We look forward to serving you and to doing all that we can to make your visit to the Foot & Ankle Specialists of West Michigan pleasant and highly beneficial. Before your appointment, you may have a few questions about our practice, or about podiatry in general. Please take a few minutes to review the information below; if you don't see what you're looking for, don't hesitate to contact us.

Some of the foot ailments we treat include:

Ankle Sprains
Ankle sprains occur when an off-balance foot landing causes stress to ligaments around the foot or ankle bones. Sprains may be minor, requiring only rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), but severe sprains may require a cast or surgery. For information on ankle sprains, please click below.

Arthritis
Age, injury, and daily wear and tear may all cause the lining where bones meet to break down, resulting in stiffness and pain in these joints. Degenerative arthritis is fairly common; a podiatrist can evaluate the problem and determine the best treatment, from medication to surgery. For information on arthritis, please click below.

Bunions
A bunion is a lump of bone that forms at the joint at the base of the big toe. Since untreated bunions will grow and become more painful, prompt podiatric attention is important. For for more information on bunions, please click below.

Charcot Foot
Charcot foot occurs when nerves in the feet do not function well, so foot injuries may go unnoticed and worsen over time. Early diagnosis is essential, since foot deformity may occur if left untreated. For information on Charcot foot, please click below.

Children's Feet
Your child's feet and ankles are essential for running and playing, and keeping them healthy now will help avoid problems in later life. To be sure your child's feet and ankles form and grow correctly, make sure shoes are big enough, watch for changes, and get regular professional foot exams. For information on children's feet, please click below.

Clubfoot
Club foot is one of the most common congenital deformities. It occurs in about 1 out of every 1000 births. It affects males more commonly. And the cause in an otherwise healthy child is unknown. It can affect one or both feet. The foot shape at birth is pointed inward and downward giving the foot a “club” appearance

Common Nail Problems
Your podiatrist can help you with common problems of the toenails, such as ingrown, thickened, or black-and-blue nails. Treatments may range from a professional trimming to antibiotics, so see your podiatrist if you experience any pain or sudden changes in your toenails. For information on common nail problems, please click below.

Corns & Calluses
Repeated friction or pressure on a specific point of the foot will often cause the skin to thicken, leading to a corn or a callus. Corns appear on the top or side of a toe, and calluses on the bottom of the foot. For for more information on corns and calluses, please click below.

Cracks and Fissures
Feet that are too dry or too moist may cause the skin to break, resulting in cracks or fissures. This potentially painful condition leaves the feet open to fungus or bacteria. For information on cracks and fissures, please click below.

Diabetic Footcare
Diabetics are especially prone to foot problems such as infections, ulcers, and gangrene, and must take extra care of their feet each day. Working closely with a podiatrist will help patients with diabetes keep their feet in the best possible shape.

Flat Feet
When the supportive arch of the foot loses strength and begins to collapse, the foot may flatten, straining the joints at both ends of the foot and leading to pain and walking difficulties. Many causes, from heredity to trauma, may result in flat feet; a podiatrist will advise the best treatment. For information on flat feet, please click below.

Ganglions
A fluid-filled swelling of the lining of a joint or tendon, often occurring on the ankle or the top of the foot, is called a ganglion. Sometimes mistaken for tumors, a complete examination by a podiatrist will confirm a diagnosis and suggest treatment options. For information on ganglions, please click below.

Gout
Certain food and medications, excessive alcohol consumption, or being overweight may all cause a buildup of uric acid, one of the body's waste products. This buildup occurs in joints, especially those of the foot and ankle, bringing on a painful gout attack. For information on gout, please click below.

Hammer Toes
When toe joints buckle or curl under and do not straighten on their own, hammer toe may be the problem. Hammer toes may also cause other difficulties such as corns or calluses, and may be treated by a variety of procedures. For information on hammer toes, please click below.

Heel Pain
Heel pain is the most common problem affecting the foot and ankle. Although it will often improve with rest, ignoring the pain may lead to chronic conditions. For for more information on heel pain, please click below.

Neuromas
When bones in the feet rub together, often because of ill-fitting shoes or abnormal bone movement, a nerve may become irritated and cause pain. The neuroma, which develops between the rubbing bones, requires professional attention; your podiatrist may recommend nonsurgical or surgical methods of treatment. For information on neuromas, please click below.

Peripheral Neuropathy
Diseased nerves in the feet may cause feelings of burning or pins and needles, or loss of feeling in the feet. This foot ailment should not be left untreated, as infection from unnoticed cuts or deformity from poorly healed fractures may result. For information on peripheral neuropathy, please click below.

Plantar Fasciitis
Poor foot mechanics, such as flattening too much or too little, may strain the plantar fascia, a ligament-like band on the bottom of the foot. Plantar fasciitis may result, causing pain when walking or standing. For information on plantar fasciitis, please click below.

Pressure Ulcer
Thickened skin on the bottom of the foot, caused by force or friction, forms a callus that may kill healthy foot tissue, potentially resulting in a pressure ulcer. These open wounds easily become infected, and prompt professional care is essential. For information on pressure ulcers, please click below.

Sports Medicine
Exercise is wonderful for your body and mind. However, sporting activities can put a great deal of stress on your feet and ankles, sometimes leading to injury. A podiatrist can evaluate old or new injuries, and lay out a plan for recovery.

Surgery Consultation
From common to complex foot and ankle problems, some ailments may require surgery for maximum improvement and pain relief. Whether it is a fracture from an injury, or problems stemming from flatfeet, arthritis, or diabetes, a podiatric surgeon will help you feel your best.

Tendonitis
Overuse of muscles may strain the soft tissue that connects them to the bone, resulting in tendonitis. This damage adds up over time, and may occur in various areas of the foot and ankle, causing pain and perhaps limiting activities. Avoiding overuse is the best way to prevent tendonitis. For information on tendonitis, please click below.

Warts
Warts are rough or spongy growths on the feet caused by a virus. The physicians at Foot & Ankle Specialists have two advanced and highly effective methods for treating warts: CO2 laser surgery and pulsed-dye vascular laser wart removal. For information on warts, please click below.