Frequently Asked Questions

A podiatrist is a type of physician who provides medical care exclusively for the feet and ankles. As with doctors in other medical disciplines, all podiatrists must graduate from an accredited medical school (in this case a school of podiatric medicine) and complete a minimum of three years of hospital or clinic-based residency training. This earns them the title of doctor of podiatric medicine, or DPM.

Feet are often overlooked or underestimated by the general public, but they are actually incredibly complex machines that are absolutely critical for overall health and well-being. Because podiatrists receive years of rigorous training exclusively in foot and ankle treatment, they are the best qualified specialists to address any pain in this area of the body.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Darren Elenburg, podiatrist in Oklahoma City, please call (405) 418-2676.

After earning their bachelor’s degree with an appropriate pre-med program, all podiatrists must graduate from an accredited podiatric medical school to receive their doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) degree. However, their education does not end there.

Podiatrists must also complete a surgical-based podiatric residency program lasting up to 4 years, typically at a hospital or clinic. This residency provides a young DPM with broad experience in the full breadth of foot and ankle care, along with specialized training in one or more specific focus areas.

Beyond residency, podiatrists will need to complete additional accredited and approved continuing education credit hours regularly throughout their careers in order to maintain their license. This is so podiatrists will continue to develop their knowledge and skills and stay up-to-date with the latest research and procedures.

Furthermore, some podiatrists choose to continue their education by completing board certification programs from specialty boards and organizations. Board certification demonstrates mastery of various aspects of podiatric care and is a sign of a committed, exceptional physician. Dr. Elenburg is board certified in both foot surgery and reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. 

The ankle is supported by various ligaments and tendons connecting bones and muscles together. Given all the connective tissues necessary to support this oft-used joint, it should come as no surprise that ankle injuries are fairly common, including cases of tendonitis.

Tendons that can be injured in the ankle joint include the extensor, peroneal, and Achilles tendons. When these become inflamed, it can often be attributed to overuse, abnormal foot structure, or a related injury, like a ligament sprain. Symptoms that indicate an injury include pain, swelling, and stiffness.

Tendonitis is a condition that is often successfully treated with the use of conservative measures, but it is important to make sure it is resolved before resuming intense physical activity. Here at Foot & Ankle Center of Oklahoma, we can provide an effective treatment plan and let you know when the time is right to go back to exercising. Contact our OKC office today by calling (405) 418-2676, or use our online form to schedule your appointment.

Bunions develop because the bone just behind the big toe spreads out. Feet get wider and flatter as we mature, and the big toe begins to drift towards the second toe because the tendons pull it in that direction. Bunions typically happen to adults as the feet begin their natural changes of flattening and getting wider, but they can be genetic, so sometimes (very rarely) even little kids develop them.

There are various reasons why bunions develop in adults and in women more than men. Perhaps the most common is that footwear restricts the foot from spreading out more naturally—extremely rural aboriginal tribes who never wear shoes, for example, have relatively few problems with bunions. Other reasons include the fact women have more flexible joints than men and have a higher rate of bunions. Their footwear is also frequently more restrictive.

We also know from studies that women who have had three or more children develop bunions more frequently and their feet get wider and flatter more than women that do not have children. Rapid weight gain during pregnancy puts additional strain on the feet.

No matter the cause of your bunion, contact Foot and Ankle Center of Oklahoma and schedule a visit to receive the treatment and care you need. Call our Oklahoma City office today at (405) 418-2676 or use our online form to request your appointment.

Inspecting your feet on a daily basis is one of the most important parts of diabetic foot care. Over half of the individuals who have diabetes are also affected by neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy is a condition where glucose in the bloodstream has damaged the nerves to the point that they either send faulty signals—pain, burning, or tingling sensations that shouldn’t exist—or no information at all.

When your peripheral nervous system doesn’t send information to the brain, you remain unaware of issues that happen to your feet. Making this an even more dangerous situation is the fact that your body does not heal itself or fight off infections in an effective manner. As such, you need a new system for ensuring that minor wounds do not become major complications.

A daily foot inspection enables you to keep in touch with what is happening with your feet. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, you can seek treatment before it becomes a critical issue. This could potentially save your life.

If you need treatment or have questions about diabetic foot care, call Foot and Ankle Center of Oklahoma at (405) 418-2676 or use our online form to contact us.

