Tag Archives: foot pain

I Need Bunion Surgery – Or Do I?

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Do I need bunion surgery?

Bunions are bony bumps at the big toe and little joint areas of the foot. Usually, they are an inherited condition that worsens with age. They can be big bunions that do not hurt much, or they can be small bunions that hurt like crazy!

The key to “bunion happiness” is pain control. A goal should not be glamorous beauty, but comfortable walking. Our feet should feel good!

Podiatrists have many treatments to help bunions of all sizes. Of course, low-risk, high-reward treatments are the best starting point: proper footwear, toe splints, custom orthotics, oral and injectable medications, and physical therapy techniques.

Surgical treatment is sometimes necessary for bunions. Surgery is usually performed in a hospital or surgery center by a board-certified podiatrist, under sedation monitored by an anesthesiologist. Patients usually go home the same day, resting and taking pain medication as needed. Time off work and time off your feet will vary for different patients, but most patients can expect to return to normal activities in a few weeks.

Bunions aren’t fun to deal with, and bunion treatment never fits into our busy lives, but getting a plan from your podiatrist is a good starting point. Visit your podiatrist, and you might be pleasantly surprised about what you learn.

To schedule your appointment today, call our office at (919) 850-9111 or visit our website to request an appointment.

Home Remedy vs. Treatment: Which is Better?

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Let a podiatrist check out any foot conditions you may have.

Many of us at some point in our lives will develop a hard spot on the bottom of our foot. It could be a callus, wart, clogged sweat gland, or some other skin disorder. The key is to have a diagnosis before treatment starts. All too often we head to the drugstore and pick up a lotion to apply. A lot of money and time can be spent on trying to deal with a skin problem on the foot. After months of trying to home treat with no results, many will make an appointment with a doctor.

 

I think what most people are worried about what is involved in the treatment of their condition. Most treatments are easy and painless, but the correct diagnosis is important to focus the treatment plan. This will save you time and money. Most patients are very surprised at the end of their visit and question themselves as to why they waited so long.

 

If you are diabetic, it is especially important to have your feet inspected. That little hard spot could be the sign that a shoe is rubbing your foot, and those spots can become sores if not properly managed. Often it’s simply finding the right shoe or modifying the current shoe. The key is to get the small stuff checked out before it evolves into a bigger problem.

 

The doctors and staff at Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center are dedicated to helping you and your feet feel and look better. So the next time you notice a problem with your foot, save yourself the headache and expense of trying to deal with the problem on your own and make an appointment.

Cheers to Fall and the Beginning of Marathon Season

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Fall Marathon Runner

Cool crisp mornings and the changing of the leaves not only signifies the beginning of fall, but also the marathon season. On a recent long run, I spent some time really thinking about this season. I have a few marathons under my belt these days, but I remember my first – almost 17 years ago – like it was yesterday. Not only because it was my first marathon, but I was training and running with a beautiful young woman I had recently met (who is now my wife).

She really jump-started my passion for running long before I was a podiatrist, or even thinking about podiatry school. Thank goodness it was an amazing experience, and any runners out there that have completed a marathon can relate to that life changing moment when you push past all the pain and cross the finish line. Back then, I did not give much thought to shoes, training, or injuries. However, these days as a podiatrist that races in marathons and triathlons, this topic is high on my priority list!

Those of you out there packing on the mileage and preparing for a race, please listen to your feet. Foot pain when running is not normal and ignoring it can prevent you from finishing or possibly even starting that important race. If you are experiencing pain, get it checked out sooner rather than later. Often, there are treatments that can keep you running. Trust me when I tell you as a doctor and a runner, you do not want to train hard and miss that glorious finish. Cheers to fall!

Bare Feet are Fun! (Right?)

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Bare Foot Woes

Ah, the feeling of sand squishing between my toes as I stroll on the beach; so natural, so free. Many of us love the feeling of being barefoot. My 3 little kids live for it. It takes them hours to put on their shoes, but only seconds to take them off! The adults I meet at work as a podiatrist often feel the same way, saying, “It just feels good.” Yep. I agree. There is something special about the way being barefoot feels. Maybe it is Mother Nature telling us, “This is the way it should be.”

But, I also have lots of times when I notice my kids, my patients, and myself extolling the virtues of shoes. “These gel-air-pump-turbo running shoes I just bought feel amazing,” patients tell me. Or, I might find myself in the closet on the morning of my surgery day thinking, “Good day for my old man dress shoes today.”

