Are you dealing with a nasty case of plantar fasciitis?

Heel pain is a frustrating little problem, especially if you are someone who values their morning run or daily exercise routine. Even if you aren’t what you’d call an avid exerciser, you may still find that your heel pain makes moving around and going about your day more complicated than you would like. A podiatrist is the best medical specialist to turn to when heel pain becomes an issue.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a condition that causes inflammation within the thick band of tissue known as the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia runs the length of the foot along the soles from the toes to the heels and provides the arches of your feet with support and shock absorption. Unfortunately, microtears within the tissue can occur gradually over time (common in runners), leading to irritation and inflammation.

What Are the Symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis?

Those with plantar fasciitis may notice that their heel pain is at its worst first thing in the morning or after long periods of sitting or standing. The tricky thing is that the pain often subsides throughout the day, making you think you can get in your run or regular workout routine after all. The only problem with that is that the heel pain often comes back with a vengeance after exercising. Along with heel pain, you may also notice painful or aching arches.

When Should I See a Podiatrist About My Heel Pain?

We know that no one wants to make an unnecessary trip to see their podiatrist unless the situation warrants it. Of course, if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes or nerve damage in your feet and you are experiencing heel pain or any symptoms, it is important that you always seek immediate medical care to prevent the issue from getting worse.

While most healthy individuals will be able to handle their heel pain on their own, it’s also important to know when you need proper and more comprehensive care from a podiatrist. It’s important to turn to a podiatrist right away if you have severe pain, pain that makes it impossible to walk or put weight on the foot, numbness or tingling in the heel or foot, or heel pain caused by an injury.

If at-home care isn’t easing your heel pain after five days, then you should also give us a call so that we can create a more effective treatment plan for you.

Don’t let heel pain drag you down. If you are having trouble managing your symptoms and they are impacting your everyday activities and quality of life, it’s time to schedule an evaluation with a podiatrist.

Patients in and around the Bozeman, MT area, searching for a podiatrist; let Dr. Dallin Greene and Dr. Nathan Judd at Big Sky Foot and Ankle Institute handle all your foot needs.

What Is A Podiatrist?

Our feet are a few of the most important parts of our bodies. They hold us up, allow us to move, and take the brunt of our body weight all day, every day. If you’re lucky, your feet feel good and you’re using them without too much thought. For others, foot health is a constant struggle. Podiatrists specialize in diagnosing and treating all sorts of foot and ankle issues. 

A variety of conditions can arise which require a podiatrist’s expert attention. Some examples are:

• Hammertoe
• Ingrown Toenail
• Bunions and corns
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Heel Spur
• Athlete’s Foot
• Gout
• Fungal Infection
• Diabetic neuropathy

Some of these may be familiar to you or you may have experienced them. Some are quite serious and, if left untreated, could result in serious, long-term problems. With a professionally trained doctor of podiatry on your side, you’ll be able to navigate these and other bi-pedal problems. 

Feet Don’t Fail Me Now

For many patients, treatments for the feet don’t take place until the pain or discomfort is severe enough to disrupt normal activities. Podiatrists are specialists in recognizing problems in your feet, but you have to see them and let them see you before problems become dire. 

How do you know if you have a problem, though? 

We’re often the first to realize a new strain or pain in our bodies. We’re also the first to dismiss and move on. Start to listen to your body more often. If you feel something causing discomfort, something smarting in your heel or toes, give your podiatrist a call. Let them take a look and determine what the root problem is before you cause irreparable damage. 

Consult and Diagnose

Are you experiencing problems with your feet? Dr. Dallin Greene and Dr. Nathan Judd at Big Sky Foot and Ankle Institute in Bozeman, MT are ready to put your mind and body at ease. Call (406) 782-2278 today for an appointment and consultation.

When should you turn to a podiatrist for care?

There are many reasons why people turn to podiatrists. After all, our feet and ankles deserve the same lovin’ care that you provide to the rest of your body. Wondering if it’s time to see a podiatrist (chances are good you could benefit from a visit)? You may want to turn to one for,

Injury Prevention

You turn to your dentist for routine checkups to prevent cavities and gum disease from happening so why wouldn’t you do the same thing with a podiatrist? By coming in once a year for a comprehensive evaluation, a podiatrist can examine your feet, discuss your lifestyle and determine if there are additional measures you should be taking to prevent injuries and other foot problems. A podiatrist can be as much preventive as they can be a great source for treatment. Athletes and active individuals can particularly benefit from undergoing preventive care with a podiatrist.

Bunion Treatment

Bunions are common foot deformities that can continue to enlarge and impact the structure and function of your feet. A podiatrist wants to prevent individuals from needing surgery in the future, which means coming in the minute you suspect that you have a bunion so that they can provide simple lifestyle changes that can slow the progression of the deformity. Simple lifestyle changes can go a long way to improving bunion symptoms.

Foot and Ankle Injuries

Dealing with an injury? If so, you definitely want to turn to a foot and ankle specialist who can diagnose and treat the injury. While you may be able to treat minor injuries on your own with rest and home care, it’s often best to play it safe and turn to an expert who can figure out the extent of the injury so you can get the customized care you deserve.

