We Answer Your Top Questions About Podiatry and Physical Therapy

Physical therapy initial evaluations are typically an hour long in duration.  Please arrive 15 minutes early as you will have paperwork specific to physical therapy to fill out. Our physical therapists will then ask you a series of questions, perform a physical examination, discuss their findings with you, and finish by discussing a plan of care. You will then schedule your treatment sessions as discussed with your physical therapist.

To schedule an initial evaluation with our physical therapists in Castle Pines and Cherry Creek, CO, call 303-805-5156 or use our online contact form.

Colorado is a direct access state, meaning you may not need a referral, though some insurance companies require a referral for reimbursement. It is best to call your insurance company and ask, or to simply bring in a referral.

If you have any other questions, or you would like to set up an initial evaluation for physical therapy treatment at our Cherry Creek or Castle Pines locations, contact us at 303-805-5156 or by using our online contact form.

To get the most out of your physical therapy sessions, you should be prepared with clothing that offers your free range of motion. Wear something comfortable that is easy to move in and gives easy access to the body part your treatment is focusing on. If you have any questions or need to set up an appointment for physical therapy at our Castle Pines or Cherry Creek locations, call 303-805-5156 or use our online contact form.

You’re not alone in your search for high heel orthotics. Many women, including our podiatrist Dr. O, love the look of high heels but hate the pain and deformities they cause on women’s feet.

When your friend told you that orthotics could help treat your bunion deformity, she was right. Many people have what is called first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ). This is a long term that basically describes the compressed joint in your foot when you try to move. When people experience this joint pain, they subconsciously try to correct it, which in turn can create a bunion.

With orthotics, you get more functional control over your MTPJ, which can restore range of motion in your joints while you walk, and help you get back to a normal gait. The custom orthotics we make at Podiatry Associates also reduce the amount of compression force your foot endures.

Although orthotics are helpful in treating foot deformities such as bunions, we understand how important it is to look as great as you feel. That’s why we offer custom high heel orthotics at Castle Pines and Cherry Creek. Stop by and check out some of the types of shoes we offer and talk to a podiatrist so that you can get the treatment you need while still looking amazing!

You’re doing the right thing to research physical therapy treatments before you go into surgery. There are a number of treatment options available that can help you with your recovery both immediately after your surgery and for the long-term.

Individualized Treatment. The first step will be to determine which types of treatment will help you immediately following your knee surgery. These can include treatments such as manual therapy, therapeutic excersie, ultrasound, ice and heat therapy, electrical stimulation, and more.

Manual Therapy. Manual therapy is a general term that refers to hands-on therapy. This includes massage, mobilization, and manipulation of your body to loosen muscles and joints.

Exercise. Exercise is important for helping your body stay in good shape even after something as daunting as a surgery. As soon as you are able, it is a good idea to work a personal therapist one-on-one in your physical therapy center. Once again, the training plan put in place will be tailored to your individual needs and abilities.

At Podiatry Associates, we work with a variety of types of physical therapy. All of our treatment plans are catered to your individual needs, so you can be confident that the physical therapy treatments at Castle Pines Physical Therapy or Cherry Creek Physical Therapy you receive are working to speed your recovery and strengthen you for the long term. Call us today at 303-805-5156 to schedule your appointment before your surgery, so that we can discuss in detail your needs for post-operative physical therapy care.

When the temperature starts to rise all of us begin to venture outdoors and crave the beautiful Spring and Summer days in Colorado. Everyone starts making plans to go to the pool, parks, festivals, and sporting events. However, it is important to be cautious about the health of the skin on your feet.

In Colorado, our altitude puts us closer to the sun. This means that the strength of the sun may be a little bit more severe in our neck of the woods, making it extra critical that you protect yourself from harmful solar radiation. Your feet are no exception to this rule.

Melanoma is a malignant type of cancer that mostly effects the skin. This includes the skin on your feet. It is the biggest cause of skin cancer-related deaths and should be taken very seriously. A less-aggressive skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, is also a risk from sun exposure.

If you notice any of the following, it is important that you contact a podiatrist at Podiatry Associates to look at your feet:

Pigment changes

Odd shapes or sizes on your feet

Unusual spotting on your feet

These could all be signs of skin cancer. Before you go outdoors, it is important to apply a generous layer of sunscreen on your body and feet.

