Category Archives: Ankle pain

Here We Grow Again: We’re Coming to Holly Springs!

Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center is pleased to announce the addition of its Holly Springs office in November 2018. The new state-of-the-art podiatry practice will open at 1004 Werrington Drive, Ste. 300 in Main Street Square along G.B. Alford Highway (Hwy 55). The practice will offer foot and ankle care for all ages. Services will include surgical and non-surgical treatment for skin and nail conditions, fractures, sprains, sports injuries, birth deformities, foreign bodies, diabetic foot care and disorders, pediatric conditions, nerve disorders, and wounds.

“Our vision is to serve the community by providing compassionate and progressive foot and ankle care for children, adolescents, and adults,” said Dr. Kirk Woelffer. “And our mission is to provide advanced care through a dedicated, well-trained healthcare team in a friendly, professional setting.”

“We offer the latest advances in technology to get you back on your feet quickly,” said Dr. Alan Boehm. “This includes digital x-rays, Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), ultrasound, 3D scanning for custom molded orthotics, and laser therapy for toenail fungus.”

The Holly Springs office will also feature an onsite nail care salon with medically trained technicians who will perform podiatrist-supervised pedicures for patients, including those with diabetes.

Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center’s surgeons Dr. Kirk Woelffer, Dr. Alan Boehm, Dr. Jordan Meyers, bring over 35 years of trusted podiatry experience. They volunteer at Open Door Clinic, Alliance Medical Ministry, and Project Homeless Connect.

“Holly Springs has seen a tremendous amount of growth, with little increase in available foot and ankle care,” said Dr. Jordan Meyers. “Making time to go to the doctor is challenging enough, so we are excited to provide advanced foot and ankle care a little closer to home for all the great people in Holly Springs and its surrounding areas. This also provides an opportunity for us to not only offer great medical care, but contribute and give back to the community through various avenues of charitable work.”

Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center plans to open the Holly Springs satellite office on November 12, 2018. For more information call (919) 850-9111 or visit www.RaleighFootAndAnkleCenter.com. Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center is a division of Foot & Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic, LLC.

 

It’s Cold, but Go Ahead, Be Bold!

Happy New Year! I’m sure that a lot of you made New Year’s Resolutions to improve your quality of life, especially related to your health. Many of us strive to eat more fruits and veggies, eat less snacks and chips, and of course, get more exercise. Maybe you’re just starting out, or maybe you’re already physically active and want to run your first marathon.

One thing always seems to get in our way: cold, dark weather. It can be very discouraging! How do I keep active when it’s cold and dark outside? The answer: take little bites! Plan a schedule with short walks or runs every evening or morning. You’ll avoid complete darkness and decrease your chances of overuse injuries like plantar fasciitis. Long runs in pitch-black darkness are a bad idea. If you do run in the winter evening hours, make sure you run in well-lit areas and wear bright, reflective clothing. Not only will cars be able to see you, but you’ll be able to see any obstacles in the road that might trip over if unseen.

Make a schedule of easy to complete short exercise events. Get fresh air, burn calories, and stay fit until daylight hours increase. Spring will be here before you know it!! And you’ll be ready. And if you ever have any foot or ankle pain, whether you’re exercising or not, remember that it’s not normal. Thankfully we’re here to help. You can call us at (919) 850-9111 to make an appointment for any exercise-related injuries, or you can fill out our form to request an appointment online.

 

Gear Up for Running Outdoors This Winter

Gear up for running outdoors this winter. You may be wondering, how will I run in the brutal cold of North Carolina winters?! Maybe the use of the word “brutal” is a bit out of place, but still never underestimate the cold and what it can do to your body. Use these tips to make sure your feet, and the rest of you, are prepared to battle the elements.

Let’s get started with what we like to discuss the most, your feet! To keep your feet warm we recommend using shoes with the least amount of slush. Ideally, the uppers of the shoe will also have GoreTex lining to help keep out the slush. SmartWool socks are also very important to help wick away sweat but hold in as much warmth as possible. You don’t want to get blisters! You should also have some common sense: if there is snow and ice on the ground, maybe run on the treadmill that day instead. One misstep and a slip on the ice could result in a sprained ankle or worse!

Your innermost layer needs to be snug fitting and sweat-wicking. Outer layers should be waterproof, windproof, and be able to cool as well as you get further into your run and your body starts to warm up. Make sure to always protect your face, head, and extremities with layers. Generally, many expert running guides recommend at least 2 top and one bottom layer for 30 degree temperatures, 2 tops and 2 bottoms for 10 to 20 degree temperatures, and 3 tops and 2 bottoms for zero to 10 degree temperatures. If you are in North Carolina running in temperatures below zero, then you deserve to wear as many layers as you want, and a medal for dedication!

It’s also important to warm up well before you run. You need to get moving and get the blood flowing so the cold won’t feel quite as cold, and your body will be more prepared for your run with less chance of injury. Don’t forget you still need to layer to deal with wind and rain, and also make sure to wear bright clothes so you can be seen!

Don’t focus on training to push yourself for record times, but instead focus on the fact that you are staying motivated and still training against the elements and keeping your endurance up. And most important of all, listen to your body. If you start to tire or feel exhausted, take a break. Pushing yourself too hard can cause injury like sprained ankles or Achilles tendinitis. Run safe during the winter months, and come see us at Raleigh Foot and Ankle Center if you are having any foot or ankle pain! Call us at (919) 850-9111 or visit our website to request an appointment.

In the News: Celebs Have Foot Problems, Too

Last week was a bad one for famous feet. You may have seen that pop singer Taylor Swift was recently photographed at a concert on the Asian leg of her 1989 tour wearing an ankle brace – and she was still wearing her high heels on stage! Swift officially has Achilles tendinitis, also known as inflammation of the Achilles tendon.

If you have Achilles tendinitis you’re probably feeling pain where the tendon attaches to the heel bone, or along the back of your ankle. The injury usually occurs due to chronic, repetitive strain. In Swift’s case, wearing sky-high heels every night on stage for the duration of her world tour probably did the trick.

It wasn’t a good weekend for feet in the world of sports, either. Among the casualties is Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, who left the game on Sunday with a foot injury that turned out to be plantar fasciitis. Manning actually has a partial tear in the plantar fascia of his left foot. The Broncos will not start him in their next game against the Chicago Bears.

Plantar fasciitis is also inflammation of a ligament, but the plantar fascia is on the bottom of your foot. If you have it, you probably describe it as heel pain, but you may also feel pain along the arch of your foot. Sometimes the pain improves with activity, but over-use of the foot can make it worse. It can be very, very painful!

So what can you do if you think you’re suffering from Achilles tendinitis or plantar fasciitis? You can always call Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center at (919) 850-9111 and ask to see one of our board-certified podiatrists. You can also request an appointment online. Our doctors will give you a thorough exam and then discuss possible treatments with you. Rest is almost always part of the answer – in Swift’s case, they would probably recommend she stop wearing those high heels.

Remember – you don’t have to suffer from foot and ankle pain. The doctors at Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center are happy to help you with any problems you have with your feet. Call us today at (919) 850-9111 to make an appointment.