Glacier Foot & Ankle Associates

Physicians & Surgeons, Podiatrists, Physicians & Surgeons, Sports Medicine

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24 Years

in Business

(406) 755-1300Call Visit WebsiteVisit Website

Business LocationKalispell, MT 59901

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Regular Hours

Mon - Fri:	8:30 am - 4:30 pm

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Services/Products: Surgery.
Other Link: http://www.glacierfootandankle.com
Categories: Physicians & Surgeons, Podiatrists, Physicians & Surgeons, Sports Medicine

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Details

Phone: (406) 755-1300

Address: Kalispell, MT 59901

Website: http://www.glacierfootandankle.com

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Glacier Foot & Ankle Associates

General Practitioners

Warts
Arthritis
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. The typical description given is pain at the bottom of the heel which is often worst first thing in the morning. Onset of pain is usually gradual and insidious, the condition can become chronic and at times can be very painful. The term plantar simply means the bottom or sole of the foot. Fasciia is a type of strong connective tissue; –itis indicates ‘inflammation of’.
Cryotherapy
There are a number of treatment options, none of which are always effective. Salicylic acid drops or impregnated pads, blistering agents, cryotherapy (freezing), Rx Aldara and surgical excision are all potential options. Salicylic acid and over-the-counter cryotherapy units can be effective versus small new lesions. The skin on the sole of the foot is very thick, so longstanding lesions are much more difficult to eradicate with these simpler treatments. Surgical excision, cutting out the lesion, is usually effective and is the recommended treatment in most instances. Just the outer epidermal layer of the skin is removed, the dermal layer is not infected and is left intact. Since the dermal layer is not disturbed the risk for infection or scarring is very low. Some warts are simply too large or numerous to excise. Rx Aldara (imiquimod) is a topical cream which helps the body’s immune system fight the virus.
Diabetic Foot Care

X-Rays

General Surgery
Wound Care
Ankle Surgery
The Podiatric surgeons of GFAA specialize in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. They have extensive experience based on specialized training; they focus exclusively on the foot and ankle.
Cyst Removal
Bunions

Skin Cancer
Corns
Most painful corns and calluses will recur unless the inciting pressure is relieved. Avoiding constrictive shoes, use of cushioned insoles or soft digital pads can help to prevent or slow recurrence. Urea containing moisturizing creams (Kerasal) or lotions can help soften and ease forefoot and heel calluses. Regular use of an emery board or pumice stone can reduce the gradual thickening of the skin. Most patients simply need to return to the office on an as-needed basis for debridement of a painful callus.
Cyst
Ulcer
Calluses
When subjected to constant pressure and friction, skin will either gradually grow tougher and thicker or blister and breakdown. The medical term for thickened skin is hyperkeratosis. The causative pressure on the area is usually due to poorly fitting shoes or a digital deformity such as a hammertoe. Heel calluses form and thicken due to friction inside a shoe while walking. Increased activity leads to thicker and more painful hyperkeratosis.
Fungus
A comprehensive program utilizing a combination approach including Pinpointe Laser treatment, a course of oral Rx Lamisil, daily application of topical antifungal lacquer to the toenails and antifungal cream to the skin, and regularly sanitizing shoewear will have the greatest chance for success and clearing of stubborn toenail fungus.
Lesions
A corn or callus is a localized thickening (hypertrophy) of the skin in response to pressure. A corn or callus can become very painful in shoes and with activity. Although most are non-threatening, for some patients such as Diabetics or older patients with decreased circulation, these skin lesions can be the precursor for an open wound and infection.
Burns

