Online Learning Room

At Regional Foot & Ankle, we want to provide a comfortable experience for all of our patients. So we put this page together to help you learn how better to manage your foot and ankle health.

What is a Podiatrist?

A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine is a specialist who provides medical diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle problems.

Four years of undergraduate training and four years of podiatric medical school is required to obtain a podiatric medical degree. Additionally, completion of an approved residency program is required along with sub-specialty fellowships. State and national exams are also required as well as board qualification and certification.

The demand for Podiatric physicians is increasing due in large part to the growing epidemics of diabetes and obesity. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, foot and ankle disorders are among the most widespread and neglected health problems affecting people in this country today.

Typically, Podiatrists

  • Consult with the patient and other physicians on preventing and treating foot and ankle problems.
  • Diagnose and treat soft tissue and bone tumors, different types of lower leg and foot ulcerations, foot and ankle fractures, skin and nail diseases, and congenital deformities.
  • Perform surgeries to correct or remedy foot and ankle problems.
  • Prescribes or fits patients with orthotics to correct low back pain, hip pain, knee pain, ankle or foot pain, and walking patterns.

Identifying Foot & Ankle Problems

Foot and ankle problems usually fall into the following categories

  • Acquired, from improper footwear, physical stress, or small foot/ankle mechanical changes.
  • Arthritic, involving one or more joints.
  • Congenital, occurring at birth, generally inherited.
  • Infectious, caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal disorders.
  • Neoplastic disorders, tumors which are the result of abnormal growth of tissue and may be benign or malignant.
  • Traumatic, foot and ankle injuries.

Avoiding Foot & Ankle Problems

Proper stretching is essential before exercise. Muscles should be properly warmed up to prevent injury. Stretching exercises should take 5-10 minutes and be conducted in a stretch/hold/relax pattern without any bouncing or pulling. Stretch the propulsion muscles in the back of the leg and thigh and the anterior muscles.

Some effective stretching exercises include

  • The wall push-up. Face a wall three feet away, feet flat on the floor, knees locked. Lean into the wall, keep feet on the floor, hold for 10 seconds as the calf muscle stretches, then relax. Do not bounce. Repeat five times.
  • The hamstring stretch. Put your foot, with knee straight, locked on a chair or table. Keep the other leg straight with knee locked. Lower your head toward knee until muscles are tight. Hold to a count of 10, relax. Repeat five times, switch to the other leg.
  • Lower back stretch. In a standing position, both legs straight, feet spread slightly bend over at waist and attempt to touch palms of your hands to floor. Hold 10 seconds, repeat 10 times.

Protect your Feet and Ankles by Stretching Your Calves

Excessive tightness of the calf muscles contribute to foot and knee problems. Calf muscle stretching is useful in treating and preventing foot disorders and problems.

Two typical methods for stretching your calf muscles include:

  • The conventional method most runners use while facing and leaning into a wall.
  • An alternative method. Stand two feet from wall, turn feet inward, lean forward into wall, keep heels on floor and knees extended. Keep your back straight, don’t bend at hips. Hold stretch 10 seconds, repeat 10 times.