foot pain – Page 2 – Anderson Podiatry Center

Have arthritis pain on the top of your foot? How we avoid joint fusion surgery.

Posted on July 18, 2023June 27, 2025 by admin

Feet are very important for daily function. Whether you are an active runner or like to go on walks for exercise, arthritis pain on the top of your foot can be an issue. The foot is very complex and we know that approximately one-quarter of all the bones in your body are in your feet. Halfway between the ball of the foot by the big toe and where you bear weight and the back of your foot whereby the ankle joint is the midfoot. There are multiple bones in this area that are cube shaped and comprise the arch. It’s a common area to get arthritis in the foot and ankle. These are the affected joints that may cause pain on the top of your foot commonly referred to as midfoot arthritis.

What are the common symptoms?

A boney prominence in this area is associated with the arthritic joint.
The prominence may rub against your shoe and cause pain.
There may also be numbness, burning or tingling in the same area because the bone spurs are rubbing against nerves beneath the skin.
Dull pain in the morning when you first bear weight.
There may be pain and swelling on the top of the foot. After a few minutes of walking the pain may subside.
Over time this pain may be more severe and prolonged hurting with every step you take

What are the causes of pain on the top of the foot?

The number one problem may be foot mechanics causing more wear and tear on these joints. This type of arthritis is called osteoarthritis. Some feet may be more prone to this issue. Therefore, you are born with the foot biomechanics that might make you more likely to get the problem. Oftentimes a foot type may put more forces through the inner side of the foot by the first and second toe joints. This will cause more stress at the two or three joints in the midfoot associated with these joints in the ball of your foot.

Trauma- there may be a history of trauma to the area. There may have been an old fracture of partial dislocation or sprain in the foot that now years later will create arthritis and pain.
Rheumatoid arthritis- pain from arthritis caused by autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.

What you can do for arthritis on top of foot?

You may need to get a larger shoe or one that is made up of softer material, so it does not rub against the boney spurs.
Get a stiffer soled shoe- if you’re getting dull pain in the area when you first bear weight in the morning this is a sign of joint arthritis so more support is critical.
Over the counter arch supports- using an over-the-counter arch support may also be helpful. This can add support to the shoes you have. In the elderly using devices such as a cane or walker may become necessary.
Choose different activities- If you run consider switching to hiking as this may cause less stress on the joints. You may also consider biking or swimming.
Lose weight- If you are overweight losing weight will put less stress through the joints and may reduce your pain.
Medications- consider using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDS. These anti-inflammatory drugs may help with the pain but don’t correct the problem and long-term use may not be good for the joints.
Supplements and intermittent fasting – this may help reduce inflammation and pain.

What your podiatrist can do?

Orthotics – this is a common type of treatment recommended especially if you’re getting pain from the joints in your midfoot as this is an indicator of arthritis and more support and dramatically reduce your pain. This process involves getting a non-weight bearing digital scan of your foot so that an orthotic can be made to more accurately support your foot.
Cortisone injections – These may be helpful if there is nerve damage from the boney spur irritating nerves on the top of the foot.
Laser treatments – This may also be an option if nerve pain is an issue. Our MLS therapy laser is quick to provide relief with no downtime in comparison to surgery.
Surgery – Surgery to remove the boney spur may be recommended in some situations where there is minimal joint pain but simply pain from the boney prominence.

Treatments for Joint Pain from Foot Arthritis

As the problem progresses what was once simply a painful bump on the top of the foot may now become pain from the joint that the spur formation is associated with. Then joint pain can become very severe in this area. Fusion of the joint has always been the go-to surgical option. This may involve removing the joint or joints and then using plates staples or bone screws to fuse the joint. It can be successful but there are risks and the lay-up period is weeks of non-weight bearing.

Arthritis Pain on the Top of the Foot: Avoiding Joint Fusion Surgery

Arthritis in the midfoot, also known as midfoot arthritis, is a common condition that can cause significant pain and limit mobility. Many individuals with this condition experience discomfort on the top of the foot, often exacerbated by walking, standing, or wearing certain types of footwear. While joint fusion surgery is a traditional option for treating severe cases, several non-surgical treatments are now available that may help alleviate pain and restore function without the need for invasive procedures.

Surgical Options

When non-surgical treatments fail to provide sufficient relief, surgery may be necessary to restore function and alleviate chronic pain. Traditional joint fusion surgery, also known as arthrodesis, is a common surgical approach, but other techniques may be considered depending on the severity of the arthritis.

