Putting your feet first at Feetdocs
Treatments include foot care for diabetics, ulcers, thick nails, corns, callouses
There is excitement in the air at Feetdocs’ Broadview Avenue podiatry clinic. Clients are beating a path to Feetdocs because they are one of the only clinics in the city to utilize laser therapy treatments to zap the fungus that causes yellow, thick and unsightly toenails.
In 2010 Feetdocs became one of the first clinics in Canada to pioneer the use of lasers in the treatment of foot fungus. “Until a few years ago there weren’t a lot of options to treat foot fungus,” said Manya Greenberg, a laser technician at Feetdocs. “Topical medications had a low rate of success, while oral medications had serious side effects. A more drastic treatment was the permanent removal of the affected toenails, a painful process.”
The introduction of laser treatment changed all of that. Feetdocs carries two types of lasers with different wavelengths for maximum effectiveness. Treatment is virtually pain-free and patients can resume their normal activities right away. Laser treatment has a high success rate of 86 to 90 per cent. Results are noticed within two to four months, as the old nail grows out and is replaced with a healthy nail. Depending on the severity of the fungus, approximately three laser treatments are required.
“This is the leading edge of what’s being done,” says Manya. “People are excited about their results because we have a very high success rate and an alternative to ineffective treatments.”
Manya’s father, David Greenberg, a podiatrist and Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.) has been in the practice for 40 years. Joined by Pierre Dupont (D.P.M.) and their staff of skilled technicians, Feetdocs is equipped to handle all podiatric needs, from routine checkups to treatments for surgery. With a priority to deliver quality care to informed patients in a comfortable and relaxed setting, the experts at Feetdocs can solve virtually any foot issue.
“When you have problems with your feet, you need to turn to an experienced Doctor of Podiatric Medicine who listens and responds,” says Manya. “Podiatrists are the foot care specialists who are trained and legally licensed to render a diagnosis and perform corrective bone surgery on the foot. Our experienced D.P.M.s know the field and can effectively diagnose and treat your needs, as well as counsel you on the best ways to maintain and improve your foot health. At Feetdocs you will benefit from a dedicated team of trained professionals who give the individualized attention you deserve.”
“When you have problems with your feet, you need to turn to an experienced Doctor of Podiatric Medicine.”
– Manya Greenberg
Laser Technician, Feetdocs
Stent surgery is another procedure unique to Feetdocs. A stent is an internal stabilization device that is placed inside the foot. Its main purpose is to correct the problem of talotarsal dislocation which can cause a myriad of problems. The surgical procedure to place it is minimally invasive and is performed under a local anaesthetic. The stent is pushed into the sinus tarsi, which is a natural space located between the ankle bone and heel bone. The stent prevents the ankle bone from slipping off its normal contact points in the hind-foot, thus preventing the collapse of the ankle and a flattening of the arch.
“This is innovative, cutting edge stuff, and nobody else is doing it, says Manya.” Recovery from the procedure can take anywhere from two weeks to several months, depending upon the severity of the original symptoms. Where more severe cases are being treated, mechanical rehabilitative therapy may be indicated as part of the recovery process. Feetdocs is the only clinic in the city that performs this procedure.
The experts at Feetdocs can diagnose and treat a variety of routine foot problems including: foot care for diabetics, ulcers, thick nails, corns, calluses, infections, warts and athlete’s foot. “We are a full service foot clinic and do everything for foot comfort,” said Manya. “These services are often covered by private health insurance and are tax deductible.”
Feetdocs also treats sport medicine problems such as heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, muscle strain, high arches, flexible low arches, knee pain secondary to improper foot function, leg pain (shin splints), and related low back pain.
“Although surgery is not normally a first option for treating any foot condition, when desirable or necessary, we perform surgeries in our office under local anaesthetic,” saysManya. “Some of the conditions that we can treat surgically are ingrown toenails, corns and/or calluses (usually caused by an underlying condition), hammertoes, bunions, bone spurs, cysts and tumours, warts, enlarged joints, misaligned metatarsals, and skin lesions.
“In many cases surgical procedures are performed using minimal incision techniques. With very few exceptions, the patient is able to walk out of the office with no assistance.”
Feetdocs is located at 770 Broadview Ave, unit #102. For more information call 613-7271888 or visit www.feetdocs.com.