One of the more common injuries we see in our population here in Traverse City is the dreaded ankle sprain. Many of us have had this painful condition as a result of a sports injury but it can even happen from a simple misstep on uneven ground or slippery ice. The result of rolling […]
Diabetes can cause serious complications in the feet, including ulcers, serious infection, and even amputation. A podiatrist can help! People with diabetes should do daily foot exams and see a podiatrist for a diabetic foot exam at least once a year. Did you know that an annual diabetic foot exam is vital to preventing […]
Dr. Daniel J. Spencer is originally a native of Houston, Texas. He went to Traverse City Central High school before graduating from The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with a Bachelor of Science as a Philosophy Major. In his senior year, he served as president of both the Philosophy and Biology clubs at UofM. […]
Men tend to ignore problems until they become a crisis… As Americans slowly return to normal activities, we are sending a clear message to our male—and particularly Hispanic male—patients: It’s time to start taking care of your diabetes. Men tend to avoid care and ignore complications of diabetes until it’s too late, and that […]
Bunions are a progressive deformity that results from mechanical imbalance and undue stress on the big toe joint. The leaning of the big toe toward the second toe throws the bones of the foot out of alignment, causing a protuberance of bone or tissue around the joint. Contrary to popular belief, bunions are aggravated, not […]
Pain on the back side of the heel at the insertion of the Achilles tendon is a commonly seen disorder in our practice. Research into the development of a spur in this area has been inconclusive as to what exactly is causing this to happen. Traditionally, this was thought to develop due to overuse, such […]
Just like selecting any article of clothing or accessory, shoes will fit and feel different for everyone. It is always important to try on your shoes in-store before you buy them. What feels comfortable for your family member or friend, may not feel comfortable for you. It is a common misconception (perpetuated by marketing strategists […]
All patients and healthcare providers lives have significantly changed since the recent outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States. We have had to take extreme measures to do our part in helping mitigate the spread of the virus, such as screening questions prior to appointments and rescheduling non-essential appointments. At the same time, there […]
What is a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)? A DVT is a venous thromboembolism (VTE) in one of the deep veins in the human body. The terms DVT and VTE are often used interchangeably. In layman’s terms, a DVT or VTE is called a “blood clot”. Blood clots stick to the wall on the inside of […]
What is a Charcot Foot? A Charcot [shar-koh] foot, sometimes called Charcot joint, is a complex syndrome characterized as a foot with multiple fractures and joint dislocations in a patient with neuropathy (loss of sensation) and a history of minimal or no known trauma. It is named after Dr. Jean-Martin Charcot, a 19th century French […]