April 14, 2021

Stay One Step Ahead of Foot Health

April is National Foot Health Awareness Month. Feet are your body’s foundation, and foot health is essential to an active lifestyle, so it’s important to know who to turn to when you need expert foot or ankle care.

Both orthopedic surgeons and podiatrists are experts in treating injuries and conditions of the foot and ankle, so you may be curious who you should see when you need treatment. There are actually more similarities than there are differences, and the specialties complement each other well.

Orthopedic Surgeon

An orthopedic surgeon specializes in the prevention of injuries and conditions of your musculoskeletal system, as well as diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. Orthopedic surgeons have extensive training of the musculoskeletal system which includes four years of medical school after completing their undergraduate degree, plus five years of education in an orthopedic residency. Some orthopedic surgeons choose to further their education in a fellowship program to become more specialized in a specific area of the body, such as foot and ankle. A fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon has additional opportunities for hands-on training in surgery and exposure to complex conditions of the foot and ankle.

Common procedures and treatments of an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon include:

  • Total ankle replacement
  • Reconstructive foot and ankle surgery
  • Articular cartilage reconstructions
  • Neuroma/nerve entrapment
  • Correction of bunions and hammertoes
  • Diabetic foot care/reconstruction
  • Arthroscopy of the ankle
  • Fracture care
  • Sports Medicine
  • Ligament and tendon repair
  • Heel pain and plantar fasciitis

Central Indiana Orthopedics has you covered when it comes to expert foot and ankle care. In addition to our board-certified orthopedic physicians who can treat foot/ankle injuries, we have two fellowship-trained orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons who have dedicated their practice to treating only the foot and ankle.

Meet Dr. Steven Herbst

 

Steven Herbst, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon at our Muncie, Anderson and Fishers offices. He has a passion for innovation, teaching and missions, and has co-designed and patented an ankle replacement implant. Dr. Herbst enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience teaching orthopedic courses nationally and internationally. His greatest joy comes from serving internationally in the missions’ field, taking annual trips to Central America with Operation Walk to perform complex lower-extremity reconstructions.

Meet Dr. Adam Lyon

 

Adam Lyon, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon at our Anderson and Fishers offices. He enjoys being hands-on in his practice, especially since patient interaction is a significant component of orthopedics. Dr. Lyon is passionate about helping his patients maintain their mobility and activity with a goal of being pain-free. He believes in a teamwork approach to care in which he works together with his patients and his team to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Podiatrist

A podiatrist provides treatment for bones, tissues and joints in the foot and ankle, as well as treatment of skin or health conditions that affect your feet, such as diabetes.

Common procedures and treatments of a podiatrist include:

  • Diabetic foot care/reconstruction
  • Neuroma/pinched nerve
  • Nail disorders
  • Correction of bunions and hammertoes
  • Fungal conditions of the foot
  • Wart removal
  • Fractures and sprains
  • Heel pain and plantar fasciitis

When should you consult with a foot and ankle specialist?

If you are experiencing the following symptoms in your foot or ankle, we can help!

  • Sudden intense pain
  • Pain when you’re NOT bearing weight
  • Limited range of motion due to stiffness, weakness or swelling
  • Numbness in the foot
  • Pain in the heel, ball or arch of the foot
  • Inability to perform daily activities without foot pain
  • Change in sensation or color of skin or toenail
  • Swelling or tenderness that persists or worsens after 2-3 days
  • If the afflicted area looks deformed, or if you have lost function

To schedule an appointment with our foot and ankle team, visit https://ciocenter.com/services/ankle-foot/ to chat with us online, or call 800-622-6575.