Joint Fusion (Arthrodesis)

Arthrodesis involves permanently fusing the affected bones together to eliminate movement in the arthritic joint, reducing pain. While this procedure is effective, it does limit flexibility in the foot and may increase stress on surrounding joints over time. Recovery typically includes a period of immobilization followed by physical therapy.

Joint Resurfacing or Cartilage Repair

For patients with less severe arthritis, procedures that focus on preserving joint function may be an option:

Cartilage Transplantation: If the damage is localized, healthy cartilage from another part of the body can be transplanted into the affected area.
Osteotomy: A surgical realignment of bones to redistribute pressure and alleviate pain without completely fusing the joint.

These alternative surgical procedures can help maintain more natural movement in the foot while still addressing the pain and instability caused by arthritis.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options

For those seeking to manage arthritis pain in the top of the foot without undergoing surgery, various non-invasive and minimally invasive treatments can offer relief. These include:

Regenerative Medicine Treatments

Regenerative medicine is a groundbreaking approach that focuses on harnessing the body’s natural healing processes to repair and regenerate damaged tissues. The following regenerative treatments have shown promise in treating midfoot arthritis:

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: This treatment involves extracting a patient’s blood, concentrating the platelets, and injecting them into the affected area. PRP contains growth factors that stimulate healing and reduce inflammation.
Stem Cell Therapy: Stem cells, typically derived from a patient’s bone marrow or adipose tissue, are injected into the arthritic joint to promote tissue repair and reduce pain.
Prolotherapy: A series of dextrose-based injections that stimulate the body’s natural healing response to strengthen and repair the weakened ligaments and joints.

These treatments can help improve joint function, reduce pain, and potentially slow down the progression of arthritis.

Joint Denervation

Joint denervation is an innovative technique that targets the nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals from the arthritic joint. By selectively disrupting these nerve signals, patients can experience significant pain relief without altering the structure of the foot.

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): This minimally invasive procedure uses heat generated by radio waves to disrupt nerve function, providing long-lasting pain relief.
Nerve Blocks: Injections of anesthetic agents can temporarily block pain signals and help determine whether denervation might be an effective long-term solution.

This approach is particularly beneficial for individuals who are not candidates for surgery or who prefer a treatment that does not involve altering the joint itself.

Choosing the Right Treatment for Arthritis on Top of Foot

Determining the best treatment option depends on the severity of the arthritis, the patient’s activity level, and overall health goals. While surgical interventions remain a viable solution for severe cases, non-surgical treatments like regenerative medicine and joint denervation offer promising alternatives for pain relief and improved mobility.

We do it differently at Anderson Podiatry Center!

Regenerative medicine treatments – for over 15 years we have been one of the leaders in podiatry using restorative medicine. We currently use placenta or umbilical cord products. These are injected into the involved joints. This allows the opportunity for your body’s natural healing processes to reduce inflammation and trigger increased growth factors to repair resulting in pain relief. We have had great success with this option, and it works well as these are not load bearing joints like a knee. With less load, the repair is thought to be improved. These are done in the office and patients return to normal activities in days.
Joint denervation – This is a process that involves blocking the pain signals to the brain by removal of a sensory nerve branch. There are four nerves in the lower leg that do not affect muscle strength. Any one of them can be safety removed and will not result in weakness. If a branch is removed, it is buried into muscle and patients are ambulating within days. The success rate has been very good and allows patients to delay and in most cases eliminate the need for joint fusion surgery.

As you can see we have multiple options to get you back to full activities and also feel we are well-versed to reduce the need for joint fusion surgery. View our patient testimonials below and when you are ready to meet with a local foot doctor in Fort Collins, give us a call.

Our foot clinic in Fort Collins or our other podiatric foot care office in Broomfield, Colorado is staffed with compassionate, caring, and experienced staff. We will be glad to provide you with answers for arthritis on top of your foot.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Arthritis on Top of Foot

