When it comes to foot and ankle problems, there is no better place to receive care than Panorama Orthopedics & Spine Center. We have the largest orthopedic foot and ankle team in Colorado and within the Rocky Mountain region, with four board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic specialists.
Our specialists are uniquely trained to diagnose and treat all acute injuries and chronic conditions of the foot and ankle, in young children and teens, as well as in active adults and seniors. Panorama’s physicians have undergone years of orthopedic residency training, including fellowships in foot and ankle reconstruction. Their experience makes them specially equipped to treat any condition from the toes to the knee, including complex foot and ankle deformities, sports injuries, arthritis, cartilage injuries, bunions and hammertoes.
A common misconception is that when you see an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon you will be discussing surgery. This is not true! In most cases, surgery is a last resort. In fact, fewer than 10 percent of Panorama patients who see an orthopedic foot and ankle specialist go onto surgery. We have many conservative treatments available. Some of these include: bracing, modifying footwear, orthotics/ inserts, physical therapy, injections or medications. Some patients may also benefit from protection within a boot or a cast.
If surgery is necessary, we offer advanced options at facilities that specialize in orthopedic care. Golden Ridge Surgery Center and OrthoColorado Hospital are the only orthopedic specialty facilities in the region, providing orthopedic-specific physicians, nurses and care teams.
Foot and ankle specialists: Should I see an orthopedic surgeon or a podiatrist?
This is a common question. In addition to orthopedic surgeons, you’re probably familiar with podiatrists, who can also treat foot and ankle conditions. But you may wonder who to see for your care.
One misconception is that people often see orthopedic foot and ankle doctors as surgical care providers versus a podiatrist, whom they associate with non-surgical foot care. Both specialties, in fact, do surgery and sometimes podiatrists perform more surgeries than orthopedic surgeons.
Another common misconception is that your problem is too small to be treated by a foot and ankle surgeon. This is not true! Our doctors specialize in providing care for common foot conditions such as, toenail problems, neuromas, hammertoes, bunions, plantar fasciitis and diabetic foot care.
The difference is that when conservative treatments fail, foot and ankle doctors are trained to provide the next level of advanced surgical care.
Orthopedic foot and ankle doctors take a more comprehensive approach to treating foot and ankle conditions. With their extensive orthopedic training and education, they are uniquely equipped to address both simple and complex problems.
Even when you see an orthopedic foot and ankle doctor, it does not mean you will be discussing surgery. In most cases, surgery is a last resort. In fact, fewer than 10 percent of Panorama patients seeing our orthopedic foot and ankle specialists ultimately need surgery.
The Panorama Difference - A Regional Center of Excellence for Ankle Replacement Surgery.
Ankle replacement is a very unique procedure and is not commonly performed. Panorama Orthopedics is a center of excellence for ankle replacement. Foot and ankle doctors here perform more total ankle replacements than anywhere else in the Rocky Mountain Region. In fact, our doctors perform, four-times more ankle replacements than anywhere else in Colorado.
Ankle arthritis does not need to be a lifelong sacrifice of avoiding the things that you love doing! Some patients with ankle arthritis may be candidates for ankle replacement surgery, where the arthritic ankle joint is removed and replaced with a new joint.
Ankle arthritis is rare and it is usually the result of an injury or the result of cumulative trauma that results in arthritis in the ankle. Candidates for ankle replacement are usually treated conservatively to start – utilizing anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, occasionally bracing.
When these conservative options fail to provide adequate pain relief, then the surgeon may look at arthroscopic surgery to clean out the arthritic joint or ultimately ankle fusion or ankle replacement as options to relieve pain.
Both ankle fusion and ankle replacement are good pain-relieving operations. A fusion can give permanent relief, but can result in stiffness or arthritis in the surrounding joints of the foot, because the other joints compensate for the fused joint. This can eventually lead to arthritis in the other joints. Ankle replacements have come a long way in the past fifteen years. Today, replacements allow for better range of motion and a more normal gait than a traditional ankle fusion. With a replacement there is less chance for arthritis to set in because it does not place undue stress on the other joints.
Unlike an ankle fusion, ankle replacements address the pain caused by severe arthritis, while also giving patients a fully functional ankle joint. In fact, the biggest surprise for patients is probably the speed at which they can move the ankle without having pain.
