Blog Archive

Bone spurs are extra growths that appear on various bones throughout the body. You may have several bone spurs and not even know it because they don't always cause symptoms. However, getting a bone spur on your heel or foot can be incredibly bothersome. Heel spurs can lead to severe...

After surgery, it's routine to rest for a few days and allow your body to begin the healing process. But after orthopedic surgery on your foot and ankle, it's crucial to begin improving mobility quickly so you can get back to driving, work, and everyday activities. Post-operative mobility begins the...

The peripheral nervous system encompasses the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. It’s vulnerable to damage from uncontrolled diabetes and injuries, which can cause uncomfortable symptoms like numbness and tingling. Living with peripheral neuropathy or diabetes puts you at risk for various health issues, including Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. Without...

Your feet take a beating regularly, especially when you're on them for most of the day. Over time, the stress on the feet can lead to various conditions, including heel pain, bunions, and Achilles tendinitis. Bunions are a prevalent foot deformity that affects the big toe joint but can also...

Nothing's worse than waking up first thing in the morning to stiffness and pain – except getting out of bed and trying to walk, but you can't. Living with hallux rigidus is a real problem when you're active and enjoy walking or running. With hallux rigidus, the big toe joint...

Wounds happen for various reasons; some are the result of trauma, while others develop from chronic conditions like diabetes. Treating whatever type of wound you have correctly to avoid infection and other complications is essential. More minor, less complex wounds don't usually require professional treatment unless you notice signs of...

Ingrown toenails are a common complaint, often causing discomfort when walking or putting on shoes. In most cases, they aren't a severe issue unless they become infected. The good news is that you can prevent ingrown toenails from occurring or recurring simply by understanding how to cut your nails correctly....

Injuries can happen at any time, but they're especially devastating when they occur at work. Even mild injuries can mean time off work and loss of wages unless you file for worker's compensation. If you're hurt at work and need medical attention, you should file a worker's compensation claim to...

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the many forms of the disease that affects the joints throughout your body. It's an inflammatory condition that sometimes causes permanent damage to the joints and surrounding tissues. Living with RA is tough, but weathering through the pain isn’t the best idea. Without the proper...

Your feet are an essential part of the body, so it's hard to get things done when you suffer an injury or have a painful wound. People who have diabetes are at a higher risk for foot wounds, but anyone can have a cut or laceration on their feet that...

Putting on your shoes and walking down the street can be excruciating when you have bunions. Severe bunions may cause other foot issues and make it nearly impossible to wear your favorite shoes. Surgery isn't ideal for anyone, but it may be necessary when you can't get relief through other...

An ankle sprain or fracture is devastating, especially when it takes weeks or months to heal properly. However, the recovery process is more critical than you may realize. The biggest threat to your joint after a severe ankle injury is chronic joint instability, which causes the lateral aspect of the...

Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition when the plantar fascia under the sole of your foot becomes inflamed and the pain unbearable. Too much strain on the feet every day can lead to this condition, making life difficult and uncomfortable while on your feet. You can treat plantar fasciitis at...

Running is an extremely popular way to stay in shape and improve overall fitness. People from all fitness levels run anywhere from a half mile to an entire marathon. While many people run thousands of miles each year without any issues, running does put a lot of strain on the...

You're on your feet often throughout the day: at work, school, and physical activity. The constant pressure on the feet puts them at risk for specific injuries, including a plantar plate injury. The plantar plate is a tough, fibrocartilaginous joint capsule thickening where the proximal phalanx (toe bone) and metatarsal...

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic condition that affects various joints, including the ankle joint. OA develops over time, damaging the protective cartilage lining the joints. OA often leads to pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion in the affected joints, which is especially detrimental in the ankles. Several treatments are available...

Ankle pain can happen for various reasons, including an injury or stubborn osteoarthritis. No matter what's causing the pain, one thing's for sure — you need effective treatment to get back to your busy life. While other treatments cover up the pain, platelet-rich plasma offers a unique opportunity to heal...

Bones are the body's framework, meeting together to form joints that aid in movement and mobility. Your bones are constantly breaking down and rebuilding in a process known as remodeling. For remodeling to happen, the bones need a healthy blood supply. If the blood supply is weak to your foot...

Uncontrolled diabetes often leads to problems in your legs and feet, including diabetic ulcers and peripheral neuropathy. Another of the conditions that diabetes causes is called Charcot foot. Although Charcot foot is uncommon, it's a severe complication of diabetes. It leads to serious deformity in one or both of your feet....

Heel pain is an uncomfortable problem, primarily when it affects your everyday activities and doesn't seem to let up. If you don't remember a specific injury to your foot or heel, you may have damaged your foot through your shoes. Dr. Jeffrey E. McAlister and the Phoenix Foot and Ankle Institute team offer cutting-edge...

