Luckily, we are highly skilled in treating a variety of conditions and issues. Whether you have slight discomfort or severe pain, we can provide you with care that allows you to live the lifestyle you want!
These are just some of the conditions, treatments, and services you will find at our podiatric office. Just ask us if you have any questions!
Bunions
A bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. They can develop from an inherited structural defect, excess stress on your foot, or can result from an existing medical condition.
For the most part, bunions require no medical treatment. However, if you are experiencing one or more of the following, a podiatrist can help alleviate your symptoms.
Corns
Corns tend to be smaller than calluses and are the hard center is surrounded by irritated skin. While corns can be found on the bottom of the foot where pressure is usually applied, it is more common that you find corns on the tops and sides of your toes and even between your toes. When pressure is applied, corns can cause significant pain and discomfort.
Hammertoes
Hammertoe is a deformity where one or both joints of the second, third, fourth or fifth toes begin to bend outside of their normal alignment. Pressure can begin to weigh heavy on the toes as you wear shoes which is where pain and other symptoms develop.
Hammertoes typically begin with small symptoms and deformities and continue to worsen with time. In its beginning stages, hammertoes are often impressionable which means they can be controlled using minimal treatment. It is important to know the signs of hammertoes to get them evaluated early. If left untreated, hammertoes can become more firm and difficult to manipulate, requiring surgery.
Diabetic Foot Care
Daily preventative care can help you decrease your risk of developing these other serious conditions like ulcers and infections. Inspecting your feet at the end of the day to look for any abnormalities, maintaining proper hygiene, keeping your feet warm in cold weather, encouraging blood flow in the feet, and maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle can discourage other conditions from developing.
Heel Spurs/Plantar Fasciitis
Heel spurs occur in at least 50% of people who have plantar fasciitis. Past treatments for heel spurs, a bony growth that begins on the front of your heel bone and points toward the arch of your foot, included surgery to remove the growth. Nowadays, surgery is rarely a treatment option and more plans for physical therapy, ice, and pain medications are used to treat heel spurs.
Flat Feet
Flat foot is a condition where the arches on the inside of your feet are flattened which causes the sole of the foot to touch the floor when standing upright. It is likely for flat feet to be caused by the arches not fully developing during childhood and is considered a very common and painless condition. On the other hand, flat feet can occur after an injury or from the normal aging process.
While it is common not to experience any pain or symptoms of flat feet, some people do tend to sense pain in the heel or arch area. Physical activity can irritate the area and inflame the foot along the inside of the ankle. This can be caused by the tendon that is supporting the arch being stretched as it is depreciating.
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) is a specific type of fungal infection that typically begins between the toes. A common cause of athlete’s foot is sweaty feet that are confined to tight shoes for a long period of time. Signs and symptoms of athlete’s foot include a scaly rash that usually causes itching, stinging and burning. Athlete’s foot is contagious and should be carefully monitored and treated. Athlete’s foot can easily be treated with antifungal medications, but the infection is likely to recur. Prescription medications also are available.
Ankle Sprains
A sprained ankle occurs when you twist your ankle in an abnormal way causing the ligaments holding your ankle bones together to stretch or tear. Most sprained ankles involve injuries to the ligaments on the outer side of the ankle. Treatment for a sprained ankle depends on the severity of the injury. Although you may just need proper rest and pain medications to heal, it is important to have the sprain looked at by a professional to determine the severity and proper treatment.
Wound Care
If you’re living with diabetes or chronic venous insufficiency, you may be at a higher risk of developing slow-healing wounds or infections. Fortunately, wound care treatment can promote healing and prevent more serious problems. Our goal of treatment is to relieve pain, speed up recovery, and lower your risk of infection.
Dr. Hart has over 25 years of comprehensive experience in treating a broad range of foot and lower leg ulcers and wounds. He uses a combination of conservative treatments ranging from surgical debridement also with the use of state of the art wound care products and graphs. These are specifically designed for the treatment and management of both partial and full-thickness wounds. These wound products/graphs are applied to the open area and perform as a lattice for the patient’s skin and tissue to grow and attach to, forming new skin and filling in the defective areas.