Physical Therapists

Physical Therapy
Activity reduction, rest, local icing, stretching and use of appropriate shoes are essential. Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) may be used to relieve pain as necessary. Steroid injections are not recommended vs. posterior heel pain due to the possible risk of Achilles tendon rupture. Physical therapy can prove beneficial for those with a tight, contracted tendon or other associated muscle weakness. A short period of cast immobilization for several weeks is often required to reduce the chronic inflammation and provide local pain relief. This is usually a walking cast, crutches rarely prove necessary. Immobilizing the foot and ankle at 90 degrees takes the repetitive daily propulsive strain off the Achilles tendon and allows the insertional attachment site to heal.
Flatfoot Correction
Heel Pain
Orthotics and Prosthetic Therapy

General Podiatry
The couple moved to Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Ploot attended medical school at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine and graduated near the top of his class. His surgical training was completed at an intensive foot and ankle surgical residency at Grant Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. He participated in approximately 2,500 foot and ankle procedures during residency. The focus throughout his medical training and career has been exclusively on the foot and ankle.
Achilles Tendonitis
A tight Achilles tendon can be a contributing factor. Patients with an underlying systemic arthritic condition may have weakened collagen tissue fibers and are often at increased risk for this Achilles tendon injury. The patient may recall a distant past history of injury, and a more recent increase of activity then sets off the current condition. Many patients however, due not recall the exact moment of onset. Posterior heel pain can often become chronic and, in some cases may last for years.
Ankle Sprain
Bunions Problems
Calluses
Diabetic Foot Care
Flat Feet
Fungus Toenails
Onychomycosis ) is a stubborn, chronic infection that leads to increased thickening, color change and destruction of the toenail. Fungal toenails can be unsightly, embarrassing and are often painful due to the increased build-up of fungal debris under the toenail. The infection has been notoriously difficult to eradicate; there is no simple cure. The condition is very common, eventually affecting most adults: onychomycosis is estimated to affect up to 35 million Americans. The most common infecting fungal organism is trichophyton rubrum, a dermatophyte.
Hammertoes
A callus is a more generalized and spread out hyperkeratosis such as under the ball of the foot. One particular lesion, a porokeratosis, can feel just like a little rock imbedded in callused skin under the forefoot, they can be very painful to walk on. A corn is a harder, more localized lesion such as directly over the knuckle or the tip of a hammertoe deformity.
Heel Spurs
For the most difficult and recurrent cases, surgical lengthening of the Achilles tendon with removal of posterior heel spur can be necessary. Dr. Ploot at Glacier Foot and Ankle has extensive experience with both conservative care and surgical repair of this condition and can help provide relief of posterior heel pain.
Heel Pain
Foot Pain
Ingrown Toenails
A painful ingrown toenail may be caused by an injury or improper cutting technique, but most often is simply due a hereditary characteristic of an in-curved toenail border. This problem often runs in the family. A curved in toenail can cut through the skin and then grows into the tissue around the nail. Due to the warm, moist environment inside a shoe, a secondary bacterial infection may then develop and leads to significant local redness, swelling and pain. Trimming back the toenail, local application of hydrogen peroxide, epsom salt soaks and topical antibiotic ointments can help reduce the local infection. Only in the most severe cases are oral antibiotic medications actually necessary. The nail border must be trimmed back or removed. Antibiotics and soaks alone will provide only partial and temporary relief, the border must be removed out of the irritated tissue.
Plantar Fasciitis
The plantar fasciia is a band of very strong connective tissue extending from the ball of the foot back to the heel. If you pull your toes up and back, the plantar fasciia can be felt as a taut band across the sole of the foot. The insertional attachment of this tissue at the bottom of the heel is the weak point Plantar fasciitis is simply a local sprain of this tissue at the bottom of the heel.
Podiatric Surgery
Dr. Ploot has been in private practice here in Kalispell since 2001 and has been performing foot and ankle surgery since 1999. He has well over 20 years of medical experience. Dr. Ploot is Board Certified in foot and ankle surgery by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and has performed thousands of various foot procedures. Many simple procedures can be performed in-office under local anesthesia. More complicated cases or those requiring IV sedation or general anesthesia are performed at the Surgery Center of KRMC HealthCenter Northwest in Kalispell.

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