Persistent Joint Pain

Dealing with painful, stiff or inflamed joints in your foot or ankle that won’t go away? This could be a sign of arthritis, a progressive chronic condition that can cause permanent joint damage if you don’t take the necessary steps to manage it. A podiatrist can craft the perfect treatment plan to improve your symptoms, which may include medications to slow the progression of the disease. A podiatrist is going to be the best medical professional to have on your treatment plan if you have arthritis.

When in doubt, call your local podiatrist to find out if the issues or concerns you’re facing require a professional opinion. A podiatrist can answer your questions, diagnose your issues and provide you with the treatment you need.

Find out what our podiatrists can do for you and your foot health.

Whether a foot or ankle injury or problem has already occurred, or you’re simply looking for ways to prevent problems from happening, you may be interested in turning to our Butte and Bozeman, MT, podiatrists Dr. Dallin Greene and Dr. Nathan Judd for care. Here at Big Sky Foot and Ankle Institute, we provide a full range of foot and ankle care to patients of all ages.

Detect Foot Problems Early

One of the benefits of turning to our Bozeman, MT, podiatrists for care is that we can easily detect foot injuries and problems that maybe you haven’t even noticed, whether this is an ingrown toenail, plantar wart or a developing bunion or hammertoe. By catching these problems early, we can provide you with the specialized care you need to get these problems under control and to prevent progressive conditions such as deformities from getting worse.

Treat Foot and Ankle Problems

Our podiatrists are specialists, so we have more extensive knowledge and can provide more extensive care for foot and ankle problems than primary care doctors or your regular physician. We understand the complex inner workings of the foot and ankle, from the tendons and ligaments to the muscles, nerves and bones, and can provide you with the best treatment options.

Analyze Your Gait

How our feet strike the ground when we walk and run is important to the overall function and health of our feet and ankles. By analyzing your gait we analyze how the muscles, ligaments and joints move and work together to pinpoint problem areas in the feet, ankles, legs, hips and even lower back. After all, when one area is tight or isn’t functioning properly other areas have to work harder, which can lead to foot and ankle problems.

Provide Healthy Recommendations

From preventing toenail fungus to determining whether you could benefit from custom orthotics, our podiatry team loves to provide you with advice and tips for how to keep your feet and ankles healthy. If you have questions about caring for your feet and ankles, we are here to help.

Prevent Foot Injuries

Another benefit to turning to our podiatrists is that we can educate you on the do’s and don’ts for foot and ankle health to prevent injuries from occurring in the first place. If you are an athlete, overweight or have been diagnosed with diabetes, you may be more at risk for foot injuries, and it’s important that you turn to our Bozeman, MT, podiatrists for preventive options.

Are you interested in scheduling an appointment with our Butte and Bozeman, MT, podiatrists? If so, all you have to do is call Big Sky Foot and Ankle Institute at (406) 782-2278.

First time visiting a foot doctor? Here’s what to look for.

You don’t want to leave your foot health to just any medical professional. While your regular doctor may be able to treat more minor foot and ankle issues, they won’t be able to provide you with the specialized care that our Bozeman, MT, foot doctors Dr. Dallin Greene and Dr. Nathan Judd can. Wondering if we’re the right foot doctors for your needs? Here are some things to consider when choosing a podiatrist,

Their Location

We know that people spend a lot of time commuting and the last thing they need to do is also spend more time in the car getting to a doctor’s appointment. That’s why the convenience of location is incredibly important when finding a podiatrist that you trust. Here at Big Sky Foot & Ankle Institute, we’re all about serving our community. This is why we offer four locations in Butte, Anaconda, Dillon, and Bozeman, MT. Our foot doctors want to be able to provide quality care to more patients by offering two convenient locations. Look up our offices to see how close your nearest foot doctor is.

Their Services

From routine checkups to diabetic ulcers and foot surgery, our Bozeman, MT, foot doctors are equipped to handle it all. We offer a full range of foot and ankle services here in Big Sky Foot & Ankle Institute to meet everyone’s needs, no matter their age, background, or lifestyle. We work with patients of all ages providing swift diagnoses, customized treatment plans, and gentle, compassionate care. When it comes to finding a foot doctor that you can trust, check out their services to make sure they align with what you’re looking for.

Their Hours

It’s also important that you find a foot doctor that offers office hours that coincide with your schedule. We know that with more people working from home these days it may be a little easier to get into our office for care during normal work hours. We are open 8 am-4:30 pm Monday through Thursday, and 8 am-12:30 pm on Fridays. Our Butte office is closed on the weekends. If you have questions about our hours at other locations, don’t hesitate to give us a call and ask. We can work with your schedule to find an appointment slot that works best for you.

If you are on the hunt for a highly respected foot doctor in Butte or Bozeman, MT, Dr. Greene, and Dr. Judd are here to provide you with the care your feet deserve. To schedule an appointment, call Big Sky Foot and Ankle Institute at (406) 782-2278.