For more help, contact one of our podiatrists at 303-805-5156 to schedule an appointment at our Castle Pines, Cherry Creek, or Parker, CO locations. We will discuss with you the right solution to keep your feet healthy and comfortable so that you can continue to enjoy your favorite outdoor activities in Colorado, pain free.

As your child grows, one of the most quickly changing areas of his body will be his feet. At birth, your baby’s bones have not completely hardened, leaving them soft and malleable as they develop. There is also a lack of contour to your baby’s feet, because the fat covering the muscles and bone structure usually hides the shape of his feet.

As your child grows and starts to walk, an arch is formed and the baby fat is spread to the appropriate areas of the foot to provide cushioning. In some children, an arch does not form or is less strongly developed. This condition is called pes planus, or flat feet. Parents should be aware of this, as it can have a profound impact on their child’s foot health.

If your child has flat feet, here are a few of the ways he may be impacted:

• He may avoid running or playing sports because of the pain or discomfort of having flat feet.
• Flat feet can lead to obesity, due to a lack of activity.
• Flat feet can also lead to children being shy or having difficulty developing social skills, because they avoid common child social activities.

Custom orthotics can help correct this issue, helping your child feel more confident while being active on his feet. With the help of an orthotic, your child’s foot will have the support it needs to develop an arch and help learn proper foot mechanics.

The best place to find orthotics is by consulting with your podiatrist. This way, the orthotic can be fitted specifically to your child’s foot. Custom fit kiosks at stores are not able to do this effectively. If you want to help your child overcome flat feet, contact a podiatrist  at Podiatry Associates 303-805-5156 and schedule your consultation today at one of our Castle Pines, Cherry Creek, or Parker, CO locations.

One of the most common ailments diabetics suffer from is foot burning. This is because diabetes can damage your nerve endings, causing something called peripheral neuropathy. When neuropathy impacts your feet, you lose sensation. By wearing the wrong-sized shoe, or a shoe that does not fit your foot properly, you risk damaging your foot without knowing it. This can lead to serious infection, ulcers, or even fractures that could deform your foot.

Perhaps the best thing you can do for your foot is to wear special shoes made for people with diabetes. Podiatrists at Podiatry Associates can help you find these special shoes and fit them properly.

A few things to look for in new shoes include:

• Breathable fabric. Your shoes must be able to breathe. Without breathable fabric, you risk bacteria growing inside your shoe. If you have an open cut or a wound on your foot, you could develop an infection.
• No seams. Seams can cause friction and rub against your toes and the sides of your feet. If you have numbness in your feet, you may not be able to feel this happening, which could cause your feet to develop ulcers or infection.
• Fashionable. Let’s be honest, if you don’t love the way your shoes make you look you won’t be as likely to wear them as often as you should. Look for fashionable shoes that you can be proud of wearing but that still support your feet.

At Podiatry Associates, we have great looking shoes and orthotics that give you the support your feet need while making your feet look great! No one has to know that you’re wearing supportive shoes. Contact us today at 303-805-5156 to look for a pair of special diabetic shoes at our Castle Pines, Cherry Creek or Parker, CO locations and give your feet the care and support they need.

Hammertoe is a deformity in the basic structure of your toes. This musculoskeletal imbalance causes your toes to become elevated and bony. As a result, you may have severe pain, especially when you walk or put on your shoes.

Hammertoe can be caused by a number of things. The most common is genetics. Wearing comfortable shoes that allow you enough room so that you can easily wiggle your toes can help prevent pain from this deformity.

Your friend is right that if you do have hammertoe, getting hammertoe surgery may help reduce the pain you feel. Here are a few examples of when surgery may be the right option:

• Your pain interferes with your regular activities, and nonsurgical treatments such as wearing orthotics have not helped.
• Your foot is severely deformed preventing you to do daily activities.
• You have a fixed toe joint deformity.

The best way to determine whether surgery is right for you is to contact a foot and ankle surgeon. At Podiatry Associates, we’ve helped others overcome the pain they feel from hammertoe deformities. We know what to look for and how to determine whether surgery is right for you, or if other treatment options may be able to help.

Call us today at 303-805-5156 to schedule your appointment at our Castle Pines, Cherry Creek, or Parker, CO office locations.