Tag Archives: athletic injuries

Get To Know Your Doctor: Dr. Kirk Woelffer

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Are you a music lover? 

Celebrating his 19th year at Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center, Dr. Kirk Woelffer is known for his warm personality and fun sense of humor. He loves his job and it shows. Dr. Woelffer is crazy about cars and sports, and he sings in a classic rock band. He shares these interests with his wife Christina, and their three kids.

Here’s a little more about the man who serves as the official podiatrist for NCFC Professional Men’s Soccer, North Carolina Courage Professional Women’s Soccer and Carolina Ballet.

5 Questions With Dr. Woelffer:

What was your first concert?

Prince, 1984, Minneapolis, Minnesota (where I am from). The Purple Rain Tour. It was awesome! I was 14. My buddy’s mom dropped us off in her cool Dodge van, not minivan, and waited for us in the parking lot until it was over. We were too young to be there– it was perfect!

What’s your favorite part about your job?

Giving people a hope-filled plan for a healthy future. I love seeing people achieving their fitness goals.

What chance encounter changed your life forever?

Meeting Dr. Robert Hatcher. He gave me my job here, and he guided me every step of the way to this great place I LOVE working at every day.

What’s the best thing you got from your parents?

They gave me a philosophy to be positive about everything. They would say, “If you believe you can do it, you probably can.” It even feels good to say it now, as a grown-up!

What skill would you like to master?

I would love to be able to play the piano– I have taken lessons 3 times in my life! Turns out it takes practice. 🙂

Dr. Woelffer earned his bachelor’s degree at St. Olaf College, attended medical school at Des Moines University, and completed his surgical residency at Deaconess Hospital in St. Louis. He is Board Certified in Foot Surgery and Reconstructive Rear-Foot/Ankle Surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, and he is a Fellow in the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Dr. Woelffer is also an Associate of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine. To learn more about Dr. Woelffer, click here.

If you or a loved one is experiencing foot or ankle pain, Dr. Woelffer would be happy to come up with a plan to get you back on your feet quickly. Schedule an appointment with him today at (919) 850-9111.

Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center is a division of Foot & Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic, LLC. 

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

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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.

 

Injury Prevention Made Easy

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Did you know you should ALWAYS wear shoes… even at home? Check out Dr. Jordan Meyers’ easy and practical tips for “Injury Prevention Made Easy.” He provides some great tips for the home, office and gym to keep you from needing emergency podiatric care. Read it here.

Sports Medicine: Stay in the Game

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Sports Medicine can help everyone from gym class heroes to Superbowl stars. Check out Dr. Kirk Woelffer’s tips on how to keep athletes of all ages in the game. He shares great, non-invasive podiatry treatments including custom orthotics and Shockwave which can help you get back on your feet quickly. To read the article, click here.

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. 🙂 

In the News: Celebs Have Foot Problems, Too

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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.

In the News: Achilles Tendon Rupture

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If you watch football, you might have seen that former Carolina Panthers wide receiver (and current Baltimore Raven) Steve Smith tore his Achilles tendon in a football game against the San Diego Chargers. After catching a pass, Smith went to the ground and clutched his lower leg. He had to be helped off the field by Ravens athletic trainers. It was later announced that the torn Achilles tendon has brought Smith’s season to an end.

The podiatrists at Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center frequently treat sports-related injuries like these. Here are some common questions we answer about this injury:

What is the Achilles tendon?

The Achilles is the major tendon located at the back of the ankle. It connects the ankle to the muscles in your lower leg.

What causes the Achilles tendon to tear?

Excessive strain. It’s usually seen in athletes (like Steve Smith) who are very active and put a lot of strain on their lower leg and ankle.

How do you treat a torn Achilles tendon?

Usually surgery, sometimes putting a cast on the leg can help, too.

How is this different from Achilles tendinitis? Are they related?

Tendinitis is an irritation of tendon fibers but the tendon is still intact, not torn or ruptured. A rupture is when the tendon completely tears and is usually a lot more painful. Click here for more information on Achilles tendinitis and possible treatments.

How can I prevent my Achilles tendon from tearing?

It can be difficult to predict. In general, remember to warm-up and stretch before exercise.

How do I know if I need to see a podiatrist for my Achilles tendon?

One word: pain! If you ever experience pain in your Achilles tendon, or any other part of your feet and ankles, call Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center at (919) 850-9111 or request an appointment online and make an appointment today. We frequently have same-day appointments available, and we now have a second location on Blue Ridge Road which may be more convenient for you.