Hammertoes cannot be corrected without surgery. This is a progressive condition, which means that it will worsen without treatment, but nonsurgical care for this particular toe deformity is centered on managing existing symptoms and preventing it from becoming worse. Conservative care includes such measures as medication, padding, and custom orthotic devices.

Treating toe deformities with nonsurgical methods is more easily performed while the toe is still relatively flexible. Surgery for hammertoes is typically recommended for cases that have become painful and rigid.

Let the experts here at Foot & Ankle Center of Oklahoma show you how nonsurgical options can benefit a hammertoes condition. We will use conservative methods as part of a treatment plan to relieve pain and other associated symptoms. Of course, surgical procedures may be necessary for severe cases, but we are equipped with skilled staff and the right equipment to perform them in such instances. Call our OKC office today at (405) 418-2676 or use the online form found on our website to schedule your appointment.

The most common cause of heel pain is a condition known as plantar fasciitis. Most patients are able to recognize this condition by the sharp pain experienced with the first steps of the day or those following prolonged periods of rest.

Treatment options for plantar fasciitis are either conservative or surgical in nature. Fortunately, most cases can be treated with the use of nonsurgical methods, including rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers. The best treatment for plantar fasciitis, though, is actually stretching and we can recommend various stretches that are particularly effective.

In rare cases where conservative options do not provide the desired results, we may need to perform a surgical procedure to release an excessively-tightened fascia. This is typically something we only would consider in cases of severe pain that cannot be treated in an alternative manner.

Whether the root cause is plantar fasciitis or another other condition, you can always receive the heel pain treatment you need here at Foot & Ankle Center of Oklahoma. Contact us today by calling (405) 418-2676 or request your appointment online and we will diagnosis the source of your pain and create an effective treatment plan for you.

A heel spur absolutely could be the cause of heel pain, but it is difficult to say without providing a proper evaluation. Like other bone spurs, the growth itself may not be painful. Perhaps the best way of thinking about this is that they resemble regular bone tissue. In the same way that an unbroken tibia is not going to be painful, neither would a spur.

That said, these deposits of calcium can cause pain and inflammation in soft tissue around them. This is particularly evident when a heel spur develops in conjunction with plantar fasciitis – the most common cause of adult heel pain. In this case, the spur that has developed on the underside of the heel irritates the fascia, which responds with a sharp, stabbing pain.

Remember, whenever you experience pain in your heel, our professionals here at Foot & Ankle Center of Oklahoma are ready to help. You will receive an accurate diagnosis of the condition and an effective treatment plan to relieve the pain and allow you to return to favorite activities. Give our OKC office a call at (405) 418-2676 or schedule an appointment online today.

Much like many foot and ankle conditions, toenails that grow into the surrounding skin can be treated with either conservative methods or surgical procedures.

Conservative treatment for an ingrown toenail typically begins by soaking the foot with the affected nail in warm water for 15-20 minutes. This serves to relieve tenderness and reduce swelling. After soaking, you can gently lift the ingrown edge of the nail and place a bit of waxed dental floss underneath to encourage it to grow above the skin. Apply antibiotic ointment to the tender area and then cover with a bandage. Taking pain relievers and wearing sandals or open-toed shoes can reduce discomfort.

For severe pain or recurring issues, ingrown nail removal may be necessary. This can be done for either a part or all of the nail. We perform this procedure in our office and will provide the information you need for both before and afterwards.

Whether your condition can be corrected with conservative treatment or you need to have a chronically-ingrown nail removed, Foot & Ankle Center of Oklahoma can help. Contact our OKC office today by calling (405) 418-2676 or use our online form to schedule your appointment.

There are various approaches that can be taken to prevent heels from cracking, including moisturizing feet regularly. This practice is most effective when moisturizer is applied after showering or bathing and before bed. For increased effectiveness, socks can be put on after the moisturizer to help seal it in overnight.

Limiting the temperature and duration of baths or showers is another approach for preventing the excessive dryness that causes heels to crack.

Obesity can play a role as well, since excess weight on the heel pads cause the skin to expand further than it otherwise would. Maintaining a healthy bodyweight can help keep heels from cracking.

Individuals who live with diabetes have increased risk of dry skin, on account of uncontrolled blood sugars. Carefully managing your glucose levels can lower the risk of heel fissures.

If prevention methods do not keep skin on your heels from splitting, home remedies are often quite successful at addressing the problem. In the event you or a loved one develops a severe case, or has diabetes, our professionals at Foot & Ankle Center of Oklahoma can help. Call us at (405) 418-2676 for more information or simply request an appointment with us online today.