Locations:

Your feet don’t get nearly enough credit — or TLC — for everything they do. Walking. Jumping. Running. It’s hard work.

They keep you moving, but you probably don’t think much about them until something hurts. Whether you have a nagging ache or something more serious, it’s a good idea to get it checked out sooner rather than later.

Cleveland Clinic’s podiatry team knows how to get to the bottom of your foot problems. We’ll listen to your concerns, answer questions and put together the right mix of treatments and rehab to help you get back on your feet.

Why Choose Cleveland Clinic for Podiatry?

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Convenient care:

We offer foot and ankle care at many different locations. No matter where you go for diagnosis and treatment, you’ll get the highest level of care for any foot or ankle condition.

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Comprehensive care:

Your care team will recommend the best approach for your foot or ankle pain. That might mean minimally invasive therapies or, in some cases, surgery. Either way, they’ll explain the plan, so you know what to expect. Meet our team.

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Virtual visits:

If getting to your provider’s office is tough, try scheduling a virtual visit. You’ll get the same great care but from the comfort and convenience of your home.

Podiatry Evaluations at Cleveland Clinic

Podiatry covers treatment for many different foot conditions that cause pain, including wounds, bone and tissue damage or more, like:

What to expect at your evaluation

Your first visit is all about understanding what’s going on and how it’s affecting your life. Your provider will ask about your symptoms, how long you’ve had them, and how they’re impacting your day-to-day.

They’ll also review your medical history and any medications you take. Then, during a physical exam, your provider will:

  • Check your foot and ankle
  • Watch how you stand and walk
  • Look at how your joints move
  • See how well your shoes fit

This exam can help them get a clear picture of what your feet need.

Podiatry testing

Our team may also recommend imaging tests to check for problems like blockages, narrowed blood vessels or structural problems in your feet. These tests might include:

We may do blood tests to look for conditions that can affect your feet, as well, like rheumatoid arthritis. If we suspect an infection, we might biopsy a small tissue sample to test for bacteria. For a fungal infection, we’ll take a clipping of your affected toenail to test for fungus. If we think your foot problems could be related to diabetes, we might check your blood sugar or look for signs of infection.

Locations

Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio and Florida.

A Team Approach to Care

When you have foot pain, it’s natural to wonder if you should see a podiatrist or an orthopaedic surgeon. Many treatments overlap between the two, but here’s a quick guide:

  • Podiatrists: Surgeons who specialize in conditions affecting the front of your foot, like corns, bunions, and plantar fasciitis
  • Orthopaedic surgeons: Focus on more complex issues, like fractures, soft tissue injuries, and joint damage

Depending on your diagnosis, your foot specialists may work with other experts like:

Podiatry Treatment at Cleveland Clinic

Your podiatry care team uses results from your exam and testing to build a personalized treatment plan. They’ll often try to treat many foot problems with other methods before recommending surgery.

Podiatry treatment without surgery

We can treat many foot conditions effectively without surgery. Based on your diagnosis, your provider may suggest one or a combination of these treatments:

Surgery

If the frontline treatments don’t help your foot or ankle condition, we may suggest surgery, including:

  • Arthroscopy: Uses a few tiny incisions (cuts) and small tools to treat injuries or bone or tissue damage
  • Bunion surgery (bunionectomy): Treats bunions by repositioning your big toe to lessen pain and improve alignment in your foot
  • Cheilectomy: Removes bone spurs and bone tissue to treat big toe pain
  • Fracture surgery: Stabilizes broken bones with metal plates, screws or small metal wires
  • Plantar fasciitis surgery: Reduces pressure or tension on your plantar fascia
  • Tendon surgery: Repairs a tendon tear, removes damaged or diseased tendon tissue or uses a healthy tendon to replace a damaged tendon (tendon transfer).
  • Toe fusion: Straightens the toe joints to treat conditions like claw toe, mallet toe or hammertoe

Recovery from foot surgery is different for everyone. Your providers will give you specific instructions for your recovery, including when you can get back to your regular activities.

What’s Next?

Pain doesn’t have to keep you off your feet for good. No matter the foot condition you have, our caring podiatry team can pinpoint the cause and start highly customized treatment — so you can regain your stride.

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