Podiatrist

At OAK Orthopedics, the region's most preferred orthopedic practice, our podiatrists have the knowledge and experience to treat a variety of foot and ankle conditions and injuries.

When you experience pain in your foot, it can be challenging to complete even the most simple, everyday tasks. Foot injuries can come from many different factors and take many different forms, from bunions and ingrown toenails to ankle sprains and fractures. With the right treatment from a trained podiatrist, it's possible to find total relief and get back to your normal life.

A podiatrist, or foot doctor, treats patients suffering from a wide range of foot and ankle issues. These issues can often be addressed on an in-patient basis, but in some instances, surgery may be required to get you back to your regular activities. Some common causes of foot and ankle pain that a podiatrist might treat include:

  • Ankle injuries, including fractures and sprains
  • Bunions
  • Foot deformity
  • Foot pain that stems from diabetic complications
  • Heel pain
  • Infectious disease
  • Neuromas
  • Plantar warts
  • Toe pain
  • Torn or stretched tendons

If you experience any of these conditions, it is necessary to seek medical care from a podiatrist. When you arrive at the foot doctor's office, you'll first receive a thorough medical evaluation, which may include X-rays or a simple visual exam. Your doctor will likely take your full medical history as well. This will allow for a complete and accurate diagnosis.

From there, the podiatrist will be able to recommend the right course of treatment. Nonsurgical treatments will be tried first, which in some cases could be a simple, in-office procedure. Many conditions can be treated with medications, heat, ice, bracing, or physical therapy. Doctors can also provide wound care for any open sores or similar injuries.

For more extreme injuries, there is always the possibility of foot surgery or ankle surgery. The goal of these surgeries is to always get you back to 100 percent health as quickly as possible. Some recovery time should be expected, so be prepared to stay off your feet for at least a few weeks. Your podiatric surgeon can tell you more about the type of procedure you will require and the length of recovery you should expect. Your surgeon will also be able to counsel you on whether or not you'll need to wear a temporary orthotic device.

If you have a minor foot problem, you might try some home remedies; again, ice, heat, compression, and some basic stretches can all help, as can simply resting for a few days. If your symptoms persist for more than a week, or if they only worsen in spite of using home remedies, it is time to visit a podiatrist.

Specializing in What Moves You at OAK Orthopedics

At OAK Orthopedics, our world-class team of orthopedic experts is devoted to providing customized treatment plans focused on each patient's individual needs and goals.

Our specialty-trained podiatrists, Dr. Timothy Friedrich and Dr. Austin Chinn, have extensive experience in treating a variety of foot and ankle conditions and injuries. Nonsurgical methods will always be recommended first before considering surgery. However, there are situations in which conservative treatments will not provide adequate relief, and surgery is the best option to fix the problem. Our podiatrists are skilled in performing many surgical procedures for the foot and ankle and utilize state-of-the-art technology in doing so. Rest assured that when you see our podiatrists, you are in the care of the region's most preferred orthopedic providers. 

If you have foot or ankle pain that needs to be evaluated, we encourage you to contact us today at one of our three locations in Bourbonnais, Frankfort, or Watseka. Call (815) 928-8050 for our Bourbonnais or Watseka office or (815) 469-3452 for our Frankfort office, or request an appointment online with one of our experienced podiatrists.