Podiatry
Helping you put your BEST FOOT FORWARD
NorthShore Health Centers' Podiatry services, available in Portage, Chesterton, Hammond, Merrillville, and LaPorte, bring over 125 years of combined experience in treating diverse foot and ankle conditions. Our compassionate podiatrists offer state-of-the-art treatments, addressing everything from nail and skin care to advanced surgical corrections, ensuring patients of all ages receive comprehensive care for conditions ranging from fractures to diabetic foot disorders. With a focus on proactive measures, our podiatrists guide patients toward optimal foot health, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle factors in preventing complications and enabling them to step confidently towards their well-being.
Podiatry
NorthShore Health Centers now offers Podiatry services allowing our patients to be treated for foot and ankle disease, deformity or fracture. Our Podiatrists, located in Portage, Chesterton, Hammond, Merrillville and LaPorte have over 125 years combined experience in treating a full range of foot and ankle issues from minimal treatments to the most advanced surgical corrections.
Patients of every age from newborns to seniors are provided with the latest in state-of-the-art podiatric treatments. Podiatry services include external conditions such as nail care, skin care, and diabetes management. Our podiatrists also address structural issues including ankle and foot fractures and podiatric orthopedic care for injuries such as sprains and strains.
What is a Podiatrist?
A Podiatrist is a doctor of podiatric medicine, often both a physician and surgeon, who specializes in treating conditions and injury related to the foot, ankle and structure of the lower leg.
A Podiatrist can diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, including:
- Injuries such as fractured or broken bones, sprains and strains
- Foot pain and inflammation due to arthritis or gout
- Diabetic foot disorders
- Ingrown nails and infections
- Wound care related to chronic ulcers
- Weakness, numbness or pain related to neuropathy
- Structural foot abnormalities such as bunions, hammertoe, flat feet, high arches, and tendonitis
- Skin conditions such as warts, corns, calluses, and athlete’s foot.
Benefits of Podiatry
Although some foot and ankle problems are unavoidable, there are ways to avoid foot and ankle problems. Foot problems are common in patients with diabetics, however, diabetics patients who actively work to control their blood sugar, practice proper nutrition and maintain a healthy weight are less likely to have foot and ankle problems. Smoking and obesity are often complicating factors that contribute to food and heel pain. It is also important to wearing proper shoes with plenty of arch support to ward off potential structural problems. NorthShore podiatrist can treat most foot and ankle concerns and provide counseling on maintaining healthy foot care giving patients the ability to put their best foot forward and reach their full potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Podiatrist?
A podiatrist is a medical and surgically trained physician to treat the foot and ankle. They are licensed physicians with 4 years of Podiatric Medical School training and 2-3 years of surgical residency training. They receive a degree title of DPM (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine).
What is the scope of practice for a podiatrist?
The scope of practice can vary from state to state, but here in Indiana, the scope allows care above the ankle, with ankle fractures and Achilles tendon surgeries common.
Do podiatrists accept health insurance?
Podiatrists participate in both private and public health insurance plans.
What are some common conditions that a Podiatrist might treat?
– Any skin or nail condition
– Heel pain
– Bunions
– Hammertoes
– Ankle sprains
– Tendonitis and tendon injury
– Severe injuries such as burns, crush injuries, motor vehicle accidents, and the like
– Flat feet
– Arthritis including Rheumatoid
– Nerve pain and nerve injury
– Sports injuries
– Diabetic foot care
What patient ages does a NorthShore podiatrist accept?
We accept all ages from pediatrics to senior citizens.
Do podiatrists take care of work injuries?
We do care for injuries associated with workman’s comp and personal injury.
Are there coverage limitations for foot care?
There can be coverage limitations, including coverage for things like orthotics. Also, what is known as routine foot care (often associated with seniors who have fungal nails or require diabetic foot care) has coverage limitations based on medical necessity. We work in conjunction with your primary care to certify your need for some care.
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Podiatry
Podiatry NorthShore Health Centers now offers Podiatry services allowing our patients to be treated for foot and ankle disease, deformity…