It can be hard to know where to turn for reliable information about diagnosing and treating common foot and ankle problems. You can trust our podiatrists to provide the most up-to-date information available when answering Frequently Asked Questions. If the answers you need are not here, please give us a call.

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  • How do perinatal tissue injections work?

    Because perinatal tissue is meant to nourish a growing fetus, it’s packed with growth factors, proteins, and other nutrients that are absolutely critical for the tissue growth and regeneration process. A single injection into an area that is experiencing pain can dramatically accelerate the healing process by giving your cells exactly what they need to conduct repairs, and even “recruit” neighboring stem cells to join the cause.

    Are You Looking for a Perinatal Tissue Care Specialist in Austin, TX?

    If you are looking for perinatal tissue care, you should reach out to an experienced podiatristAustin Foot and Ankle Specialists can help. Our office provides a wide variety of advanced, effective treatment options for all kinds of painful conditions. Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact us online or call our Austin office at 512.328.8900.

  • What is perinatal tissue?

    The term “perinatal” literally means “around birth,” and the word is usually used to refer to the time period just before and after birth—usually from a few weeks before to a few weeks after.

    Perinatal tissue, however, refers to the organs and tissues that surround and nourish a child in the womb—such as the amniotic sac and tissue, amniotic fluid, umbilical cord, and placenta.

    Perinatal tissue injections, as you might imagine, are made from this tissue—after it’s been carefully screened, processed, and preserved.

    Are You Looking for a Perinatal Tissue Care Specialist in Austin, TX?

    If you are looking for perinatal tissue care, you should reach out to an experienced podiatristAustin Foot and Ankle Specialists can help. Our office provides a wide variety of advanced, effective treatment options for all kinds of painful conditions. Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact us online or call our Austin office at 512.328.8900.

  • What's better: a full- or partial-length orthotic?

    To a large degree, this falls under preference rather than right or wrong. There are advantages to both styles.  Whenever possible, we suggest that your doctor goes with a full-length orthotic because it will not slide or shift in your shoes and therefore is more efficient. With that being said, a possible disadvantage of a full-length orthotic may arise when switching from shoe to shoe. Because the shape of the toe area varies from one shoe to another, an orthotic may fit perfectly in one shoe but not in another shoe you may wish to wear. Conversely, a partial-length orthotic does not have this issue and can be easily transferred from shoe to shoe.  However, this style has a tendency to shift or move in the shoe until it has been worn for a time and allowed to “settle into” the shoe.  This is usually only a factor in the first week or two of wear. 

    You Might Need More Than One Orthotic 

    The advantage of being able to wear an orthotic in various shoe or sneaker styles does have limits.  An orthotic made for some shoes will function differently than an orthotic made for a sneaker. Orthotics made for dressy or fashionable styles are often too narrow to function correctly in what usually is a larger sneaker, work boot, or conservative dress shoe. This is why many people ultimately get more than one pair of orthotics as they do not like to go without the support and comfort that the orthotics provide for any length of time.

    Are You Considering Custom Orthotics in Austin, TX?

    If you are considering custom orthotics, you should reach out to an experienced podiatristAustin Foot and Ankle Specialists can help. Our office provides a wide variety of advanced, effective treatment options for all kinds of painful conditions. Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact us online or call our Austin office at 512.328.8900.

  • How long do orthotics last?

    Although this varies, our experience has shown us that orthotics last for many, many years—five to ten for most people. The top cover that overlies the actual plastic orthotic usually lasts from six months to five years or more for most people – depending on such variables as activity and time-worn. For example, a full-time construction worker will wear their orthotics differently than an administrator who spends much of their day behind a desk. With that being said, many people go for years without wearing down their top covers to any degree. The good news is that it is relatively inexpensive to replace the top cover and “refurbish” your orthotics once every year or two.

    You Might Outgrow Your Orthotics as Your Condition Improves 

    As a general rule, depending on the severity of your instability, once you “break-in” the orthotics and they have been assessed or adjusted by your doctor, the orthotics will not move or change much over time. In some instances, if your instability is rather severe, you can achieve a better structural position with your feet over time. In this case, you may choose to be reassessed by your doctor in a year or two and, in some instances, a better degree of correction can be attained.

    If this is the case, a new orthotic made in an even more corrected position can improve your alignment even further and thereby allow you even better results. The great thing about this type of custom orthotic is its ability to be adjusted. In many instances, a similar result can be achieved by a simple adjustment that your doctor can many times do in the office while you wait. It is because of these factors that you should follow up with your doctor and have your orthotics and your structural position assessed periodically so that you can maximize your results and your functional capacity to the greatest degree possible.

    Are You Considering Custom Orthotics in Austin, TX?

    If you are considering custom orthotics, you should reach out to an experienced podiatristAustin Foot and Ankle Specialists can help. Our office provides a wide variety of advanced, effective treatment options for all kinds of painful conditions. Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact us online or call our Austin office at 512.328.8900.

  • What are the benefits of orthotics?

    From pain relief to biomechanical corrections, there are many benefits of orthotics for those with foot problems. An orthotic device slipped into your shoe can redistribute weight and reduce pressure in bothersome areas. This helps to alleviate pain and discomfort caused by conditions like plantar fasciitis, for example.