- What are the early signs of midfoot arthritis?
  Common early signs include pain on the top of the foot, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty walking or wearing certain shoes.
- How can regenerative medicine help with midfoot arthritis?
  Regenerative treatments like PRP therapy, stem cell therapy, and prolotherapy promote healing, reduce inflammation, and improve joint function without surgery.
- Is joint denervation a permanent solution?
  Joint denervation can provide long-lasting pain relief, but results may vary. Some patients may require repeat treatments over time.
- What are the risks of joint fusion surgery?
  Potential risks include loss of flexibility, increased stress on surrounding joints, prolonged recovery time, and possible complications such as infection or improper bone healing.
- How do I know which treatment is right for me?
  A podiatric specialist can evaluate your condition and recommend the best treatment based on your symptoms, severity of arthritis, and lifestyle.
- Can I still be active with midfoot arthritis?
  Yes, with proper management, including physical therapy, supportive footwear, and non-surgical treatments, many people with midfoot arthritis can maintain an active lifestyle.
- How long does it take to recover from joint fusion surgery?
  Recovery can take several months, including immobilization and physical therapy. Full recovery may take up to a year, depending on individual healing rates.
- Are there lifestyle changes that can help manage midfoot arthritis?
  Yes, maintaining a healthy weight, wearing supportive footwear, and performing low-impact exercises like swimming or cycling can help manage symptoms and reduce stress on the joints.

How Laser Treatment Improves Your Ability to Get Rid of Foot and Ankle Pain!

Posted on July 3, 2023July 12, 2025 by admin

At Anderson Podiatry Center, we like to bring you cutting edge technology. We feel it will allow us to deliver the best results for your foot and ankle care – and laser treatment is one of these technologies. We use the MLS laser system which brings the latest advancements in laser technology for your treatments. Laser is a treatment that is offered if conventional treatments are not working. This blog will introduce you to the laser treatment for foot pain option for foot and ankle issues.

How Does Laser Treatment for Foot Pain Work?

Our MLS laser therapy uses deeply penetrating light to help repair your body’s tissues. It is a “multi wave lock system”. MLS, that uses specific wavelengths of light. One wavelength penetrates closer to the surface and is continuous. Its primary function is to reduce swelling and inflammation. The second wavelength is pulsed and reaches deeper into the tissues and nerves for pain relief. Compared to earlier generation lasers, these lasers penetrate well below the skin layer (2-3 cm) allowing for more successful results. The laser works by stimulating your body’s own reparative processes. It very specifically helps the mitochondria in each of your body’s cells to do a better job. The mitochondria is an area of each cell that creates energy for the cell, repairs the cell, and eliminates waste from the cell. In this process three things occur:

Reduced Inflammation: The laser treatment can reduce inflammation and help speed up the reparative processes. This anti-inflammatory effect results with pain relief. This process also reduces swelling.
Positive effect on Pain Receptors: It also helps to reduce pain because of its effect on pain receptors. While your body’s healing processes are accelerated, the laser also helps to reduce pain.
More Blood Flow: The laser increases the blood to the targeted area. This aids in the healing processes which accelerates healing.

What is Treatment Like?

During this process, the laser light will be applied to the area being treated. There are a few things you’ll notice throughout the process:

You may feel a warming sensation, but the treatment is painless and there are no side effects.
The treatments can last for 15 to 30 minutes depending on how many areas are treated.
Generally, 6-12 treatments are recommended and are done 2-3 times per week.
You may begin to feel improvement after the first one or two treatments.

What Conditions Can Lasers Be Used For?

There are various reasons why we use laser for foot pain. Most commonly, we use laser in conjunction with surgery to accelerate healing and reduce swelling. Lasers can reduce scar tissue after surgery on joints to reduce stiffness. It can also accelerate the repair of nerves when we do nerve decompression surgeries to reverse the symptoms of neuropathy and restless legs. It is also used in conjunction with other treatment modalities for common foot and ankle conditions such as:

Heel Pain (plantar fasciitis): This is one of the most common foot complaints.
Neuroma Pain: This pain is in the ball of the foot which causes compression of a nerve branch in the ball of the foot.
Achilles tendonitis and other types of tendonitis.
Joint Pain: Laser has also been used to reduce the symptoms of arthritis in foot and ankle joints.
Neuropathy: This is a condition that causes burning, tingling and numbness in the foot and ankle.
Foot and Ankle Ulcers: This can speed up the repair of ulcer common in the diabetic foot.
Restless Legs: We have also used laser in conjunction with ESTIM electrical stimulation to reverse the symptoms of restless legs.
Foot and Ankle Injuries: It can speed up recovery from soft tissue injuries such as foot and ankle sprains. It can speed up the repair of damaged tissue.

In general, laser technology has allowed us to offer more options and to optimize the results we can offer our patients. If you’re frustrated with your foot and ankle issues, it’s something you may want to consider laser as a treatment option.

Testimonial from our patient who received laser treatment for foot pain!