Your feet take on a lot of stress daily, sometimes leading to issues like sprains or fractures. If you're active or have certain foot conditions, you're more prone to problems like stress fractures in your feet. When you're experiencing pain or other symptoms in your feet, Dr. Jeffrey McAlister and his team at Phoenix...

Severe pain in your heel may be a sign of plantar fasciitis. If you're overweight, your chances of developing this condition are higher because of the increased stress on the plantar fascia in your feet. If you think you may have plantar fasciitis, Dr. Jeffrey E. McAlister and the team at Phoenix Foot and Ankle...

Persistent ankle pain affects how you walk and inhibits your ability to do the activities you love. If you've tried conservative measures without significant symptom relief, you may need to consider surgery. An ankle replacement is a way for Dr. Jeffrey E. McAlister to stabilize your ankle joint and provide...

Many issues lead to pain in your feet and toes, one of which is a condition known as a hammertoe. A hammertoe is a problem where your first toe joint points upward and becomes rigid as your tendons tighten around it. You must seek treatment early on for a hammertoe,...

If you have Achilles tendinitis, you’ll have problems walking and performing your normal activities. The pain of this condition can be unbearable until you seek treatment. But do you need surgery right away? There are several other ways you can manage this condition with the help of the team at Phoenix Foot...

When you have diabetes, you need to pay special attention to your feet. If you develop peripheral neuropathy, you may have trouble with sensation in your feet and toes. Decreased sensation leads to injuries and sores on your feet. Another complication of diabetes is Charcot foot and ankle. If you're not...

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that affects just about any joint in your body. Your ankles are especially at risk, because of the wear-and-tear they see every day. When your arthritis pain is ruling your life, you need to find a treatment that works. Joint injections are one of the...

The average runner lands with the force of three times their own body weight & it can take your shoes’ cushioning more than 24 hours to recover. The aging effect or breakdown of your running shoes can be influenced by various parameters such body weight, run speed, foot strike pattern...

Ballet is an excellent way to stay in shape and dance with a purpose. However, it takes a lot of hard work and discipline, both of which can lead to overtraining and injury. You’re especially prone to foot and ankle injuries when you’re involved in ballet because of the specialized footwork...

An ankle injury really puts a damper on your normal activities. Whether you have a fracture or a tendon injury, it’s likely you’ll need a walking boot while you recover. These boots are vital to keepmstress off of your injury, but they can be hard to get used to. At...

Your ankle relies on your peroneal tendons for stability — so when they rupture, it creates the perfect storm for an unstable joint. These tendons are prone to tendonitis, inflammation that, when left untreated, causes tears in these vital tendons. There are, however, treatments that can help. At Phoenix Foot...

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition often associated with diabetes, but other diseases lead to it as well. Charcot-Marie Tooth disease is a progressive condition that weakens the muscles and nerves in your legs and arms. If left untreated, it causes immobility and deformities in your feet, making simple tasks difficult....

Your ankles undergo a lot of wear-and-tear throughout your life. While this doesn’t always end up with chronic pain, sometimes, ankle arthritis is the result. Arthritis in your ankles can truly be debilitating, so knowing the signs helps you get early treatment to avoid serious complications. At Phoenix Foot and...

You’re on your feet for the good part of the day — every day. This means if there’s a problem with your feet, your life can be turned upside down pretty quickly. Flat feet are just one of the problems that can occur, leading to joint pain and other problems...

When your heel hurts, it could be due to a number of different issues. However, one of the most common causes of a painful heel is plantar fasciitis. While this condition is common, it leads to a lot of pain and discomfort if you don’t treat it. At Phoenix Foot...

When you have pain in your feet or toes, it makes your day-to-day tasks very difficult. Even if the pain comes and goes, it still poses a problem with the activities you love. There are a number of different conditions that can lead to pain in your feet, one of...

High impact exercises like certain types of cardio and running are good for your health. But, while these are great ways to stay in shape, overdoing it can result in a painful condition known as achilles tendinitis. This condition makes it difficult to get around without excruciating pain in your...

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic health problem that affects the way your body uses glucose for energy. It’s also related to how your body uses insulin to regulate your blood sugar. Either way, diabetes affects more than just your blood sugar; it can affect other areas of your body as...

If you’ve ever broken a bone, the worst issue you have is being in a cast for a few weeks, right? Unfortunately, that’s just not true. A broken bone may lead to several other complications, including decreased blood supply to the affected bone. The result is avascular necrosis, or the...

Your ankle plays an important role in your ability to do many tasks throughout the day. It takes on a lot of your weight when you’re up and about, so it’s no surprise that the bones and cartilage in your ankle can become damaged. One of the common causes of...