So, what is better, living in supportive shoes, or living in bare feet whenever possible? The answer is different, and depends on each person’s “Achilles heel”, or problem. Generally speaking, if you have foot pain, it is best to increase your time in supportive shoes, even custom orthotics, and minimize your time barefoot or in flimsy footwear. You don’t want your feet doing the work of holding you up. Let the footwear do the work. If your feet don’t hurt, but other joints do, such as your knees, try using less supportive footwear. This will allow maximum motion in your foot and ankle joints, letting your feet perform as they were intended, as your natural shock absorbers. (This is a good situation for “barefoot running shoes”.)

Now, let’s get back to my favorite subject, my kids. Like most young people, they have pain-free happy feet. They don’t crave the benefits of support because nothing hurts—until chocolate lab Jake steps on their foot! Ouch! Yep. Being barefoot has its problems. A person is much more prone to cuts, scrapes, puncture wounds, bug bites, and nail injuries when he or she is barefoot. Trust me, I know. I have the pleasure of hearing blood-curdling screams daily from the shoe-resistant children in my house. Not to mention, I get to observe the problems with barefoot summertime fun every day at work. Bare feet can feel good, but sometimes there’s a price to pay.

Anyway, this post is not inclusive of all the good and bad associated with bare feet. (I could go on for days!) It is just a simple reminder that our feet are important and need our attention—especially if you hope to feel the sand squishing between your toes for years to come. Happy walking!

Welcome to Raleigh Foot & Ankle Center

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Hello, Everyone!

Welcome to the world of Raleigh Foot and Ankle Center. We are Doctors Robert Hatcher, Kirk Woelffer, Alan Boehm, and Jordan Meyers. Together, we make up a group of podiatrists located in Raleigh, North Carolina. We aim to provide quality foot and ankle care, both surgical and nonsurgical, in a comfortable, friendly setting. Online, our goal is to provide a little bit of education, a little bit of fun, and a little bit of inspiration. The kicker: it’s all foot-related!

So, before we get started, you probably want to meet the doctors.

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Dr. Hatcher is from Wilmington, NC and graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Zoology. He obtained a graduate degree in physiology from the University of Georgia before heading to medical school at the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. He then went on to receive his surgical training from Northlake Hospital in Chicago. He is board-certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery in Foot and Ankle Surgery and is a Fellow in the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

Hobbies: Fly-fishing, gardening, and photography

Favorite Shoes in My Closet: Keen’s from REI for gardening (great support and waterproof)

Dr. Woelffer hails from Mound, Minnesota. He graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota before heading off to medical school at Des Moines University in Iowa. Once he completed his surgical training at Deaconess Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, he had the opportunity to work in Germany and Austria as a European Fellow for the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. He later moved to North Carolina to join Raleigh Foot and Ankle Center, and once here met and married his wife Christina. They have 3 adorable kids.

Hobbies: Sports, music, classic cars, and watching Minnesota Vikings football

Favorite Shoes in My Closet: All-black Nike high-top basketball shoes

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Dr. Boehm is originally from Sandpoint, Idaho, but being a part of a military family gave him the opportunity to spend time all over the country, as well as four years in Japan during his childhood years. He spent his high school and college years in Georgia, before moving up to Philadelphia to obtain a degree in Podiatric Medicine from Temple University. He then completed his surgical foot and ankle residency at Temple University Hospital as a part of an intensive four-year program. Dr. Boehm is one of the only four-year-trained podiatric surgeons in the Triangle.

Hobbies: Marathons, triathlons, golf, cycling, and music

Favorite Shoes in My Closet: Brooks Glycerin running shoes

Dr. Meyers was born in Tucson, Arizona but moved to North Carolina early on, where he spent most of his life. He went to East Carolina University, where he obtained degrees in Athletic Training and Chemistry, before going to Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia. He then moved on to Louisville, Kentucky, where he completed his surgical training in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at the University of Louisville Hospital and KentuckyOne Health. Dr. Meyers, the newest addition to our group, is excited to be back “home” in the Triangle area.

Hobbies: His family, ice hockey, snowboarding, and golf

Favorite Pair of Shoes in My Closet: Hockey skates

Now that you’ve met us, let us know what you think! Drop us a line in the comments section, find us on social media, or check out the contact page on our website!