Cutting Edge MLS Laser – Doctor/Patient Feedback

Sural Nerve Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Treatments

Posted on August 31, 2022June 30, 2025 by admin

Don’t be Fooled!

Sural nerve pain is a common problem that is overlooked or misdiagnosed by doctors. Your lower extremity, such as your back, can be a common guess for the source of your pain. Typically, this is not the case for most, and it’s important to investigate further for those whose nerve pain may be a mystery.

What is the sural nerve?

The sural nerve is a sensory nerve which means it does not supply to any muscles. For example; if you were to injure yourself, there would be no loss of muscle strength. Within the leg, the sural nerve has different origins, but in the foot, it supplies feeling to the lateral (outer) side of the foot near the small toe. On its pathway to the foot from the leg, it travels down the back of the calf and/or outside of the leg. The sural nerve’s origin may be from the common peroneal nerve, which is the main branch that supplies the top of the foot.

There are other potential origins of the sural nerve. One may be that it originates from the tibial merch, which is that main nerve that supplies the bottom of the foot.

There is also the potential that it may originate from both locations. The diagram visually demonstrates how both origins merge together to form one nerve, the sural nerve.

Location of Pain

The pain created by this nerve can be along any of the locations noted in the diagram above. There may be symptoms of burning, tingling, or numbness on the outer side of the leg. Additional locations of pain may be along the calf, or on the outside of the foot towards the small toe.

Causes of Sural Nerve Pain

Trauma: Different forms of trauma can be a leading cause of sural nerve pain. Trauma such as ankle sprains can create significant pulling and traction on the nerve. Ankle fractures involving the fibula may also traumatize this nerve. Direct impact to the nerve from being kicked, falling, or an accident, may also cause pain.

Entrapment: There are areas along the nerves pathway that may become entrapped, causing more pressure on the nerve. This is much like carpal tunnel syndrome in the hand.

Trauma From Surgery: This is a common cause of chronic pain CRPS (Complex regional pain syndrome). Chronic pain is in the news because of the opiate crisis in America. It is sad to face the truth that many are using, abusing, and dying because of overdose. Sadly, some of these patients’ pain could be related to this painful nerve branch. Various surgeries in the ankle and leg can injure the sural nerve, resulting in sural nerve pain. Here are some examples:

Heel Fractures: When the heel is fractured, surgery is performed on the outer side of the heel bone which is adjacent to the pathway of the nerve. Most surgeons know to avoid the nerve, however, even when good technique is used, a scar can occur which irritates the nerve. The nerve can become entrapped, and tangled in the scar.
Achilles Tendon Repair or Lengthening: Any surgery that is performed on the achilles tendon to repair or lengthen the tendon, places the nerve at a risk for injury.
Ankle Surgery: Any surgery of the ankle, especially for an ankle fracture, may also cause injury to the nerve.

Treatments

Avoid pain medications and anti-inflammatories! Why? Because these do nothing to identify or rid the main issue. In fact, if you suspect you have a sural nerve injury, and medication is your treatment, you may want to consider another professional opinion.

Physical Therapy: A deep massage or other techniques may be useful to break up scar tissue from around the nerve, especially if scar tissue is a part of the problem. In some cases, stretching may also be useful.

Cortisone Injections: Cortisone injections serve two purposes. They are used to identify the exact location of the injury to the nerve, and in cases where the pain is not severe, they may solve the problem

Surgery

Nerve Decompression Surgery: If the nerve is entrapped, surgery may be performed to release pressure on the nerve.

Nerve Resection: If the nerve is severely damaged from previous surgery or trauma, the nerve may be removed. These procedures are done in the lower leg, and the nerve ending that remains is buried into muscle to inhibit regrowth.

With a surgical approach, patients may ambulate within days. Again, this is because the nerve does not supply any muscle, therefore no functional impairment.
So, if you’re having a challenge with nerve pain in your leg that cannot be resolved either by misdiagnosis or the common; “it’s your back”, you may want to consider the sural nerve as the source. Don’t go down the path of many patients who are medicated, or going through back procedures. The root of the problem may be the small but very painful sural nerve!

How to Avoid a Visit to the Doctor’s Office When Experiencing Heel Pain

Posted on October 1, 2020July 1, 2025 by admin

One of the most common foot complaints is heel pain, which is commonly referred to as Plantar Fasciitis. Here we’ll discuss how to prevent a visit to the doctors office when experiencing heel pain and what you can do at home to help alleviate your symptoms.