Arthritis is a debilitating disease that can affect any joint in your body, but it’s especially bad when it affects your ankle joint. Conservative treatments for ankle arthritis may dampen the pain for a short time, but the pain often returns. If your arthritis is severe and nothing else has...

Heal that Wound Now! Having an open wound, increases the chances of infection. If you have a non healing wound on your lower extremity, it is essential that you act to get it healed as quickly as possible to prevent infection and further complications. If you have diabetes, you are...

Walking and running may seem like simple tasks — but not when you have a broken bone in your foot. One of the common types of fractures that affects these activities is known as a Jones fracture. This fracture may seem small, but it leads to big problems if not...

A broken ankle isn’t something you ever want to happen — however, sometimes it’s unavoidable. Not only does this type of injury cause pain, it can also lead to permanent complications if you don’t get prompt treatment.  At Phoenix Foot and Ankle Institute, our team is ready to help you...

Your feet are a vital part of you getting around, so when something causes pain, it makes your life difficult. Hammertoes are one such painful — and common — problem. At Phoenix Foot and Ankle Institute, our team members are experts in many different ailments of your feet and ankles....

By Jeffrey E. McAlister, DPM, FACFAS and Usman Urooj, DPM What is Tranexamic Acid? Tranexamic acid (TXA), available in oral, topical and IV forms, is a drug that belongs to the antifibronyltics drug class. It is used to treat or prevent excessive blood loss. TXA can be utilized to prevent...

Injuries to your foot and ankle aren't just painful, they can also leave you couch-bound for weeks. If you’ve tried treatment after treatment without a significant amount of relief, moving on from your injury might seem hopeless.  But have you considered platelet-rich plasma therapy? It might be just what the...

Smart Robotic External Fixator A smart robotic external fixation system developed for orthopedic treatment by OrthoSpin Ltd., a portfolio company of The Trendlines Group Ltd., has received the regulatory clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). External fixation devices are hardware used to hold broken bones together...

The Achilles Tendon Tendons are tissue that connect muscles to bones. The Achilles tendon, then, connects the muscles of the calf (the gastrocnemius and the soleus) to the heel bone (calcaneus). The Achilles tendon is subject to a remarkable amount of stress, especially for recreational athletes. Any sport that involves...

https://www.podiatrytoday.com/essential-guide-treating-cavus-foot-deformities The Page can be ready by clicking on the link above!   Given the multifaceted nature of cavus foot deformities, these authors offer pertinent insights on the diagnostic workup, discuss keys to appropriate procedure selection and provide step-by-step pearls for surgical repair.  Although an individual with a cavus foot...

Every day, your body is at risk for injury, whether it’s at your job or during leisure activities. This is certainly true for your ankles, as they bear your weight throughout the day. You don’t want to be down with an ankle injury, so learning how to prevent them is...

Your feet are a vital part of your body that bear the brunt of your weight all day. This is especially true if you’re active or are on your feet for work. When something like a bunion starts to form, it can cause you a great deal of pain and...

Updates in Foot and Ankle Rehabilitation Recover Faster with PFAI!   Are you looking to recover from your Achilles rupture repair or peroneal tendon repair? Faster? Check out the article below written by our SPOONER Physical Therapy colleagues (Ryne Foster and Brett Fischer) Blood flow restriction (BFR) training allows us...

As you get older, your joints start to deteriorate from wear-and-tear. This leads to pain, along with stiffness in your joints. Arthritis is the main culprit for this degeneration, and mobility becomes a problem due to the damage. Many treatments help to slow the process down, but there’s only one...

Living an active lifestyle can have a lot of benefits for your health. However, if you’re not careful, it can also lead to painful injuries or conditions that can leave you sidelined. Heel pain can be especially difficult, because your feet have to support your entire body while you’re upright....

If you're an active person, you know exercise is great for your soul, but hard on your body. Running can cause an especially painful condition on the back lower portion of your leg called Achilles tendonitis. It can cramp your workout, and leave you sidelined. At Phoenix Foot and Ankle...

Medicine has come a very long way over the years. If you’ve ever suffered an injury, or you’re suffering from a chronic medical condition, you know there are a plethora of available treatment options for you. Some of these treatments can be very invasive and require that you take a...

Sporting activities such as baseball, football, and soccer are great ways for you to stay in shape while enjoying time with friends. But if you’re not careful and prepared, these activities can lead to more than just a loss on the field. Sports injuries can really put a damper on...

Have you been diagnosed with arthritis? You may think the condition is more common as you get older, but surprisingly, almost two-thirds of those in the U.S. with arthritis are between the age of 18-64. Perhaps you’re an athlete in your 40s who’s had a traumatic injury to your ankle. At Phoenix...

ReNu® Amniotic Regenerative Therapy Injectable amnions or amniotic suspension allografts (ASA) are a popular topic of conversation in the foot and ankle arena. Foot and ankle injuries can be debilitating and render a patient “mobility impaired”. Once degenerative changes take place, tendinosis and/or osteoarthritis can elicit pain and discomfort leading...

