half-inch. Without visible X-ray evidence, the condition is sometimes known as “heel spur syndrome.”
- Heel Pain
- Foot Pain
- Foot InfectionsAbout 5 percent of the US population has foot infections, including athlete’s foot, other fungal infections, and warts each year.
- Ingrown ToenailsIf you are suffering from foot pain or an ingrown toenail or would just like to have your foot health evaluated chances are there’s a location just down the road from you ready to provide you or your family member high quality palliative, medical, or surgical foot care right now!
- Foot Injuries
- Toenail ProblemsPodiatric physicians provide treatment for 82 percent of corn and callus problems, 65 percent of toenail problems, 63 percent of bunion problems, 46 percent of flat feet or fallen arches problems, and 43 percent of toe/joint deformities.
- Plantar FasciitisHeel pain can be extremely frustrating and prevent you from enjoying the simplest things in life. Most heel pain is caused by an over use injury known as Plantar Fasciitis. Ninety percent of people with heel pain will respond to conservative (non-surgical) treatments. read more >
- Podiatric DeformitiesUlcers form due to a combination of factors, such as lack of feeling in the foot, poor circulation, foot deformities, irritation (such as friction or pressure), and trauma, as well as duration of diabetes. Patients who have diabetes for many years can develop neuropathy, a reduced or complete lack of ability to feel pain in the feet due to nerve damage caused by elevated blood glucose levels over time. The nerve damage often can occur without pain and one may not even be aware of the problem. Your podiatric physician can test feet for neuropathy with a simple and painless tool called a monofilament.
- Podiatric SurgeryYou are here because you are experiencing discomfort caused by one or several foot ailments. In some cases, surgery is required to correct the condition and relieve your pain. Surgery, as practiced in this office, does not usually mean overnight hospitalization, incapacitation, or discomfort. The objective of ambulatory foot surgery is to aid the sufferer with a minimum of inconvenience, discomfort and expense.