The symptoms of heel pain often start at the bottom of your heel and are very prevalent when first getting up in the morning. This is a very common complaint, and even though the pain can gradually get better throughout the day, it’s important this is treated right away. When plantar fasciitis pain is mild, you have a better chance of reversing the pain with some simple recommendations.

Shoes and Orthotics

First and foremost, the most important thing to do is to make sure your shoes are not run down. Shoes eventually wear down and do not give the foot as much support as they used to, which can cause pain. If you’re an active runner or a walker, good shoe support is key. If you are flatfooted, this becomes even more significant.

With every step you take the foot flattens, causing the fascia to pull from your heel, which can cause symptoms of heel pain. So, utilizing more support in the shoe can be very beneficial. If you don’t believe your shoes are worn down, another option would be to buy over-the-counter shoe inserts, which are also known as orthotics.

There are many options when purchasing orthotics, and you can typically find them in an athletics store. However, be careful when going to an orthotics outlet because oftentimes these devices can cost several hundreds of dollars- and you’re better off seeing a podiatrist to have custom orthotics made to work for your foot type. Ideally, you should not be spending more than $10-$15 for store-bought inserts.

Icing the area of heel pain from plantar fasciitis

Icing is often used to treat sports medicine injuries and can also be employed for the reduction of pain and inflammation caused by heel pain. If you do choose to ice the area, it’s important to do it for 10 minutes twice a day. You can also roll your heel on a frozen plastic bottle as this can be beneficial.

Stretching

Stretching before you get up in the morning can also help as it can reduce the pain and inflammation of the plantar fascia. In order to stretch this area correctly you should keep your knee straight and put your foot up towards you. By keeping your knee straight you are stretching your calf and achilles tendon; this will allow your ankle to flex up more and thereby lessen the need for excessive pulling of the fascia. The band of tissue you can feel beneath your skin in the arch is the fascia. It is often suggested to be careful with this because there have been cases where this can actually worsen the symptoms.

Another way to help stretch the achilles, calf and plantar fascia is by using a night splint. Although they have shown to be useful for many, they can also be an annoyance and reduce sleep quality.

Anti-Inflammatories for heel pain from plantar fasciitis

Anti-inflammatories can also be taken. These medications help with the pain and inflammation for those experiencing mild plantar fasciitis. Anti-inflammatories can be taken for approximately one or two weeks to see if they help.

Cut Down on Activities

Lastly, it’s important to back off your activity level. While moving around may be a part of what you do, it’s not helping your heel heal! You can back off entirely, or even cut it down by 50%. One of the most common causes of heel pain is doing too much too soon. When people take up a new form of exercise, such as walking or running, it is important to factor in days of rest- especially since your body requires long periods of rest when injured. Resting is as important as the stress you put on your body to become more fit. Therefore, if you’re walking or running five days a week, maybe cut back to just two or three to see if there is improvement.

If you’ve attempted these treatments for heel pain from plantar fasciitis approximately three to four weeks and have seen no results, it’s probably time to consider professional attention as you may need more aggressive treatment options. Even so, it is important to note that early and aggressive intervention can spare you a trip to the podiatrist’s office.

The End Of Heel Pain! Our 1-2…..-3 Punch Treatment!

Posted on March 16, 2020 by admin

(Be sure to watch until the end of the video for an Ultrasound visual of before and after Ray’s fascia!)

Ray’s bump in the trail.

The plantar fascia has a BIG job. It stabilizes the arch of the foot and allows flexion of the first metatarsal, enabling the first metatarsal to carry the majority of the body weight. In other words, when the plantar fascia gets tired and aggravated, you’ll know very quickly! Your heel will hurt like crazy, especially if you’re an active person like our patient, Ray. “Before I came to see Dr. Anderson for treatment, I had heel pain for about a year. I would get this pain when I would run, or hike or snowshoe… so a lot of things that I enjoy doing!”

Running out of options…

“After about 9 months of this, I couldn’t run… I couldn’t do any of these things that I enjoyed.” Ray attempted physical therapy for relief, but with no avail. While we were impressed with Ray’s perseverance, we were very eager to ease him of his heel pain. After meeting with Ray, we found that he actually had Plantar Fasciosis, which means that his fascia was deteriorating rather than getting inflamed! Knowing this offered Ray the ability to get treatment specifically tailored to the ACTUAL cause.

Our 3 Step Approach!

