What percent of patient require surgery for heel pain ,plantar fasciitis, or heel spurs? At my partice, Premier Ankle & Foot Specialists ,only 5% will need surgical management. The way to obtain relief through conservative measures is finding the combination for each individual patient. We have a ladder approach. The bottom has the most conservative and the top is surgery. Only 5% of my patient will end-up at the top of the ladder.

Many patients arrive at the office after an injury and say they have a broken bone. There symptoms can range from swelling, pain, pain on palpation, black and blue, and redness. Most patient believe something is broken because the severity of the symptoms, but may of the times the foot is sprain instead of broken. Sprains and fractures can look very different or at times similar. A fracture is a break or cortical interruption in the cortex of the bone. Sprains are soft tissue injuries to the tissue. At time it can be better to fracture instead of sprain the area.

For more information refer to www.premierwalking.com and take a look at our education page.

When a patient has surgery it is important to follow the instructions your are provided and ask any questions you may have.

One factor is the weight-bearing status. Can I place full weight, partial weight, or no weight on the foot?

Foot dressings. Should you change to dressing or maintain it?

Can you get your foot wet?

Should I use ice?

Should elevate my foot? How high?

What should I take if I have discomfort? How much and how often?

Whom and when should I call?

When is my follow-up appointment?

Can I drive?

Do I need crutches, walker, wheelchair?

What will I have on my foot? Cast, cam walker boot, surgical shoe?

These are a few of the questions to understand fully.

For more information take a look at the Education Page at www.premierwalking.com

Are your feet Different Sizes? The majority of the population have one foot being a different size. Most relates it being half a size difference on average, although I have seen patient that are a size 5 on one and 8 on another.

Females usually wear a half size small shoe than their actual foot size. This will in turn place more pressure on areas of the foot. This added force will increase the symptoms of bunions and hammertoes and generalized foot pain.

For more education feel free to browse the "Patient Education" page at www.premierwalking.com.

Summertime is the season of foot splinters. I see many patients in the office after they have developed a splinter from walking bear foot. If you should get a splinter have it looked at immediately. The earlier the foreign body is removed the less chance of infection or serous complications. Most small foreign bodies penetrated into the top layer of skin called the epidermis. If you develop bleeding at the site that represents a deeper injuries. You should see your podiatrist immediately. Most of the times these can be removed in the office and you returned to your life. If ignored they can migrate in the skin and can require surgical management.

For more information check out "Patient Education" on www.premierwalking.com