Weil Foot & Ankle Institute – Elmwood Park, IL

A podiatrist is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), a medical and surgical specialist in the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of foot and ankle disorders.

The education of a podiatrist includes four years of college, followed by four years of podiatric medical school, followed by 2-3 years of a surgical residency training program. During these years of education, the podiatric medical student is exposed to many different areas of general medicine including dermatology, pediatrics, orthopedics, internal medicine, pathology, and neurology. Additionally, specialized podiatric training in the many areas of lower extremity ailments, infectious diseases, diabetic wound care, and surgical principles is obtained.

Following graduation from an accredited podiatric medical school, the new podiatrists are required to participate in surgical residency programs to further advance their experiences and education. These programs include advanced training in the surgical and medical management of common foot and ankle conditions as well as exposure to complicated adult and pediatric foot and ankle disorders. The Weil Foot & Ankle Institute Specialists offer Board Certified residency-trained foot and ankle surgeons; our doctors have participated in the training of over 100 podiatric surgeons practicing around the country.

Weil Foot & Ankle Institute has board-certified podiatric surgeons who specialize in the treatment of foot and ankle pathology, injuries and diseases. Our Elmwood Park clinic offers same-day appointments when available and the creation of custom foot and ankle orthotics. We also have an on-site digital X-ray machine, advanced wound care methods, shockwave EPAT treatments, LASER surgery, and physical therapy services. Our clinic also performs surgery – including outpatient procedures – at local hospitals or surgery centers.

The Weil Foot & Ankle Institute specialists offer over 75 years of combined experience in providing quality, expert, medical, and surgical care for all types of painful foot & ankle problems, for patients of all ages. Recognizing that foot and ankle problems are most easily treated before they become serious, the Weil Foot & Ankle Institute specialists emphasize early detection and prompt treatment for ailments such as sprains, muscle strains, tendonitis, bunions, hammertoes, corns and calluses, flat feet, heel spurs, ingrown toenails, and plantar warts – only this preventive philosophy and method of treatment can lead to a faster recovery time and help prevent rapid progression to more serious debilitating conditions. Other problems such as fractures, work injuries, sports injuries, arthritis, and diabetic foot care require and receive immediate specialized attention from the Weil Foot & Ankle Institute specialists.

As surgical residency-trained and board-certified foot surgeons, we are well-versed and skilled in the many alternative non-surgical approaches to your foot ailments. However, when conservative therapy does not provide adequate relief of discomfort, modern and more decisive methods of outpatient surgery may be recommended and skillfully performed with minimal time away from work or school activities.

Remember, it is not normal for your feet to hurt. Prompt attention to your feet by our podiatrists can provide you greater comfort and help prevent limitations in your lifestyle.

Weil Foot & Ankle Institute has board-certified podiatric surgeons who specialize in the treatment of foot and ankle pathology, injuries and diseases. Our Elmwood Park clinic offers same-day appointments when available and the creation of custom foot and ankle orthotics. We also have an on-site digital X-ray machine, advanced wound care methods, shockwave EPAT treatments, LASER surgery, and physical therapy services. Our clinic also performs surgery – including outpatient procedures – at local hospitals or surgery centers.

When your feet hurt, you hurt all over!

Your feet play a vital role in maintaining your overall health. Whether you’re walking or standing, your entire body’s weight is balanced on your feet. Because of this, foot problems can be painful and may lead to limitations in one’s lifestyle. Remember, it is not normal for your feet to hurt.

Yet, as common as foot problems are, the feet are generally the most neglected part of the body. Many people suffer from some type of foot ailment. Certain medical groups such as diabetics, rheumatoid arthritis, and the elderly, for example, are at an even higher risk for the development of severe foot problems. Keeping all this in mind, you will soon realize how important it is that you give your feet the attention they deserve.

Foot problems are most easily treated before they become serious. Simple palliative and accommodative methods can usually offer significant relief for many patients without invasive intervention. Early detection and treatment can lead to a shorter recovery time and prevent progression to a more serious condition. Therefore, it is important that you contact our office whenever you suspect a problem with your feet.

Weil Foot & Ankle Institute has board-certified podiatric surgeons who specialize in the treatment of foot and ankle pathology, injuries and diseases. Our Elmwood Park clinic offers same-day appointments when available and the creation of custom foot and ankle orthotics. We also have an on-site digital X-ray machine, advanced wound care methods, shockwave EPAT treatments, LASER surgery, and physical therapy services. Our clinic also performs surgery – including outpatient procedures – at local hospitals or surgery centers.