“So I went to Dr. Anderson, who gave me custom orthotics, laser therapy, and regenerative medicine.” We ended up taking Ray through our 3 step approach for heel pain from start to finish! At Anderson Podiatry Center, our ultimate goal is to ensure we can get our patients back to the activities they enjoy as fast as possible. Ray was in a hurry to get back into action, and as exercise enthusiasts ourselves, we understood his urgency! We took him through these 3 steps so that he could get back out on the trail as quickly as possible.

It’s a RUNderful life!

“3 months after having the injection, orthotics and the laser therapy, I feel 100% better! I can run, I can hike, I can do anything that I want. Now I’m back to running 10-15 miles a week!”

Our doctors deeply care about our patients and their recovery, even well after we treat them. We always follow up with our patients, and after a recent follow up with Ray we were ecstatic to hear that he recently ran 9 miles without any heel pain! He was excited to announce that he is currently training for a half marathon.

If you or a loved one have been putting the activities that make you happy on the backburner! We would love to get to know you, hear about what’s been holding you back, and work with you to plan an approach to rid you of heel pain!

Bunion Pain – Gone!

Posted on March 12, 2020 by admin

New Year… New Feet… New Shoes!

“Beauty is Pain”

For Susan, the saying, “Beauty is Pain” rang very true when she discovered that trying to fit into her stylish shoes was causing her feet unbearable irritation and foot pain from her bunions! “They became very painful, and it was hard to find shoes that were comfortable.” Susan was one of many bunion (big toe pain) patients that we see in our office. In fact, there are 3 million cases reported in the United States each year!

Something had to be done…

“The bunions were really difficult because they had grown worse over the years. My mom had them horribly, and I just couldn’t go down that road. I decided to go forward with the surgery!” Susan couldn’t bear her bunions preventing her from sporting her favorite footwear any longer, so she came to us to get them removed. Bunion surgery has a high success rate and will have you walking comfortably for life.

Pop back in her step!

We were happy to help Susan with her unbearable foot pain. The surgery went remarkably well, and she is beaming at the sight of her brand new feet! “I’m so thankful, I can’t say enough about how good Dr. Anderson was and the staff, everybody has been great.”

Along with the support of her family, Susan should never be at a shortage of stylish footwear again. “My family pulled through for Christmas. I received a DSW gift card and I bought NORMAL shoes and they feel great! I’m very very happy with my new feet.”

Do you or a loved one have bunions? We would love to discuss options with you. Give us a call to make foot pain a thing of the past!

Expert, State of the Art Care | Experienced Doctors | Friendly Staff

Help Us With Our 31st Annual Shoes For The Holidays Campaign!

Posted on December 13, 2019 by admin

Sharing shoes saves souls.

A Mom who needed a pair of shoes to apply for a job, A boy whose ‘new’ shoes kept him from getting bullied at school, a homeless man whose shoes helped keep him warm in winter.

These are the stories we hear every year at donation sites from those who are truly in need and for whom a simple pair of shoes improves their self esteem or means the difference between getting a job and not, or protects from the elements while living on the streets.

“One in five people in Larimer County currently lives in poverty,” said Adriann Anderson, COO of Anderson Podiatry Center. “You need more than one pair of shoes and you can go through shoes pretty fast…the need just keeps recurring year after year.”

To help provide shoes to those in need, Anderson Medical Center is sponsoring the 31st Annual Shoes for the Holidays. They are hoping to bring in over 4,000 pairs of shoes and socks! Help them reach that goal by donating lightly used footwear, or by volunteering for the drive.

People can drop off their items at any of the following locations (call for specific times):

Anderson Podiatry Center – 1355 Riverside Ave. Suite C – (970)-484-4620

Runner’s Roost – 3500 S. College Ave. Suite 178 – (970)-224-9144

Immanuel Lutheran Church and School – 4650 Sunview Drive – (970)-667-4506

J. Day’s Appliance – 132 E. 7th St. – (970)-669-1357

Anderson Podiatry Center – 1440 N. Boise Ave. – (303)-469-2940

Anderson Podiatry Center – 1950 Bluegrass Circle, Suite 150 – (307)-634-7062

“Normally, people many times would think about just discarding them [shoes] when there’s still useful life left…” said Dr. Jim Anderson of Anderson Podiatry Center. “It’s helpful to have people continue to [donate]. We thank you all.”

To directly arrange a drop-off, contact Erin Bergstrom, co-facilitator, at (970) 691-0320 or Adriann Anderson at (970) 484 4621.

