Podiatry

At UT Southwestern Medical Center, our podiatric surgeons provide exceptional care to diagnose and treat all types of foot and ankle injuries and conditions. We begin with conservative treatment, but we also have extensive experience in the latest surgical techniques when needed.

Expert Care for Foot and Ankle Injuries and Conditions

Podiatry is a field of medicine focused on diagnosing and treating conditions and injuries that affect the foot, ankle, and related structures in the leg. With extensive training and experience, our podiatric surgeons provide a wide range of medical and surgical care for people experiencing foot or ankle problems. 

Our podiatric surgeons are faculty members in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Department of Plastic Surgery. They are dedicated to medical and surgical patient care and are actively involved in numerous research studies on conditions of the foot and ankle. To provide comprehensive care, we work closely with specialists in many other fields to coordinate our patients’ care.

Conditions We Treat

Podiatric surgeons at UT Southwestern provide expert, compassionate care for people with any type of foot or ankle condition, including:

• Injuries such as sprains, strains, foot/ankle fractures, and Achilles tears
  
• Arthritis of the foot and ankle
  
• Muscle and tendon problems such as tendonitis, Haglund’s deformity, and general pain
  
• Joint and nerve disorders such as bunions, hammertoes, neuropathy, and neuromas
  
• Diabetic foot problems such as ulcers, sores, bruises, cuts, infections, and Charcot foot
  
• Flat feet and related problems such as arch pain, plantar fasciitis, and shin splints
  
• High arched feet/cavus foot

Foot and Ankle Treatment with Podiatric Surgery

At UT Southwestern, our experienced podiatric surgeons treat foot and ankle problems with a comprehensive approach. Many patients receive care in our outpatient clinics; some of the nonsurgical services and treatments we provide include:

• Oral or topical (applied to the skin) medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  
• Injections such as cortisone to relieve pain and inflammation
  
• Padding and taping to support and stabilize the foot or ankle and minimize pain
  
• Casting to immobilize fractures
  
• Diabetic foot care, infection management, and limb salvage
  
• Wound care including hyperbaric oxygen therapy
  
• Evaluation for orthotics such as arch supports, heel pads, heel lifts, and other shoe inserts, either over the counter or custom made

If patients need surgery for foot and ankle conditions or injuries, our podiatric surgeons have experience in arthroscopic and open surgical techniques. Depending on each patient’s specific needs, we perform surgeries including:

• Repair of torn tendons or ligaments, such as ankle stabilization procedures
• Arthroscopic ankle surgery
• Removal of bone spurs, bunions, or hammertoes
• Reconstruction of deformities such as flat foot/high-arched feet
• Fusion surgery for ankle or foot arthritis
• Stabilization of bone fractures using screws, pins, or other fixation devices
• Reconstruction of Charcot foot deformity
• Surgical treatment of diabetic foot infections
• Removal of neuromas or soft tissue masses
• Removal of part or all of a toenail, either temporarily or permanently