Wounds We Treat
Some causes for ulcers and wounds Dr. Hart treats include but are not limited to:
- Diabetes Type I and II
- Pressure ulcers and wounds
- Varicose Veins
- Venous insufficiency – poor circulation to feet and legs
- Chronic vascular ulcers caused by excessive swelling and edema of legs and feet
- Chronic ulcers that extend thru skin, tendon and bone
Wound Care Products
We provide a wide range of wound care products made from animal and human tissue donations. Many of these products in the past were only available only thur wound care centers, but now are available conveniently in physician offices. Physicians offices are also not currently limited to the same limitations in wound care clinics. Dr. Hart’s office can treat large wounds and several at a time on both legs, feet, heels and toes, utilization appropriate amounts and type of wound care product needed for each different ulcer or wound.
Medicare does cover these wound care products for patients who meet the criteria. Most Medicare replacement plans do not provide coverage for these effective limb saving wound care products, or only do so after the patient has paid a very large out of pocket fee first. This fact is something that patients do not know about these replacement plans but should be aware of when choosing to change off regular Medicare.
Both of Dr. Hart’s offices are only a few steps from the parking lot to our front door. Our staff are more that happy to bring a wheelchair out to the parking lot and get you from your care if you need assistance getting into our offices.
Surgery
In the majority of cases, invasive measures are not required to address common foot ailments. However, in more severe instances, surgery may be necessary. The decision to undergo surgery is determined by factors such as the degree of the condition, the level of pain that the individual is experiencing, and how they have responded to other forms of treatment in the past.
What is Foot Surgery?
Foot surgery is a specialized area of podiatry that involves using unique instruments and surgical methods to address and correct issues related to damaged or diseased tissues in your feet or ankles. By repairing or removing these tissues, foot surgery can alleviate discomfort, enhance your ability to move, and ultimately improve your overall well-being.
What Types Of Surgery Does Hart Offer?
Our patients always come first, and we take the time to thoroughly comprehend their concerns and issues to provide them with the highest level of care possible. We utilize digital x-ray technology, allowing for immediate images that our PTs can examine. Our focus is on helping our patients to achieve recovery, whether through in-office surgical procedures or leveraging our affiliations with Henry County Health Center and Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center. Below are some of the surgical options we offer to address a variety of conditions, including:
- Achilles Repair
- Bunions
- Hammer Toes
- Heel Spurs
- Painful Joints
- Neuromas
- Fractures
- Sprained Ankles
- Sports Injuries
- Amputations Calluas
Conservative Care
At Hart Foot Clinic and Wound Care we provide gentle, effective solutions for podiatric skin and nail problems. While it’s not always possible to avoid common foot problems, you don’t have to live with the pain. Find relief and professional treatment, call us today!
Nail and Skin Care
Nail and skin problems are more than just cosmetic concerns. Conditions like ingrown toenails, corns, and other common foot issues can not only cause embarrassment when wearing certain types of shoes but also result in debilitating pain that affects your daily activities. Fortunately, with appropriate treatment, you can take the necessary steps to improve the appearance and alleviate the discomfort of your feet.
Ingrown Toenails
If the corner or edge of your toenail grows into the skin, it can lead to redness, discomfort, and potentially even infection. Seeking professional treatment for ingrown toenails can effectively address the issue and reduce the likelihood of it becoming a recurring problem.
Fungal Toenails
Thickened, discolored, and painful nails are common symptoms of a fungal infection. To alleviate these symptoms and prevent the infection from spreading to other toes, seeking prompt treatment is necessary. At our clinic, we can also trim thickened toenails that are a result of a fungal infection.
Skin Conditions We Treat
- Abscesses
- Foreign Bodies
- Corns
- Calluses
- Warts
- Athletes Foot
- Hyperhidrosis – Sweaty Feet
- Edema – Swelling
Foot Pain Treatment
Your feet are your foundation. Recurring podiatric pain — mild or severe — can present a considerable problem, limiting your mobility and day-to-day activities. We provide treatment for flat feet and overpronation through the use of custom or over-the-counter orthotics. Schedule your healthy foot check-up online or by calling us today!