    Orthotics also provide additional support for arches and ankles, increasing stability and possibly even preventing falls in older people. Podiatrists can even make custom orthotics that mold to your unique feet and address your specific problems. Although they will eventually provide additional comfort, orthotics shoe inserts do take some getting used to. There will be a period of “breaking-in” time, but once you get used to them, you’ll be amazed at the difference they make.

    Are You Considering Custom Orthotics  in Austin, TX?

    If you are considering custom orthotics, you should reach out to an experienced podiatristAustin Foot and Ankle Specialists can help. Our office provides a wide variety of advanced, effective treatment options for all kinds of painful conditions. Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact us online or call our Austin office at 512.328.8900.

  • Can I run in my AFO (ankle foot orthosis)?

    This is not a straight yes or no question as the answer is highly dependant upon first, the level of instability of the muscles that cross the ankle and second, the type and or construction of the AFO.  As a general rule, if the reason you are wearing the AFO is primarily an ankle instability issue, then in most cases you can run and be very active in the AFO just as many professional athletes wear knee braces during play.

    With that being said, there are varying materials that these braces are made of and some are more designed for strenuous activity than others.  You should always ensure that you communicate to your doctor that you wish to run or do other activities in your AFO so that information can be taken into account with the construction and design of your particular device.

    Are You Considering Custom Orthotics  in Austin, TX?

    If you are considering custom orthotics, you should reach out to an experienced podiatristAustin Foot and Ankle Specialists can help. Our office provides a wide variety of advanced, effective treatment options for all kinds of painful conditions. Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact us online or call our Austin office at 512.328.8900.

     

  • What are the different types of AFO ankle braces?

    In short, there are primarily two different types of AFOs – hinged, and non-hinged or solid AFOs. The hinged type is used when the stability of the ankle is an issue but the muscle function is intact. The solid or non-hinged AFO is used when there are varying degrees of muscle weakness or instability and the brace has to do all or part of the job the muscles are no longer able to do.  

    Are You Considering Custom Orthotics  in Austin, TX?

    If you are considering custom orthotics, you should reach out to an experienced podiatristAustin Foot and Ankle Specialists can help. Our office provides a wide variety of advanced, effective treatment options for all kinds of painful conditions. Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact us online or call our Austin office at 512.328.8900.

  • Why do I need a biopsy of my plantar wart?

    There are many skin lesions that look similar to one another. We biopsy excised warts to verify that they are not a more serious type of lesion.

    Are You Looking for a Plantar Warts Specialist in Austin, TX?

    If you are looking for plantar wart care, you should reach out to an experienced podiatristAustin Foot and Ankle Specialists can help. Our office provides a wide variety of advanced, effective treatment options for all kinds of painful conditions. Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact us online or call our Austin office at 512.328.8900.

  • How can I have nice-looking toenails while my nail fungus is being treated?

    We suggest Keryflex, a treatment protocol that allows the nail fungus to be treated with an oral antifungal while restoring the cosmetic appearance of the natural nail.

    Are You Looking for a Toenail Fungus Specialist in Austin, TX?

    If you are looking for toenail fungus care, you should reach out to an experienced podiatristAustin Foot and Ankle Specialists can help. Our office provides a wide variety of advanced, effective treatment options for all kinds of painful conditions. Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact us online or call our Austin office at 512.328.8900.

  • Does cutting a 'V' in my nail cure an ingrown toenail?

    No. The nail is formed by the matrix at the base. Cutting a notch or ‘v’ in the tip effectively does nothing to change the shape or growth of the nail into your skin.

    Are You Looking for an Ingrown Toenail Specialist in Austin, TX?

    If you are looking for ingrown toenail care, you should reach out to an experienced podiatristAustin Foot and Ankle Specialists can help. Our office provides a wide variety of advanced, effective treatment options for all kinds of painful conditions. Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact us online or call our Austin office at 512.328.8900.

  • Should my toenails bleed when I cut them?

    No. The nail plate of the toes is made of a specialized keratin that has no blood vessels. If you see blood while cutting your nails it is possible that you have violated the soft tissue below the nail plate. A good rule of thumb is to leave just a sliver of white at the distal aspect of the nail plate.

    Are You Looking for a Skin and Nails Expert in Austin, TX?

    If you are looking for skin and nail care, you should reach out to an experienced podiatristAustin Foot and Ankle Specialists can help. Our office provides a wide variety of advanced, effective treatment options for all kinds of painful conditions. Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact us online or call our Austin office at 512.328.8900.

  • Should I be scared of ingrown toenail surgery?

    Most patients' fear has to do with the injection prior. After the application of anesthesia, the procedure is relatively quick and painless.

    Are You Looking for an Ingrown Toenail Specialist in Austin, TX?

    If you are looking for ingrown toenail care, you should reach out to an experienced podiatristAustin Foot and Ankle Specialists can help. Our office provides a wide variety of advanced, effective treatment options for all kinds of painful conditions. Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact us online or call our Austin office at 512.328.8900.