When Foot Pain Isn’t Just Foot Pain: Knowing When to See a Specialist

We all know the feeling of foot pain after a long day on your feet, a weekend of yardwork, or a strenuous workout or sporting event. But what happens when that discomfort doesn’t go away and starts to interfere with your daily life? That’s when it may be time to get checked out by a specialist.

At Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, Dr. Cameron Eilts has been helping patients find relief from foot and ankle pain since 2011. Whether it’s a sprained ankle, complications from diabetes, or chronic heel pain, Dr. Eilts focuses on understanding each patient’s unique needs and finding the right treatment—surgical or not—to relieve the pain and get them moving again.

Common Causes of Foot & Ankle Pain

Foot and ankle pain can come from many sources. Some of the most common include:

Plantar Fasciitis
Symptoms: A sharp, stabbing pain in the heel that’s often worst in the morning.
Cause: strain or small tears in the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue along the bottom of the foot, often due to overuse, poor arch support, or tight calf muscles.

Arthritis
Symptoms: Stiffness, swelling, and discomfort in the joints of the foot or ankle.
Cause: Results from wear and tear (osteoarthritis), autoimmune conditions (like rheumatoid arthritis), or post-injury degeneration that leads to joint inflammation and cartilage breakdown.

Tendonitis
Symptoms: Pain due to inflammation of the tendons.
Cause: Typically caused by repetitive stress or sudden increases in activity, leading to inflammation of tendons that connect muscle to bone.

Ankle Sprains
Symptoms: Ankle pain due to overstretched or torn ligaments.
Cause: Often a result of sudden twisting, rolling, or impact during sports or uneven walking.

Diabetic Foot Issues
Symptoms: Include nerve damage and reduced blood flow that can lead to infection, ulcers, and decreased healing ability.
Cause: Stems from long-term high blood sugar

While these conditions vary widely, the goal is always the same: relieve pain, restore function, and prevent further damage.

Not All Foot & Ankle Issues Require Surgery

One of the most common misconceptions about seeing an orthopedic specialist is the fear that surgery is the only option. Dr. Eilts emphasizes a conservative approach to treatment whenever possible. Many patients find non-surgical relief through physical therapy, injections to reduce inflammation, or bracing to immobilize and protect the area so it can heal.

When It Might Be Time to Consider Surgery

Of course, not all pain can be resolved non-surgically. If conservative treatments haven’t worked, or if your condition is worsening, surgical intervention might be the best path forward. Here are a few signs that it’s time to see a foot and ankle specialist like Dr. Eilts:

Chronic pain that doesn’t improve with rest or conservative care

Recurrent sprains or instability in the ankle

Numbness, tingling, or visible deformities

Limited mobility affecting your quality of life

Dr. Eilts takes the time to evaluate each case individually, using a physical exam and advanced imaging and diagnostics, to create a treatment plan tailored to your specific condition and lifestyle. If surgery is needed, he will walk you through every step of the process, from pre-op preparation to post-op rehab.

Don’t Wait on the Pain

The longer foot and ankle pain goes untreated, the harder it can be to fix. Trying to “tough it out” can sometimes do more harm than good. Whether you’re dealing with nagging heel pain, recurring ankle sprains, or diabetic foot concerns, Dr. Eilts and the team at Atlantic Orthopaedics are here to help. With a focus on personalized care and a full range of treatment options, we’re ready to set you on the path to recovery–so you can get back to doing the things you love as soon as possible.

If you’re suffering from foot or ankle pain, don’t wait it out. Get in touch to schedule an appointment with Dr. Eilts today.

What You Need to Know About Feet and Ankles

Your feet and ankles are the foundation of your body, supporting you through all your daily activities, and maintaining their health is important for mobility and overall wellbeing. The ankle is a complex joint that’s located at the junction of three bones: the talus (connects the leg to the foot), fibula (on the outside of the calf), and tibia (the larger shinbone). It acts as a hinge between the leg and the foot, enabling the foot to rotate or pivot.

The following tips can help keep your feet and ankles in good health:

Wear Proper Footwear
Choosing the right shoes can make a significant difference in the long-term health of your feet and ankles. Shoes, sneakers, or sandals should provide adequate support, cushioning, and a good fit to prevent issues like blisters, bunions, and plantar fasciitis. Avoid wearing high heels or shoes with poor arch support for long periods of time.

Exercise Regularly and Avoid Smoking
Strengthening the muscles in your feet and ankles can improve stability and prevent injuries. Exercises like heel raises, toe curls, and ankle circles help with both strength and mobility. Smoking is known to increase inflammation in the body, which can lead to rheumatoid arthritis, a common cause of joint damage. Smokers who undergo joint replacement are also at greater risk of surgical complications and increased healing time.

Maintain a Healthy Weight
Excess pounds put additional stress on your feet and ankles, increasing the risk of conditions like osteoarthritis and tendonitis. Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise will reduce excess pressure on your lower extremities and promote overall joint health.

