When to See an Orthopedist about Foot and Ankle Problems

Some patients are confused about what kind of foot and ankle issues we treat at Golden State Orthopedics & Spine. The answer is all of them—from bunions to sprains to total ankle replacement.

GSOS is uniquely organized to treat all health issues related to the foot and ankle. If it’s below the knee, we treat it.

Both of us specialize in foot and ankle orthopedics and we’ve trained our physician assistant David Brand to help us treat a variety of foot and ankle problems. Between us, we handle all foot and ankle issues and are uniquely skilled to follow through on all aspects of care.

A patient will often say, I have a foot problem but I don’t want to bother you with it. No, please do bother us with it. Many people—even other doctors—assume that an orthopedist specializing in foot and ankle issues doesn’t want to take care of bunions or hammertoe. That’s not the case.

If you have any ailment in this area, it’s important to have it examined. Foot and ankle issues tend to get worse if left alone, not better. Some issues can be corrected by foot strengthening exercises or changing the kind of shoes you wear.

Other issues can be more complex, requiring special knowledge and training to properly treat them. As specialists in foot and ankle orthopedic medicine, we have a normal medical degree, plus five years of orthopedic training that includes extensive work in biomechanics and wound healing. We also served a one-year fellowship in foot and ankle surgery.

It’s not unusual for people with foot and ankle problems to suffer needlessly because they shy away from treatment. Patients often say that they’ve heard that foot and ankle surgery doesn’t work, that it’s horrible, and patients don’t do well. If that were the case, then we wouldn’t be in business, and we would hate our jobs. If a properly trained orthopedic surgeon does the right procedure on the right patient—one who is a good candidate for that particular procedure—then the chances for a successful outcome are very good.

That’s why we encourage you to come to see us at Golden State Orthopedics & Spine if you have one of the following foot and ankle issues:

• Fractures, dislocations, sprains, torn ligaments and tendons
• Poor joint or muscle function due to injury or disease
• Need for surgery
• Arthritic conditions of the ankle and foot
• Sports injury problems
• Braces and orthotics
• Heel pain
• Achilles injuries
• Post-traumatic disorders
• Deformities such as clubfoot, bunions, hammertoe, flat feet, and adult acquired flatfoot
• Diabetes-related foot problems
• Nerve disorders
• Pediatric issues.

Call GSOS at (925) 939-8585 or make your appointment online today, and take the first step towards better health.