Those who want to volunteer with the drive can help with sorting the shoes and socks from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 4 at Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in Loveland. Call Erin (above) to sign up.

Thanks for your help with this very important and urgent need!

What Are Bunions and How To Treat Your Big Toe Pain

Posted on January 17, 2019July 1, 2025 by admin

Big toe pain can make you dread putting on your favorite shoes or boots am I right? Matt felt that way too but not anymore!

Matt called our office with fairly advanced big toe pain which had progressed to the point that walking was painful and running and sports were getting harder and harder to participate in enjoyably. His big toe pointed towards his second toe and he had a bump on his big toe joint, both of which are classic signs of a bunion. He like many were looking for a solution to end his pain and get back to the activities he enjoys.

Matt, like many other patients we’ve seen, felt discouraged because his feet ached to the point of distraction and caused downright pain!

Does walking or running hurt? Take look at your bare foot. Does your big toe point in toward your second toe? Does your big toe hurt to the point you’d classify it as big toe pain? Is there a bump on your big toe joint? If so, you might have a bunion.

Just What is a Bunion?

A bunion is a misalignment of the big toe joint. This misalignment causes the big toe to point outwards and rotate towards the smaller toes, and appears as an enlargement at the base of the big toe. Similarly, if you have a sizeable bump at the base of your little toe you may have a bunionette.

What are the Symptoms of a Bunion?

Some symptoms of bunions and bunionettes include:

Inflammation and redness in the enlarged joint
Irritation or tenderness
Inflammation in a small fluid-filled sac adjacent to the joint
Swelling
Localized arthritis in the joint (typically occurs during later stages of the deformity)
Chronic pain in the enlarged joint and toe

One of the worst effects of bunions is a decrease in activity level. Bunions can make you hesitate to be active, especially if you are in pain. With bunions it’s often impossible to run or go on long walks, and if you can walk, you have to slow down or alter how you walk to relieve some of the pain. This can cause additional problems from ‘favoring’ the painful bump.

What Causes a Bunion?

Although the precise cause of bunions is unknown, there are certain factors that contribute to them:

Inherited Genetic Factors: Though shoes can play a role in aggravating this deformity, the majority of bunions are a result of biomechanics, or inherited foot types. We also know that bunions are 10 times more likely to affect women than men.
Abnormal Biomechanics: Instability in the joint and muscle imbalance can create bunions.
Trauma: Though uncommon, some sprains, fractures, and nerve injuries have led to the development of bunions.
Neuromuscular Disorders: Certain disorders, such as polio, though rare, have had a correlation with the occurrence of bunions.
Limb-leg discrepancies: When one leg is longer than the other the longer leg tends to grow the bunion.

Bunions can make you dread putting on your shoes, limit what shoes you can wear, and greatly decrease your activity level. Yes, wearing loose and supportive shoes or taking certain medications like ibuprofen can help alleviate the symptoms, but those are only short term solutions.

How Do You Treat Bunions?

Though your symptoms may stay the same, it is vital to understand that bunions are progressive and will worsen over time! Also the longer you wait to treat them the more difficult or extensive the repair needs to be.

The good news is that there are long term solutions to treating bunions with big toe joint pain treatment:

1. Orthotics

We create custom orthotics here in our office. We take a three-dimensional scan of your actual foot and create the orthotic based on exactly what your foot needs. These correct the bio-mechanical imbalances in your feet and create a ‘neutral ‘ stance that takes the pressure off your big toe joint and relieves big toe pain.

2. Corrective Surgery

Surgery is a very successful procedure for treating bunions, and it is the best way to correct this deformity, relieve pain, and improve foot function. People tend to have a misconception about how much down time they will have after bunion surgery. But the great news is, in just three to four weeks after surgery, you can be back to your regular shoes again!

Don’t let bunions on your foot control any longer.

Call us today at our Fort Collins location (970) 484-4620, Broomfield location (720) 259-5053 or use our online scheduling system to book your appointment.

Elsie’s Story: Heel Pain & Knee Pain

Posted on April 17, 2018July 1, 2025 by admin

Walking On My Toes

Elsie didn’t have time for heel pain. She loved being active and going for runs, and suddenly heel pain had stopped her in her tracks.

“I was walking on my toes,” Elsie said. “The pain was so bad, I couldn’t put any pressure on my heels. So I had to stop running and I was looking for a solution.”

Heel Pain, Gone

Elsie came to see Dr. James Anderson, DPM, and tried conservative treatment first.