According to the American Diabetes Association, about 15.7 million people (5.9 percent of the United States population) have diabetes. Nervous system damage (also called neuropathy) affects about 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes and is a major complication that may cause diabetics to lose feeling in their feet or hands.

Foot problems are a big risk in diabetics. Diabetics must constantly monitor their feet or face severe consequences, including amputation.

With a diabetic foot, a wound as small as a blister from wearing a shoe that’s too tight can cause a lot of damage. Diabetes decreases blood flow, so injuries are slow to heal. When your wound is not healing, it’s at risk for infection. As a diabetic, your infections spread quickly. If you have diabetes, you should inspect your feet every day. Look for puncture wounds, bruises, pressure areas, redness, warmth, blisters, ulcers, scratches, cuts and nail problems. Get someone to help you, or use a mirror.

Here’s some basic advice for taking care of your feet:

• Always keep your feet warm.
• Don’t get your feet wet in snow or rain.
• Don’t put your feet on radiators or in front of the fireplace.
• Don’t smoke or sit cross-legged. Both decrease blood supply to your feet.
• Don’t soak your feet.
• Don’t use antiseptic solutions, drugstore medications, heating pads or sharp instruments on your feet.
• Trim your toenails straight across. Avoid cutting the corners. Use a nail file or emery board. If you find an ingrown toenail, contact our office.
• Use quality lotion to keep the skin of your feet soft and moist, but don’t put any lotion between your toes.
• Wash your feet every day with mild soap and warm water.
• Wear loose socks to bed.
• Wear warm socks and shoes in winter.
• When drying your feet, pat each foot with a towel and be careful between your toes.
• Buy shoes that are comfortable without a “breaking in” period. Check how your shoe fits in width, length, back, bottom of heel, and sole. Avoid pointed-toe styles and high heels. Try to get shoes made with leather upper material and deep toe boxes. Wear new shoes for only two hours or less at a time. Don’t wear the same pair every day. Inspect the inside of each shoe before putting it on. Don’t lace your shoes too tightly or loosely.
• Choose socks and stockings carefully. Wear clean, dry socks every day. Avoid socks with holes or wrinkles. Thin cotton socks are more absorbent for summer wear. Square-toes socks will not squeeze your toes. Avoid stockings with elastic tops.

When your feet become numb, they are at risk for becoming deformed. One way this happens is through ulcers. Open sores may become infected. Another way is the bone condition Charcot (pronounced “sharko”) foot. This is one of the most serious foot problems you can face. It warps the shape of your foot when your bones fracture and disintegrate, and yet you continue to walk on it because it doesn’t hurt. Diabetic foot ulcers and early phases of Charcot fractures can be treated with a total contact cast.

The shape of your foot molds the cast. It lets your ulcer heal by distributing weight and relieving pressure. If you have Charcot foot, the cast controls your foot’s movement and supports its contours if you don’t put any weight on it. To use a total contact cast, you need good blood flow in your foot. The cast is changed every week or two until your foot heals. A custom-walking boot is another way to treat your Charcot foot. It supports the foot until all the swelling goes down, which can take as long as a year. You should keep from putting your weight on the Charcot foot. Surgery is considered if your deformity is too severe for a brace or shoe.

Weil Foot & Ankle Institute has board-certified podiatric surgeons who specialize in the treatment of foot and ankle pathology, injuries and diseases. Our Elmwood Park clinic offers same-day appointments when available and the creation of custom foot and ankle orthotics. We also have an on-site digital X-ray machine, advanced wound care methods, shockwave EPAT treatments, LASER surgery, and physical therapy services. Our clinic also performs surgery – including outpatient procedures – at local hospitals or surgery centers.

What if Surgery is needed?

Most foot and ankle problems can be successfully treated by conservative methods. If surgery is indicated, there are several options available. Selected foot problems can be treated with laser surgery, providing a quicker recovery period, decreased postoperative discomfort and little or no time off from work or school.

Many surgical procedures can be performed under local anesthesia at one of three local community hospitals or surgery centers, where we have full admitting privileges. Depending on the health of the patient, the procedure can be done on an inpatient or outpatient basis at these hospitals.

No two foot problems are alike; each problem must be assessed on an individual basis and treated accordingly. Our objective is to help you continue your day-to-day activities with minimal discomfort and inconvenience.