Achilles tendinitis is a common condition that occurs when the large tendon that runs down the back of your lower leg becomes irritated and inflamed.

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body. It connects your calf muscles to your heel bone and is used when you walk, run, climb stairs, jump, and stand on your tip toes. Although the Achilles tendon can withstand great stresses from running and jumping, it is also prone to tendinitis, a condition associated with overuse and degeneration.

Chronic ankle sprains may indicate that your ankle did not heal properly from a previous injury. Dr. Sherick can treat persistent ankle instability with procedures such as an ankle brace. To discover more about how an ankle brace or minimally invasive surgical treatment can improve your ankle stability, call or make an appointment online now.

Osteoarthritis is a condition characterized by the breakdown and eventual loss of cartilage in one or more joints. Cartilage (the connective tissue found at the end of the bones in the joints) protects and cushions the bones during movement. When cartilage deteriorates or is lost, symptoms develop that can restrict one’s ability to easily perform daily activities.

Avascular necrosis (AVN) involving the bones of the foot and ankle represents a uniquely challenging group of conditions.

These rare ailments can strike from a multitude of etiologic pathways and present with a broad range of symptoms and severities. While neither as common nor as easily recognizable as posttraumatic arthritis and lower leg deformity, AVN of bone can lead to considerable disability and compromised function.

This makes both recognition and treatment of AVN a challenge for the foot and ankle specialist and underscores the importance of accurately identifying, classifying, and managing these injuries. Dr. Sherick has been on the forefront of innovative treatment options for this condition often utilizing stem cells or Custom 3D Bone Implant Replacements.

Bunions are a type of foot deformity that is caused by an enlargement of the bone at the base of the big toe. This enlargement can cause the big toe to jut outwards, and it can also lead to pain and swelling in the area. Bunions can be treated with a variety of methods, including surgery, but they often require regular monitoring and care.

Cartilage is a type of connective tissue that is found in the joints of the body. Cartilage helps to cushion the joints and allows them to move smoothly. Cartilage can be damaged by injuries or arthritis, and can no longer provide the necessary protection and support for the joint. Cartilage repair is a procedure used to fix damaged cartilage. The damaged cartilage is removed and replaced with a graft of healthy cartilage taken from another part of the body.

Charcot Arthropathy is a condition causing weakening of the bones in the foot and ankle that can occur in people who have significant nerve damage (neuropathy). The bones are weakened enough to fracture, and with continued walking the foot eventually changes shape. As the disorder progresses, the joints collapse and the foot takes on an abnormal shape, such as a rocker-bottom appearance.

Charcot Arthropathy is a very serious condition that can lead to severe deformity, disability, and even amputation. Because of its seriousness, it is important that patients with diabetes—a disease often associated with neuropathy—take preventive measures and seek immediate care if signs or symptoms appear.

Custom orthotics are fabricated by scanning your foot with our state-of-the-art sensors and generating a digital mold of your foot. Modifications are made that are tailored to the patient’s needs. Afterwards, the digital mold is sent to a local lab where it is fabricated for the patient.

Diabetic foot problems are a major health concern and are a common cause of hospitalization.

Most foot problems that people with diabetes face arise from two serious complications of the disease: nerve damage and poor circulation. The lack of feeling and poor blood flow can allow a small blister to progress to a serious infection in a matter of days. Chronic nerve damage (neuropathy) can cause dry and cracked skin, which provides an opportunity for bacteria to enter and cause infection.

The consequences can range from hospitalization for antibiotics to amputation of a toe or foot. For people with diabetes, careful, daily inspection of the feet is essential to overall health and the prevention of damaging foot problems.