Although there are many advantages to total ankle replacements, not all orthopedic surgeons have received the training necessary to perform this complex procedure. That experience, along with our commitment to quality and evidence-based practices, makes us the best choice for foot and ankle care.
Adrienne's Story of an Ankle Replacement
Peter's Story of Ankle Replacement
Bunions - Common Causes and Treatment Options
A New Treatment Option for Painful Bunions
If you have painful bunions, there is a new, patented treatment option that aims to fix the root cause of the bunion and can often times have patients walking again within days of the surgery.
Lapiplasty 3D bunion correction is the newest way to address and repair bunions. Dr Desai is offering this exciting, new treatment option which does more than simply remove “the bump”; it addresses the bunion in three dimensions to correct the root of the problem. Advanced fixation technology is used to secure the correction in place, allowing patients to walk within days of surgery. Sometimes traditional surgery has failed to get to the true source of the problem – a 3-dimensional deformity caused by an unstable joint. This is why sometimes people who have had traditional surgery have had their bunions return.
With the new 3D bunion correction procedure, instead of cutting the bone in half and shifting the top part over, the patented Lapiplasty® Procedure uses specially-designed instrumentation to rotate the entire deviated bone back into its normal anatomical position, naturally straightening your toe; removing the “bump” and associated pain. Innovative titanium plating technology permanently secures the unstable foundation, the root of your bunion problem. Most patients are able to walk within days of surgery. No cast is required; allowing patients to get back to the shoe wear of their choice and activities quickly.
Learn more about the procedure by watching this short video:
Watch Laura’s story of Lapiplasty Bunion Correction:
If bunions are limiting your activities and lifestyle there is help!
Bunions can be very painful. With each step, your entire body weight rests on that bunion. Ouch! A common misconception about a bunion is that it is an overgrowth of bone that can simply be “shaved off”. In reality, bunions are complex deformities caused by an unstable joint.
The patented titanium plating technology used with the Lapiplasty®Procedure enables patients to bear weight on their foot early.1 The ability to do so can dramatically improve your recovery process, allowing you to walk up to 6-8 weeks earlier than with the more traditional Lapidus approach (which was previously the only option for addressing the unstable joint).
Being able to walk in a surgical boot, as opposed to being completely non-weight bearing (in a cast with scooter or crutches) for 6-8 weeks, means that you will be getting back to a better quality of life faster; may return to most occupations more quickly; and will be less inconvenienced by bunion surgery.
Watch Jen’s Story of Recovering from Lapiplasty Bunion Surgery
Watch John’s Story of Lapiplasty that got him back to Ballroom Dancing
Dr Desai Explains Lapiplasty - A New Way to Correct Bunions
Frequently Asked Questions About Lapiplasty
How long is the recovery?
Patients are typically walking within days of surgery. Patients can return to most occupations within days to a couple of weeks, wearing a surgical boot. Within six weeks, you can expect to be walking in comfortable shoes such as tennis shoes, however you should not plan on any high-impact activities for 3-4 months. Short shopping trips and leisurely strolls are examples of the types of activities that should be fine at this point. Around the 4-month mark post-op, you should be able to return to most activities and most shoe wear.
Can I wear fashionable shoes again?
The Lapiplasty® Procedure allows most patients to return to their desired shoes. Of course, some fashionable shoes can be painful (even with a normal foot!), so results can vary from person to person and shoe to shoe.
Can I play sports after the Lapiplasty® Procedure?
Yes, there are no permanent activity limitations after the Lapiplasty® Procedure. Most patients are able to return to most activities after the bones have completely healed at approximately 4 months.
Can the Lapiplasty® Procedure be performed on someone who has previously had traditional surgery?
Yes, the Lapiplasty® Procedure is an option that can be utilized by your doctor when a revision is required. Even if previously treated, patients can experience the same benefits from Lapiplasty® – with a permanently secured foundational joint this time around.
I’ve heard the term “reproducible” used when describing the Lapiplasty® Procedure. What does that mean?
“Reproducible” means that a procedure is easily repeatable with expected results. The Lapiplasty® Procedure utilizes precision, patented instrumentation designed to take the guesswork and “eyeballing” out of bunion surgery; helping ensure your surgeon can get reliable results over and over.
Can the Lapiplasty® Procedure be performed as an outpatient procedure & how long does it last?
