You know Kent State has a medical school – you’ve likely even seen the grand Georgian-style building that houses the College of Podiatric Medicine while driving on Route 77. But did you know that tucked inside the College is also one of its full-functioning teaching facilities, the Cleveland Foot & Ankle Clinic (CFAC)? Another location is conveniently located at the DeWeese Health Center.
Every Wednesday, you can find a pop-up podiatry office staffed by our very own Doctor of Podiatric Medicine students and Director of Clinic Operations for CFAC, Scott A. Spencer, DPM. Dr. Spencer and students staff the clinic to treat the aching feet of the Kent State community, like Vanessa Vesely, who recently saw Dr. Spencer for a minor issue that was treated on the spot. “I was very pleased with the care that Dr. Spencer and the student provided to me. They were very thorough in assessing my situation,” Vesely reports, “I followed Dr. Spencer’s recommendation, and it has resolved the issue. They took their time with me and were so kind and helpful! Plus, it was very convenient to go to DeWeese, just a short distance from my office.”
Like Vesely, everyone needs a podiatrist at some point in their lives! Aside from obvious sprains and breaks, here are five pesky pains that may be a sign of a larger issue and reason to pay Dr. Spencer a visit:
- You’re experiencing heel, arch or midfoot pain when getting out of bed. Having pain after sitting, walking, standing for a long period of time, or when you first step out of bed or climb stairs isn’t something you have to live with. You might be showing signs of plantar fasciitis! Because this condition is known to worsen over time without treatment, it’s recommended that you meet with a podiatrist as soon as possible.
- You have warts on the bottoms of your feet. Plantar warts are very common with more than 100 kinds of the virus in existence. If you suspect you have plantar warts, you may have pain or tenderness while walking, small fleshy lesions on the bottom of your foot or a callus where a wart has grown inward over a well-defined spot on the skin. Your podiatrist will help you find the best treatment method for your specific case.
- You love your high heels but suddenly feel like you constantly have a rock in your shoe. Morton’s neuroma is a condition common in athletes and women favoring high heel shoes that presents itself as a sharp, burning pain the ball of the foot that may lead to numbness. A podiatrist can work to alleviate the pressure on nerve through injections, or in severe cases, surgery.
- Your big toe is red, swollen and causing pain. If you’re cutting your toenails too short or straight across, you’re likely to develop an ingrown toenail. While a common discomfort, this is certainly not one to ignore. A podiatrist can safely remove the ingrown nail for you and help ensure that it doesn’t return.
- Your toenail appears thick, oddly shaped and discolored. The area of the toe is generally warm and damp, which makes it a great area for fungus to grow. If left untreated, a fungal infection can spread, which is why it’s so important to get professional help early on and look into your treatment options.
To make your appointment for Dr. Spencer’s next Wednesday at DeWeese, visit the Cleveland Foot and Ankle Clinic website.