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Sebastian, FL 32958
Welcome to the Patient Information Center! Here you will find information about the most common foot and ankle ailments. Click on any of the issues below to find out more about specific problems and what treatment options are available. Here you will also find links to interesting websites pertaining to podiatry. If you have any questions, feel free to Contact Us through the website or give us a call!
The path to board certification by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery (ABPS) begins after graduating from an approved podiatric surgical residency program after which our doctors pass a rigorous written examination to become board qualified. Next, doctors spent up to 6 years of their initial practice time collecting various patient cases which demonstrate to the ABPS their decision-making, competency, and skills as a foot and ankle surgeon. After submission of these cases, detailed review, and acceptance to the ABPS, doctors sit for the ABPS oral examination held in Chicago, IL.
Our patients can feel confident that they are being treated by a foot and ankle surgeon who has dedicated years of her education, training, and experience to achieving board certification status by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery.
The American Board of Podiatric Surgery website has a wealth of information about podiatry and the requirements that must be met.
A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) is to the foot and ankle what a dentist is to the mouth, or an ophthalmologist to the eye — a doctor specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of foot disorders resulting from injury or disease. A DPM makes independent judgments, prescribes medications and performs surgery. The human foot has a complex interrelation with the rest of the body which means that it may be the first area to show signs of serious conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Since the podiatric physician is often the first to detect symptoms of these disorders, he or she becomes a vital and sometimes lifesaving link in the health care team.
The American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons is a professional society of thousands of foot and ankle surgeons. Their website contains a plethora of information about advances in podiatry and connects its members to share that knowledge.
FootHealthFacts.org is the official consumer website of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. This is a wonderful resource of information! From what foot injuries Olympians have suffered from during the 2012 London Olympics to a growing trend in lawn mower accidents, you will find interesting, informative and compelling articles in the world of Podiatry.
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What is a Soft Tissue Biopsy?
A soft tissue biopsy is the removal and microscopic examination of a small sample of soft tissue for diagnostic purposes. “Soft tissue” includes the skin, fat, muscle, and tendons that surround, connect, or support other tissues or organs.
Soft tissue biopsies require little time or involvement from the patient. They enable the foot and ankle surgeon to reach an accurate diagnosis and determine the best treatment for the specific condition.
Conditions Identified by Soft Tissue Biopsies
Non-surgical treatment may help relieve the pain of a plantar fibroma, although it will not make the mass disappear. The foot and ankle surgeon may select one or more of the following non-surgical options:
Freckles (macules)
Benign pigmented, or colored, spots (moles or nevus)
Fungal or bacterial infections
Rashes (such as eczema or dermatitis)
Lesions related to a disease affecting the entire body (such as diabetes)
Nodular conditions (such as a ganglion cyst, lipoma, or fibroma)
Toenail conditions (onychomycosis, psoriasis)
Wart-like growths on the skin (benign keratoses)
Premalignant conditions (actinic and seborrheic keratoses)
What Does the Biopsy Involve?
A biopsy involves removal of a small piece of tissue, and takes just a few minutes. The procedure performed will depend on the tissue to be sampled. After numbing the area, the surgeon performs one of the following:
Shave biopsy. A thin piece of tissue is shaved off.
Punch biopsy. A small, round instrument removes a tiny core of tissue. Stitches may be needed.
Incisional or excisional biopsy. A piece, or the entire lesion, is removed. Stitches are often needed.
Once the sample is obtained, the surgeon sends it to a clinical laboratory so that the condition can be identified. The specimen will be examined by a pathologist who specializes in evaluating soft tissue biopsies.
After the Biopsy
Patients should follow the instructions provided by the surgeon for care of the biopsy site. If the area has stitches, an appointment will be scheduled for their removal.
It usually takes several days for the lab results to arrive at the surgeon’s office. If the patient has not heard about the results after 10 days, the surgeon’s office should be contacted. Biopsy results, as well as additional treatment that may be required, will then be discussed.
Vero Beach Location
Monday:
9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Tuesday:
9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Wednesday:
9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Thursday:
9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Friday:
9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Saturday:
Closed
Sunday:
Closed
Sebastian Location
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
1:00 PM-5:00 PM
Wednesday:
Closed
Thursday:
1:00 PM-5:00 PM
Friday:
9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Saturday:
Closed
Sunday:
Closed