Category Archives: Podiatry

Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center team

Important Insurance Update!

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Effective January 1, 2018 the Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center will become a division of the Foot & Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic. As a result, we will no longer be a division of InStride Foot & Ankle Specialists.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

The Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center will continue to provide advanced care through a dedicated, well-trained healthcare team in a friendly, professional setting.

Your continuity of care will stay the same.

Drs. Robert Hatcher, Kirk Woelffer, Alan Boehm and Jordan Meyers, and our long-term staff members, will continue to provide you with dedicated care and professionalism.

You may have received a letter from your insurance company indicating the Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center is no longer accepting their insurance. That is not accurate. Insurance companies are legally required to send you a notification because we have concluded our relationship with InStride. However, your previously accepted insurance plan will be accepted with our transition to the Foot & Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?

Nothing. But please call us if you have any questions at 919-850-9111. It is the Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center’s vision to serve the community by providing compassionate and progressive foot and ankle care for all ages, and we feel teaming-up with the Foot & Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic furthers our vision.

Thank you for trusting us with your healthcare, and we wish you a joyful holiday season!

Doggone it! You can do this!

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Our 12 year old dog, Jake, is very patient. He can lay near the door to the basement (where his food is!) for hours. His plan is to do this daily for decades!! He is very committed. He believes in the mission.

 So should all of us. We should all stay committed, and believe in the mission. What is the mission?? The mission is to be our healthiest; to get the most out of our bodies. Yes, this takes patience. We can exercise just a little more, just a little more often. We can do it!!

 Let’s be patient, one day at a time just like Jake the dog. We are all in this together; dogs, cats, people. Let’s be patient and committed, and be the best we can be; doggone it!!

I love my feet!

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November is American Diabetes Awareness month, so I’m writing to state what is rarely heard: “I love my feet!” In my practice, I more commonly hear, “I don’t like my feet.” So sad. Feet, of all shapes and sizes, should be celebrated. Feet keep us moving, right? So, as part of American Diabetes Awareness Month I ask you to join me in proclaiming, “I love my feet!” Happy walking. 🙂

Bob Builds a Boat!

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Dr. Woelffer

After 3 months of too hot to work weather, the boat project is back on.
Projects finished

  • Dagger board trunk
  • All interior “furniture”
  • Boom and mast
  • Rudder and hardware
  • Mast step

Projects to go

  • Mast and boat rigging hardware
  • Interior and exterior paint/varnish
  • Name of boat. (Belle Lydie)
  • Launch

90% done, 90% to go!

Back to school – and sports!

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It’s that time of year again – kids and their parents are everywhere!  Soccer, dance, piano – and of course, homework!  It’s a lot.

 

And it’s a lot for the feet!  Kid’s feet get a lot of overuse this time of year – P.E. at school, dance practice, soccer cleats – keep an eye out, parents!  The tell-tale sign?  Limping around the house.  If you see your child walking funny in the kitchen, give your friendly neighborhood podiatrist a call.  We don’t need Junior missing out on the fun!

 

Many easy suggestions can keep your little person enjoying all the action.  One tip:  Keep shoes on all the time.  Shoes make feet happy!  Everyone wants happy feet. 🙂 

Embrace Technology?!

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Dr. Woelffer

Oh, man. Technology. For me, definitely a love/hate relationship with it. I both love and hate my cell phone, my electronic medical records, and even my millions of kid photos on my home computer. Ugh!

 

But I have to go with it, right? If I give up, my wife will say I’m out of touch and getting older by the minute, destined to be a grumpy old man before my time. Not good. So I soldier on, reluctantly changing passwords daily.

 

For you and your foot pain, I say join me and fight the good fight! Embrace technology! Specifically, consider MLS Laser for your painful foot problem.

 

It is the latest treatment option available to help you heal and get on with your life. Visit our website to learn more about MLS Laser Therapy or call our office to make an appointment with one of our doctors. See if MLS Laser is right for you. Embrace technology!

-Dr. Woelffer

Dr. Woelffer and the Carolina RailHawks

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SUPPORT THE HOME TEAM!

It’s that time of the year again – Carolina RailHawks time! Our home town professional soccer team is back on the field – and in first place! I encourage you to get the family and check out a game. The fun is nonstop – fireworks, kid zone activities, even real ice cream!

The best part is the soccer, world-class players going all out at top speed. It is beautiful to watch. My kids love it and so do I.

GO RAILHAWKS!

-Dr. Woelffer

To get tickets and to see the Carolina RailHawks game schedule click here.

Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center is the official podiatrist for the Carolina RailHawks. We’re honored to help treat the team’s foot problems so they are able to play at their best. If you’re part of a sports team in need of our care, we want to hear from you! Click here.

 

 

Dr. Boehm inspired by Raleigh Diabetes Support Group

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Last weekend I had the great privilege to talk to a diabetes awareness group on a Saturday morning. I’ve done this twice now and was happily surprised to see some repeat members as well as some new faces. This group is led by Mary Clark, who has done an amazing job of getting these people together for bimonthly meetings to learn a little more about diabetes, ask a few questions, and enjoy a nutritious meal together while they socialize. Not a bad way to spend a late Saturday morning!
dr b diabetes group
I was especially impressed with how engaged the group was. They asked many questions and stayed long after my lecture to talk individually. These people are really trying to do their best to control a disease that requires constant control, but they aren’t going at it alone. They have a group that helps to educate them and provide a sense of community. My discussion topic covered mainly diabetic Neuropathy, but did touch on a few other areas. I hope the attendees left with a little more knowledge. I know after spending the morning with them, I left more inspired.
~ Dr. Boehm

It’s Cold, but Go Ahead, Be Bold!

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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.

 

Why Do I Like Running?

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I, like so many of you reading this, enjoy running. It’s a great way to stay in shape, it can be a great social experience, and I think there is no better way to explore a new city. I want to share just such an experience I had on a run through Rome vacationing with my family.

I looked at a map to get a general idea of the area I wanted to cover then I walked out of the hotel lobby and hit the cobblestone streets running as I made my way toward the Spanish Steps. From there, I headed to the river, or Fiume Tevere. There was a running path just about level with the river, and I got on that path, one level below the city. What a view from the river of Roman history as I ran along that path. There were not many runners crowding the path and the sunny warm weather was perfect. I had my Garmin running because I had a distance in mind, but no time goal and wanted the sites of the city to guide my run. I had a map that I loosely followed.

I ran along the river for a few miles and took in the grandeur of the Castel Sant’Angelo, among other historic structures and surfaces. Stretching out in front of me was the sprawling Circus Maximus where the Romans held great chariot races. As I continued, I took in the Arch of Constantino and of course the breathtaking Colosseum! As I headed back to the hotel, I saw the beautiful Altar of the Fatherland and ran by the Trevi Fountain, which unfortunately was undergoing some restoration. It was then back to the hotel to get cleaned up and meet up with my family for some official touring activities. It was an amazing trip, but that run was unbelievable, one that I will reflect on for years to come.