Listen to Your Body
Pay attention to signs of pain or discomfort in your feet and ankles. Early intervention can prevent minor issues from becoming more serious problems. Don’t wait to consult a foot & ankle specialist if you’re experiencing persistent pain or swelling.

Atlantic Orthopaedics’ own Dr. Cameron Eilts is a board-certified Doctor of Podiatric Medicine and specialist in total ankle replacement surgery. Dr. Eilts was inspired to pursue podiatry due to his own history of sports-related injuries of the foot and ankle. He brings years of experience and expertise in the field and believes in approaching every patient with empathy and compassion. Dr. Eilts has been with Atlantic Orthopaedics since 2011, treating patients with a wide range of conditions, from sprained ankles to arthritis to diabetic limb care.

A recent patient of Dr. Eilts had this to say:

“Dr. Eilts is a great surgeon! Very intelligent, a good listener, and thoroughly explains everything. He provided a high level of attention and good advice during every follow-up appointment after my ankle surgery and thinks outside of the box for the best solution for each challenge I’ve had.”

Conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or posttraumatic arthritis from past injury to the joint can compromise foot and ankle function, leading to pain, swelling, and difficulty in movement. For patients who have not found relief through conservative treatments like anti-inflammatory medications, orthotics, or physical therapy, total ankle replacement may be the best option.

When should you consider ankle replacement surgery?

Patients with advanced arthritis, who have significant pain and limited mobility, are good candidates for the procedure. Ankle replacement surgery is not recommended for people with severe deformities, poor bone quality, active ankle infection, or neuromuscular disorders affecting the ankle joint. Most patients who undergo total ankle replacement experience relief from pain and improved mobility and can return to an active lifestyle.

What is involved in the procedure?

Before surgery, a thorough evaluation with imaging is done to assess the extent of the damage and tailor the procedure to the specific patient. Total ankle replacement surgery involves removing the damaged portions of the ankle joint and replacing them with prosthetic components that are inserted to recreate the joint, eliminating pain and restoring normal ankle function. The implant has two metal parts, with a plastic piece between them that allows them to glide smoothly.

What can I expect in recovery?

Immediately after surgery, the joint will be elevated to reduce swelling and encourage wound healing. Patients will then use crutches or a knee walker and wear a splint or boot for several weeks to immobilize the joint, until the foot and ankle can bear weight. Physical therapy is recommended to increase strength and restore range of motion during rehabilitation. Follow-up visits with your orthopedic surgeon will ensure that there are no post-op complications, and the ankle is healing properly.

If you’re suffering from severe ankle pain and reduced mobility, total ankle replacement surgery offers the potential for significant pain relief and a return to an active lifestyle. Schedule a consultation to determine the best course of treatment for your specific needs, whether surgical or non-surgical. Dr. Eilts and the team at Atlantic Orthopaedics are committed to providing comprehensive care to help every patient achieve optimal health and get back to doing what they love.

Voted Best Podiatrist 2023

Since 1987, our team of board-certified orthopedic physicians have delivered the highest level of care to the Seacoast community. Serving athletes and residents alike, we operate as the area’s premier orthopedic and sports medicine practice. It’s what we love to do, and because of that we were recently voted “Best Podiatrist” by the Seacoast NH community in the 2023 Best of the Seacoast awards and we couldn’t be more proud of our foot and ankle team for this accomplishment.

If you’re suffering from foot or ankle pain, don’t ignore it. Come see our foot and ankle specialists in Portsmouth, NH, or York, ME, led by Dr. Eilts. Our teams will evaluate the extent and severity of your foot or ankle pain and recommend the treatment that’s best for you. Contact us with questions or schedule an appointment online to have your hip pain evaluated and treated. Our offices can be reached at 603-431-1121 (Portsmouth, NH) and 207-363-3490 (York, ME).

Dr. Cameron Eilts Speaks at Specialist Meeting in Newport, Rhode Island

Dr. Cameron Eilts Speaks at Specialist Meeting in Newport, Rhode Island.

Dr. Cameron Eilts, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine at Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, was a speaker at The Podiatry Institute and The Rhode Island Podiatric Medical Association meeting in Newport, Rhode Island on April 25th through the 28th.

The meeting, called Surgical Pearls by the Sea, discussed current trends in the management of foot, ankle and leg disorders.

Dr. Eilts was a speaker for multiple segments throughout the weekend, and audiences included other Doctors of Podiatric Medicine.

Dr. Eilts is a faculty member at The Podiatry Institute. His specialties include Foot surgery; ankle surgery; wound care; diabetic limb salvage; non-surgical and surgical treatment of foot pain, foot deformity, pediatric flatfoot, ankle and foot fractures, plantar fascia, tendonitis, neuropathy, neuromas, heel spurs, ingrown toenails, hammertoes, warts, corns, calluses, bunions and other podiatry services. Learn more about Dr. Eilts here: https://www.atlanticorthopaedics.org/providers-surgeons-nh-me/eilts/

Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine is a leading practice on the Seacoast of New Hampshire. They have offices in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and York, Maine and physicians have full medical staff privileges at both Portsmouth Regional Hospital and York Hospital.