Dr. Anderson said, “Elsie had plantar fasciitis (heel pain). We tried orthotics first, but nothing was really helping her. Instead of doing surgery, we recommended stem cell treatment. Often, patients can avoid surgery, and experience pain relief with only one stem cell treatment.”

“I had the stem cell treatment,” Elsie said. “After only one week, the pain was totally gone!”

Two years later, she came to see Dr. Anderson for a follow up appointment, and she was back to running and her heel pain had not returned.

Then, Knee Pain

Elsie had started to have knee pain, and mentioned it to Dr. Anderson. “I wore my cartilage down on the top and bottom of my knee, and it was hurting when I ran.” she said.

Dr. Anderson had good news. “We have recently integrated our practice, and are now offering stem cell treatment for knee pain as well as shoulder and hip pain.”

Elsie was thrilled, “I’m a firm believer in stem cell,” she says. “Because I have not had any trouble with my foot since my injection.”

Dr. Anderson treated her with the newest regenerative product that contains umbilical cord stem cells. “Umbilical cord stem cell treatment has the highest concentration of stem cells, growth factors, and proteins, so it’s a highly-effective product and can help patients avoid surgery,” Dr. Anderson says.

The Power of Stem Cell Treatment

“Stem cell treatment is a really powerful tool,” Dr. Anderson explains. “Because it works by stimulating your body’s natural ability to heal.”

“As we age, our bodies begin to degenerate, and we start to have pain. But, stem cells have the ability to become any kind of cell. They can become bone, tissue, tendon, or cartilage. So, it’s an amazing treatment option for a variety of conditions.”

“We’ve treated plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and arthritis in the joints with stem cell therapies for years, and now we can treat knee pain, shoulder pain and hip bursitis as well.”

Back On Track

Elsie had the stem cell injection in her knee two weeks ago. “This week I was hurrying to do something, and I didn’t even mean to, but I started to run, and it didn’t hurt at all!”

“My knee just keeps feeling better and better every day,” Elsie says. “In another week or so, I’ll be back out there, running again.”

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Now offering a FREE new patient exam and consultation! Expires 6/30/18. *X-Rays, testing and treatment not included.

Call us today! Just mention this blog to receive the offer.

Learn more about regenerative medicine here.

Grace’s Story: Arthritis in Big Toe Joint

Posted on March 20, 2018July 1, 2025 by admin

On My Feet All Day

As a kindergarten teacher for many years, Grace was used to being on her feet all day. “I was busy,” Grace says, “And I just didn’t have time to address all my aches and pains.”

Grace had pain in her big toes, but she ignored it and kept up with her active life, and her daily one-mile walks. “I just sucked it up,” Grace says, “I think a lot of people do that when they are busy.”

Then The Pain Kicked In

When Grace retired from teaching, suddenly the pain kicked in. “I was having trouble walking because of the pain. Finally, I got tired of dealing with it and decided to find treatment.”

Grace went online, began researching, and soon found Dr. James Anderson, DPM. “I didn’t realize I had arthritis in my big toe joints,” she said. “You just know you have pain, but you don’t really know what’s going on until you go in and make an appointment.”

Regenerative Medicine + Surgery

Dr. Anderson says, “Because of the arthritis, there was a bone spur on her joint. I recommended surgery to remove it and clean up the bone. Then, we could follow up with a regenerative medicine injection.”

Grace decided to have the surgery, and then followed up with the regenerative injection, and laser therapy to help reduce inflammation and prevent scar tissue from forming.

“Regenerative medicine works by stimulating the body’s natural ability to heal, and the stem cell components help to regenerate the damaged cartilage,” says Dr. Anderson. “If we see the patient early enough, we can often use regenerative therapies to avoid surgery completely.”

“For Grace, this treatment approach helped us to save her joint and improve function! Many times, patients will have to have a joint fusion or replacement, and we were able to prevent that.”

Hitting the Trails Again

It wasn’t long before Grace was living the retired life she had hoped for. “I’m back to doing anything that I want,” Grace says.

“I can go hiking, and I can travel! I walk two miles every day, and I can wear any shoes I want to!”

Her advice for others is this. “Don’t wait any longer to address your pain. The longer you put it off, the more damage can occur. And then, that’s more time and money you will have to spend to resolve it.”

“Take the time to take care of yourself. It’s important.”

Call today to make an appointment, and we can discuss treatment options with you.

To learn more about regenerative medicine, click here.