Welcome to Friendly Foot Care

Here at Friendly Foot Care we provide our patients with the latest in leading edge foot and ankle care. In fact, between Drs. Nirenberg and Lacey there are few foot or ankle problems we cannot treat. Here are some of the more common problems we see:

Friendly Foot Care is now using new, breakthrough techniques which can often alleviate burning, tingling, numbness and shooting pain. These techniques were learned from hands-on experience with the doctor who developed them—Lee Dellon M.D., professor of Plastic Surgery and Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.

We are among a handful of physicians who alleviate nerve and neuropathy problems using techniques developed by Dr. Dellon – one of the top peripheral neurosurgeons in the world (http://www.dellon.com). Patients who experience burning, numbness, tingling, shooting pain or abnormal sensation in their feet or ankles, could have neuropathy or a “pinched” nerve. Alleviating these problems is something that we specialize in.

We are now using state-of-the-art shockwave treatment to help alleviate heel pain. This treatment uses sound waves to alleviate the heel pain. The treatment takes approximately 30 minutes, patients can be awake, and they can usually return to their normal activities within one or two days.

Degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis, or just plain old "Arthur" is a deterioration of the joints between our bones. When Arthur visits people's feet or ankles, many believe they just have to live with it. This is far from the truth. The reality is we have many techniques to alleviate arthritis, including a high-tech, tiny arthroscopic camera that can remove arthritis from sore ankles.

Often, we can actually create an arch for persons with flat feet by sliding a small implant between the bones of the foot.

We love fixing bunions and we use a variety of methods to remove bunions, from Swiss screw-compression techniques, to implants and tendon balancing procedures. Most of these procedures usually are done on an “out-patient” basis and take about 50 to 60 minutes.

Runners and other athletes experience a wide range of problems, from simple tendonitis to ankle sprains and fractures. We use a state-of-the-art computerized gait analysis system to make patients custom-made foot orthotics.

This is one of the most common problems we see. Ingrown toe nails are usually taken care of with a simple procedure that only takes a couple of minutes.

Bent or crooked toes are often unsightly and can develop painful corns. We often correct these problems with a simple outpatient procedure, usually taking only 20 or 30 minutes.

For people who have repeated ankle sprains, we can often repair the ankle with a tiny bone anchor and special, extra-strong suture.

A neuroma (Morton's neuroma) is a condition that arises from irritation of a nerve and the possible formation of scar tissue around the nerve. It occurs most commonly in the small nerve that runs through the ball of the foot. Most neuromas can usually be alleviated in the office, without surgery

It is vital that all diabetic patients be committed to taking care of their feet properly and schedule an annual visit with us or another foot and ankle specialist. Diabetics are at risk for developing foot ulcers and infections, which if left untreated, could lead to gangrene or amputation. Common ailments, such as corns, calluses and ingrown toenails can become very serious and threatening conditions for a diabetic.

The doctors specialize in fitting diabetic patients with special diabetic shoes and custom - made diabetic inserts.

Corns and calluses are often due to areas of excessive pressure or friction between a shoe and a bony prominence or spur. Calluses are areas of thickened, tough skin generally found on the bottom of the foot. Corns are the rough, thickened skin irritations found on the tops and sides of the toes, very often the little toe, and are generally associated with bent or crooked toes. Most corns and callouses can be alleviated with a short out-patient procedure.

The doctors treat all foot and ankle work-related injuries, including fractures, sprains and tendon tears. In most cases, the doctors send regular reports to your employer's workers compensation insurance carrier to keep them apprised of your medical care and work status.

Sprains/Fractures and Ligament Tears
Deformed toes and feet
Wounds, Ulcers and Gangrene
Infections
Lumps, Bumps, Cysts and Tumors
Children’s Problems
Work-Related Injuries
Scar Tissue
Heel spurs
Tendonitis/Tendon Tears
Gout
Numbness/Tingling/Burning
Abnormal Walking/Gait Problems
Dropfoot/Paralysis/Weakness
Toe Nail Problems
Fungus/Athletes Foot
High Arched Feet
Shin Splints and Knee Pain
Osteoarthritis