- Warts
- ArthritisBesides repeated motions, this injury can also result from inflammatory arthritis, infection, improperly-fitting shoes, gout, and injury or physical trauma. Certain people are more likely to be at risk for developing the inflammation, including older individuals and anyone who lives with systematic diseases like diabetes, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis. Having a job that uses repeated movements also will increase the likelihood of this ailment.
- Plantar FasciitisIf so, there’s a pretty good chance you’re suffering from plantar fasciitis. It’s the most common cause of heel pain for American adults, and one of our most frequently treated conditions at the Advanced Foot and Ankle Specialists of Arizona.
- Emergency CareAs a parent, you are probably used to handling the minor injuries that come with having a kid or two. From cuts and bruises to more serious injuries that require anxious hours in the emergency room, getting hurt is part of the experience of growing up and having fun.
- Diabetic Foot CareTo best accommodate your and your family’s foot care needs, we offer some of the most advanced foot and ankle treatment options available right here at our office. Whether you are suffering from heel pain that just won’t go away, or you need help putting together a comprehensive diabetic foot care plan, you can count on us to get you there!
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes Care
- MRIPrimarily affecting middle-aged to elderly people, as these lumps grow in size, they will grow in pain. Don’t wait to have your feet checked out as this condition will not resolve on its own. In addition to pain, symptoms may also include tenderness. There are a few other conditions that can cause soft-tissue masses in the foot: cysts, swollen tendons, nerve tumors, and fat tumors. To rule out any other possible conditions, your doctor may perform an MRI or X-ray of the affected area.
- X-Rays
- OrthopedicsHe completed his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Midwestern University and completed his residency from the prestigious University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Department of Orthopedics. He has also helped to train up-and-coming Podiatrists through his involvement at the Carl T. Hayden VAMC Surgical Residency Program in Arizona for the past 10 years.
- Wound CareDiabetic foot ulcers are some of the most complicated and saddest things we see at our Phoenix-area office. Despite your best foot care practices, these wounds can take months to heal with traditional wound care, and during this time you may not be able to walk on the foot normally and enjoy your favorite activities or even end up in the hospital. That’s why we are excited about amniotic therapy and the possibilities of quicker healing for your foot issues.
- Minimally Invasive SurgeryFor more serious and advanced neuromas, custom orthotics to shift your weight away from the affected area can reduce pressure on the nerve, while medication injections may reduce swelling and pain. For neuromas that do not respond to these treatments, minimally invasive surgery may be required to offer permanent relief.
- Ankle SurgeryIn those rarer cases when foot or ankle surgery is the best course of treatment, you can take comfort in knowing that our team is staffed with surgical experts. Even if the necessary procedure is extensive or complex, we will create and implement a plan that works for you.
- BunionsAdmit it: If we asked you “what does a person with bunions look like?†you’d probably imagine either an older woman, or maybe a celebrity or supermodel after wearing nothing but high heels for 15 years straight. However, you don’t necessarily have to be older, a woman, or even a fan of heels to develop this painful misalignment of the toe joint. Sometimes they can even show up in children, adolescents, and young adults, too. Fortunately, our team can help your child deal with their pediatric bunion so that they can enjoy a lifetime of healthy feet!
- GangrenePeripheral vascular disease affects the flow of blood throughout the body. When cuts and sores appear the body sends healing blood cells to the affected area. When an individual has peripheral vascular disease, this response time is slowed. Due to this process, diabetics are particularly at risk for developing gangrene and ulcers.
- Ingrown ToenailsAt Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists of Arizona, we are often able to help patients get rid of painful ingrown toenails by simply making a few modifications in footwear and other foot care habits. This may include wearing shoes that provide more room for the toes and teaching patients how to best cut their nails.
- Reconstructive SurgeryDr. Alex Stewart, is a board-certified surgeon specializing in foot and ankle trauma, diabetic care, reconstructive surgery, and sports medicine. He has been in private practice in Arizona for the past 10 years.
- Skin CancerIn the Valley of the Sun, vigilance is key when it comes to skin cancer prevention and treatment. Many people develop strange lesions and marks on the tops of their feet and around their nail beds, which are common places for cancer to go unnoticed. If you have a suspicious lesion, our practice offers dermatologic services for determining the presence of cancer and removing any cancerous growth.
- CornsPerhaps you work long hours on your feet, or maybe you’ve been wearing shoes that are a half size too small. Whatever the case may be, you’re here because you’ve developed corns or calluses. Not to fret; the Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists of Arizona have every inch of your feet covered!
- Cyst
- UlcerWhen you come in with a wound on your foot, the first order of business is to clean the ulceration to protect against infection. This process is called debridement and entails flushing the wound with warm water and carefully removing any dead skin or debris. Medication is then applied to the ulcer, and a sterile dressing will be used to cover it. This dressing will need to stay clean and dry and will have to be changed regularly.
- CallusesAs skin on your heels is affected by these factors, it grows dryer and calluses form. These hard patches of thickened skin are not pliable under the pressure of your heel’s fat pad, which expands with every step you take. The callus cracks under the stress, and a fissure is born.
- EczemaEczema—the most common skin allergy—is prominently found in children. One in five infants are actually affected by this condition, but it is only noted in about one in fifty adults.
- FungusAny warm, moist areas, especially if they are enclosed or have very little fresh air flow, are breeding grounds. This makes pool decks, locker rooms, public restrooms, saunas, gyms, and communal baths or showers high-risk places for growing and spreading the fungus to the bare feet of unsuspecting passers-by. Once on your skin, your footwear can either foster or limit its production. If your shoes limit airflow to your feet, trap sweat, or squeeze your toes together, you’re more likely to create the conditions for growth and infection.