Yes, Lapiplasty® surgeries are performed as outpatient procedures. Typically, the surgery will last just under an hour. If your doctor is performing any additional procedures at the same time, the surgery may take longer.
Four Types of Arthritis That Can Affect the Foot & Ankle
Dr. Kathrine Dederer walks through the different ways that arthritis can affect the foot. When people think of arthritis, they often think of the hip, knee, hands, and maybe the joints of the back or the neck, but they often don’t realize that the feet and ankles are also common areas for arthritis. There are 26 bones and just as many joints in the foot, so there are plenty of areas that can be affected by wear and tear. Arthritis symptoms typically begin in the forties and fifties and gradually get worse as people age. By the time people reach their sixties and seventies many individuals pursue surgical treatments to relieve the arthritis pain and get them back to feeling better and doing the things they love.
One of the classic signs of arthritis is bone spurs, which form adjacent to worn-out joints. Bone spurs are your body’s way of limiting motion in an arthritic joint and protecting you from pain. They may form as a result of previous ankle injuries or sprains, and can sometimes be mistaken for soft tissue cysts. There are four main areas of the foot that can be affected by arthritis:
Big toe – Big toe arthritis is common and symptoms often start when people are in their thirties or forties. People generally notice stiffness in the big toe and bone spurs often form which makes it hard to wear shoes. Sometimes these bumps may be mistaken for a bunion, although unlike a bunion, the bone spur is usually located on the top of the joint. People usually notice pain with activity, especially anything that requires flexion of the toe – yoga, running or getting into a ski boot. Fortunately, there are many non-surgical treatment options for big toe arthritis – from orthotic inserts for the shoe to steroid injections to help relieve the pain. There are also several surgical options, depending on the severity of arthritis. In mild cases, bone spurs can be removed to improve motion. For later stage arthritis, big toe fusions can be performedand provide excellent pain relief and allow for the return to previous levels of activity, including sports like running and skiing.
Midfoot arthritis – There are many joints in the mid-section of the foot. Pain in the middle of the foot, which is worse with going barefoot or wearing flip flops is usually a sign of osteoarthritis in the midfoot. People tend to notice that it gradually worsens and often describe it as a dull and achy pain that is similar to hip or knee arthritis. They may also notice bone spurs developon the top of their foot. Sometimes they can even get numbness and tingling in the toes when there is nerve irritation as the bone spurs enlarge.
Treatment options for midfoot arthritis usually start with footwear modifications.Shoes with a rocker bottom or rounded sole help to decrease stress through the midfoot area and therefore, decrease the pain. Sometimes orthotics that have a rigid bottom are also used to help decrease motion. If those options do not relieve the pain, surgery can be performed to fuse the small joints in the midfoot that are arthritic and causing the pain. Outcomes following this procedure are excellent with good pain relief. Even though there is a small loss of motion in those joints, people are better able to do the activities they enjoy, primarily because they no longer have the pain in their foot.
Ankle arthritis – Unlike hip and knee arthritis, ankle arthritis is most often caused by previous trauma, including ankle sprains or fractures that happened earlier in life. Individuals notice worsening stiffness, swelling, and pain usually across the front of the ankle, which is worse with activity. The onset of ankle arthritis can be earlier than in other joints, particularly with a history of previous injury. Treatment includes different types of braces to stabilize the ankle and limit painful motion. Steroid injections can be effective for temporary relief as well. In mild cases a surgical arthroscopy can sometimes be used to remove bone spurs and improve motion. For more advanced arthritis, ankle fusion and ankle replacement are both good options to relieve pain. Ankle fusion creates a rigid but painless joint, while an ankle replacement preserves motion and can allow for a more normal gait. Ankle replacement has advanced dramatically in the past 15 years, and can be a great option for some patients.
Sub-talar arthritis – The talus is the bone at the floor of the ankle joint and connects the ankle to the heel. The joint between the talus and heel bone below the ankle can develop arthritis either from trauma or osteoarthritis. Symptoms are usually pain when walking, especially on uneven ground such as sand or dirt trails. Steroid injections and bracing can help relieve pain and restore patients to activities. However, as the arthritis progresses, a subtalar joint fusion can provide excellent lasting pain relief. This procedure slightly stiffens the hindfoot, but preserves ankle motion.