  Minimally Invasive Bunion National Lecture Key Considerations In Open Versus Minimally-Invasive Techniques  Taking on the controversy of open versus minimally-invasive surgery (MIS) techniques for distal metatarsal osteotomies, Jeffrey E. McAlister DPM, FACFAS acknowledges that disagreement exists. Citing a 2018 study, he shares that open versions of this procedure yield...

What is Radial Shockwave Therapy? Radial Shockwave Therapy is an FDA cleared technology proven to increase the rate of healing for soft tissue tendinopathy. It is an advanced, non-invasive and highly effective treatment method that enhances blood circulation and accelerates the healing process causing damaged tissue to gradually regenerate. What...

Introducing Wellevate @ PFAI   This online custom dispensary will allow each and every patient to connect with Dr. McAlister and his team to get you the right supplements when you need them. Typically, most patients will start taking their supplements and nutrition powders about 2-3 weeks ahead of surgery -...

Proper nutrition is critical for quality lifestyle but it’s a must before and after foot and ankle reconstructive surgery. Getting prepared for surgery takes a little (a lot of) planning. Consider pre-surgery nutrition as similar to getting ready for a marathon or a big event. You need to prepare yourself...

    Your Best Recovery after Foot & Ankle Surgery Your Success is our Mission. Ankle surgery recovery takes time—typically at least six to eight weeks, depending on the type of surgery and the severity of the injury.1 Recovery downtime is inevitable, but there are steps you can take to help move...

Dr. McAlister and Virtual Visits Dr. Jeffrey E. McAlister,a board-certified, trusted foot and ankle surgeon at Phoenix Foot and Ankle Institute in Old Town Scottsdale, AZ, now provides patients with the ability to communicate remotely with video. After recent governmental changes to the Medicare/ CMS laws, they have allowed physicians...

A Closer Look At A Total Talar Replacement And Ankle Arthroplasty   Discussing a case of recalcitrant pain for a patient three years after an open left talar neck fracture dislocation and failed surgeries, this author shares insights and pearls on performing a total talar replacement and ankle arthroplasty.  Foot...

Maintaining Perspective On The Debate Of Open Versus Minimal Incision Bunion Surgery February 14, 2020 By Jeffrey E McAlister DPM FACFAS   There has a been a small uptick in the number of lectures, industry events and articles that have been published on minimally invasive, percutaneous or minimal incision approaches...

Foot and Ankle Revision Surgery Foot and ankle injuries are very common, especially for people who are athletes who push their bodies and train hard. Some injuries may require foot and ankle revision surgery. These injuries may be caused by: Falls Overuse Trauma Previous Surgery Worker's Injury Worker's Compensation Personal...

Ankle Arthritis is Painful  But there are successful options for you!   Recently, Dr. Jeffrey E. McAlister implanted the second H3 Total Ankle Replacement in Arizona.  This is groundbreaking for the movement of the profession and how technology is proving us wrong. Only a few years ago there were very...

Plantar Fasciitis and Your Options   Regenerative Options are State-of-the-Art   As an educator and leader in foot and ankle treatment and surgery, Dr. McAlister has incorporated regenerative medicine for the foot and ankle into his practice. He uses the following modalities of regenerative medicine when appropriate to help patients...

Please make sure to get a reservation! Call now or make an appointment online!   The premiere Phoenix Foot and Ankle Institute will be opening its doors on December 9, 2019.   Our team will make sure to get you taken care of!   Call 602-761-7819 or make an appointment...

According to a recent study by the American Podiatric Medical Association, 80% of Americans experience foot pain on a daily basis. Those with chronic foot pain such as bunions, hammertoes, ankle pain, fractures and diabetic foot disabilities, can even become debilitating.  Dr. Jeffrey E. McAlister is a fellowship trained foot...

Do you suffer from Bunion pain? Big toe pain?   Dr. Jeffrey E. McAlister has been performing a highly technical and advanced procedure for the correction of a common problem: bunions. Click here to watch Dr. McAlister's Patient Educational Webinar to learn more! A bunion, also known as “hallux valgus,” is...

Did you know that a common ankle sprain can eventually lead to debilitating ankle and foot arthritis over time? Unlike the hip and knee, ankle arthritis develops slowly over time,  usually from a traumatic event such as an ankle sprain or fracture. For a long time, the only correction was...

Dr. Jeffrey E. McAlister and the AOSM team have partnered with KiSS Ankle Co. to provide the highest quality ankle braces for the athlete.  Patients with acute and chronic ankle sprains or inversion ankle injuries are susceptible to continuous injuries, possible fractures and furthermore – arthritis.  The down-under company from...