- LesionsThe first sign of plantar warts is often a small bump or circular patch of flat, callused skin. These skin blemishes are known as lesions. They often have a rough, fleshy appearance and feel. You may notice small black spots on the skin. Those spots are dried blood.
- Burns
- Sports MedicineBut the good news is most of these injuries can be treated without needing surgical intervention. Even better, there are measures you can take to prevent sports injuries from happening in the first place.
- Physical TherapyResting the tendon is the most important factor. You may need an ankle brace or boot to stabilize the foot while it heals, especially if the pain is severe. They may recommend icing the ankle and using anti-inflammatory medications to help reduce the swelling and treat the discomfort. Once the pain has decreased and the doctor has cleared you to begin your activities again, physical therapy may be helpful for conditioning the tendon to handle the strain of exercising. In serious cases when the peroneal tendon is not responding to conservative treatments—or a tear in the tissues exists—surgery may become necessary.
- Flatfoot Correction
- Heel Pain
- Orthotics and Prosthetic Therapy
- General PodiatryWhether you suffered an injury or have been coping with chronic pain and discomfort, our podiatry practice offers patients conservative and surgical treatment options coupled with education, empowering patients with information in order to make the most complete recovery.
- Achilles TendonitisYou may understand the freedom of the open road, but do you ever take for granted your ability to walk or run on it? We don’t often pay attention to the mechanics involved in walking or running until the machine breaks down. The Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists of Arizona understand the importance of caring for the feet and ankles. We want you to continue to experience the joys of mobility and this means caring for your Achilles tendon.
- Ankle SprainNot a day goes by without an ankle being turned. In fact, an astounding 25,000 people experience this type of foot injury every 24 hours! Topping the list for one of the most common ankle injuries, ankle sprains affect people of all ages. If you’ve twisted or turned your ankle, contact the Advanced Foot & Specialists of Arizona today!
- Bunions ProblemsIt’s a misperception that bunions are always caused by old age or bad choices (like shoe use). In fact, the biggest risk factor for bunion development is genetic. Often, people inherit a faulty foot structure from their parents. That foot structure, and the way it cushions and balances weight and impact forces, might lead to weakness and instability in the joint at the base of the big toe. Over time, the toe drifts out of alignment and the bunion begins to form.
- Calluses
- Diabetic Foot CareDiabetes can affect the feet more than you think! If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with this condition, it’s important that a comprehensive diabetic foot care plan is put in place to help protect your feet and prevent dangerous complications from developing in your lower limbs.
- Flat FeetTarsal tunnel doesn’t strike out of the blue. It usually develops from overuse. Extended periods of walking, standing, and exercising strain the ankle and could cause swelling, which then squeezes the tibial nerve. Anything, however, that leads to irritation in the ankle could trap it—ankle sprains, fallen arches, flatfeet, arthritis, and diabetes included. With proper care of your feet, you don’t have to deal with inflamed nerves and the pain that comes with them. Our team can provide conservative treatments to relieve that pressure, reduce stress, and support your feet to eliminate your pain.
- Fungus ToenailsWhile most people believe toenail fungus infections to be a primarily cosmetic issue, if you have struggled with one for several years you know that it can become quite painful. Nails may initially become discolored and thick, but as the nail becomes harder and more brittle, it may begin to separate from the nail bed and crumble.
- HammertoesThe word “claw†can conjure up a variety of images, such as eagle talons, lion paws, and knobby witch’s hands. They imply curved, sharp, stiff digits. Wicked witches in movies aside, people generally do not have claws; however, your toes can clench painfully into a condition called claw toe. Since you need your toes to help stabilize your feet as you walk, this problem can actually impair your mobility.
- Heel SpursThere are two forms that can develop in your heel. If the pain you experience is in the bottom of your heel and occurs when you are standing, you likely have calcaneal bursitis. This is frequently associated with excess weight, injury, heel spurs, and shoes that do not fit properly. When your heel pain is in the back and includes painful swelling, you probably have retrocalcaneal bursitis.
- Heel Pain
- Foot Pain
- Ingrown ToenailsHave an ingrown toenail that insists on coming back? We got the answers. Need a treatment option that will actually get rid of your heel pain for good? We can help you find it. Think you need surgery to address your flat foot symptoms? We can help you decide.
- Toenail ProblemsYour feet don’t have to suffer with toenail problems. There are steps you can take to relieve ingrown nail discomfort. Rather than wait until the pain is unbearable, let Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists of Arizona know when you first notice the issue. We can set up an appointment to take care of the problem.
- Pediatric Foot CareFractures and Repetitive Stress Injuries: Also common in young athletes are fractures and overuse injuries. For children involved in high-impact sports, or those who just enjoy the riskier activities in life, fractures of the foot, toes, and heel can put a serious damper on their fun. Young bones need proper care to heal correctly, and our pediatric foot care professionals can help.
- Plantar FasciitisLow Arches– Often referred to as “flat feet†, this foot type affects approximately 20% of the population. Flat feet tend to be the most flexible, which in turn makes them the most susceptible to rolling inward and over-pronation. The footprint from feet with low arches reveals almost the entire foot. Low arches are imbalanced and cause further complications such as heel and arch pain, as well as plantar fasciitis.
- Podiatric DeformitiesSimilarly, flat feet don’t develop due to lack of arch support in footwear. Instead, the structure of the feet (often passed down through genetics) is the actual culprit for causing the deformity. So if you know that your parents and/or grandparents have dealt with these foot deformities, chances are you are at risk for developing them as well. Bad shoes, however, can stillÂ
- Podiatric SurgeryDon’t let foot or ankle pain disrupt your way of life or foil your plans. Board-certified in foot surgery, Dr. Su is here to help.