The good news is that whatever type of arthritis may affect the foot, we have many options available to relieve the pain and keep you active and enjoying the things that you love.
Osteoarthritis of the Big Toe
Osteoarthritis is a disease that can affect every joint of the body, it leads to a breakdown of the cartilage cushioning in the joint. This wear and tear can cause chronic pain, stiffness and swelling, eventually causing those affected to stop doing the things that they love for fear of making the pain worse. When this pain occurs in the joint of the big toe, it is particularly obstructive.
Osteoarthritis of the big toe joint or MTP joint is the most common site of arthritis in the foot and can cause pain every time you take a step. It can be caused by injury, stress to the joint, or natural imperfections in the joint. The pain can sometimes become so severe that people are no longer able to walk.
What Are the Treatment Options For Big Toe Arthritis?
Fortunately, there are many treatment options when it comes to big toe arthritis. The first step to finding a solution is talking with your doctor to have your condition assessed. They can provide medications or splinting that may help. If your doctor decides that your condition would be served by physical therapy, you may begin a regimen with a physical therapist on top of medication or a system of cooling and heating to reduce the pain and inflammation in your big toe.
If you are still in pain, you doctor may send you to see a specialist. The foot and ankle team at Panorama offers the most comprehensive set of non-surgical and surgical options to solve big toe pain.
Among the most common are injections to reduce pain and inflammation and surgery to resolve the cause of your pain. If surgery is necessary, your options at Panorama include traditional procedures, such as a fusion or joint replacement, as well as, the newest option, a Cartiva implant.
Cartiva – The Little Solution to Big Toe Pain
Cartiva is an FDA approved synthetic implant that mimics cartilage in the big toe joint – replacing the cartilage that has worn away due to osteoarthritis over time. The implant feels similar to contact lenses and looks like a little, round, clear marshmallow. It is durable implant that is designed to not cause systemic irritation, and it is capable of withstanding repetitive loading in activities such as walking, running and jumping.
The procedure to get a Cartiva implant is covered by insurance and only takes about 30 minutes. and recovery begins immediately after surgery. With a Cartiva implant, swelling, stiffness and pain are reduced and flexibility is restored to the big toe. With the help of a physical therapist and the doctor patients are commonly back to your normal activities within 6 weeks.
If you are interested in Cartiva or any other solutions to your big toe joint pain, call for an appointment with one of our foot & ankle experts today.
Abby Gallant was born and raised in Yarmouth, Maine. She attended Bates College where she studied pre-med and received her Bachelor’s of Science degree, with a major in Biology, and was also a member of their women’s lacrosse team. She earned her Master’s Degree from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. Prior to working at Panorama, she worked in inpatient cardiology in Augusta, Georgia. She now lives in Denver with her husband, Alex, and German Shepherd, Penny. Abby enjoys running, hiking, skiing, camping, cooking, reading, and binge watching TV shows in her spare time.
Molly Burns - Physician Assistant
Molly Burns was born and raised in a small farm town outside of West Chester, PA. For her undergraduate education she attended the University of Colorado Boulder where she fell in love with the Rocky Mountains. She completed her Physician Assistant Master’s degree at Pacific University outside of Portland, OR.
She is overjoyed to call Colorado home and devoted to positively impacting the lives of patients. Molly looks forward to building strong foundations, advocating for patients, and has a caring approach to medicine.
Outside of medicine Molly finds joy in mountain biking, travel, yoga, fresh powder days and spending time with loved ones.
Emily Czyzyk - Physician Assistant
Emily Czyzyk grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania and attended college at the Villanova University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree. Following that, she attended Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Boston, MA where she received her degree as a Physician Assistant. Emily graduated and became an Orthopedic PA in 2017 where she worked in sports medicine, trauma, and general orthopedics in Richmond, VA prior to moving to Denver and joining Panorama in 2021. Emily is part of the foot and ankle team at Panorama and works primarily with Dr. Conklin and Dr. Deol. When she is not working, she enjoys skiing, hiking, live music, and hanging out with her adorable labradoodle.
Molly Burns was born and raised in a small farm town outside of West Chester, PA. For her undergraduate education she attended the University of Colorado Boulder where she fell in love with the Rocky Mountains. She completed her Physician Assistant Master’s degree at Pacific University outside of Portland, OR.
