- Warts
- Arthritis
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Diabetic Foot CareDr. Smith is available to treat foot and ankle ailments such as diabetic foot care, ingrown toenails, fungal toenails, warts and painful calluses. Our practice specializes in general foot care. Please call (717) 560-4310 for an appointment.
- Diabetes Care
- X-Rays
- Wound CareWound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with
- Ankle SurgeryFoot and ankle surgery may be performed depending on the severity of the injury. In any case, if you happen to develop a foot condition, it’s always advised you seek the counsel of a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and advised treatment plan. If you notice an abnormal growth, a change in the appearance of your foot or ankle, discomfort while standing or walking, or general foot pain, it would be in your best interest to seek professional help, especially if surgery is the recommended treatment for your case.
- BunionsMany patients have experienced severe foot discomfort due to bunions, plantar warts, hammertoes, stress fractures, blisters, ingrown toenails, and corns and calluses, to name a few. Foot pain is often associated with the following symptoms: swelling, redness, warmth, tenderness, discoloration, stiffness, as well as burning, tingling, and numbing sensations. It may help to check the feet daily for any abnormalities or deformities that may be causing the foot pain. Treatment for foot pain will vary on a case by case basis, along with the recovery process.
- Ingrown ToenailsMany factors influence the likelihood of developing an ingrown toenail. The most common way ingrown toenails are formed is due to an incorrect method in how the toenails are trimmed. If you cut your toenails too short or cut them at an angle, you’re putting yourself at risk of getting this condition. Another main factor that contributes to ingrown toenails is the choice of footwear. Those who commonly wear tightly fitted shoes, such as high heels, that do not give the toes enough room, put too much pressure on the big toes. This can create an ingrown toenail. To alleviate the pain, a small piece of cotton may be fitted underneath the nail. However, in more serious cases, total removal of the nail may be necessary.
- CornsCorns and calluses are hard layers of skin that usually form due to friction. Generally, they will be in areas of the foot that are bearing weight, or areas that frequently rub against the shoe. Soft corns are typically found between the toes.
- UlcerWhile it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.
- CallusesLosing a limb, particularly a lower extremity, is one of the greatest risks derived from diabetic foot ulcers. Preventing such a drastic outcome starts with undergoing an annual foot screening for those who have lost protective sensation in their feet. Next, experts believe that simple self-care techniques can allow patients to assume a certain amount of responsibility for their foot health. Knowledge of proper foot care and daily habits can go a long way in preserving limb health. This includes daily self-inspection. Regular and thorough self-examinations are critical for identifying early signs of foot injuries, calluses, or nail problems. By detecting issues such as blisters, redness, cracked skin, swelling, or abnormalities in their early stages, patients can prevent these problems from progressing into more severe conditions. Further, ill-fitting shoes that can make diabetic foot conditions worse include narrow-toed shoes, high heels, flip flops, or shoes that are too loose or tight. Timely intervention can help to prevent these issues from escalating into dire complications. If you are at risk for diabetic ulcers, it is suggested that you add a podiatrist to your medical team.
- FungusFungal toenails form due to an infection that gets in between either the cracks in the nail or possible cuts on the surrounding skin. When this occurs, it’s likely to discolor and thicken the nail; this makes it hard to care for or trim. The nail itself may also become brittle and could potentially crumble. The fungus under the nail may build over time, separating the nail from the bed and ultimately causing it to fall off if not treated properly.
- Sports MedicinePodiatrists perform foot and ankle surgery to treat a number of different conditions. These may include bunions, heel pain, flat feet, arthritis of the foot or ankle, sports injuries, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, complications due to diabetes, and fractures, to name a few. Again, the need for surgery is dependent upon the type of injury you are experiencing, as well as its severity. This also means that the recovery process for surgery will vary as well. With that being said, most podiatrists will recommend you get plenty of rest, stay off your feet, ice the affected area to reduce swelling, and elevate the affected area.
- Flatfoot Correction
- Heel Pain
- Orthotics and Prosthetic Therapy
- General PodiatryTo ensure your convenience, below is the information you need about our podiatry offices, including our hours, locations, appointment scheduling and insurance acceptance.
- Ankle InstabilitySports in which ankle sprains commonly occur include soccer, tennis, and cheerleading. Ankle sprains are caused by a tear in the ligament of the ankle, which typically occurs when the foot is rolled in an awkward manner. Ankle sprains are usually accompanied with bruising, swelling, and pain. Those who have sprained an ankle in the past may run the risk of developing chronic ankle instability. Those with this condition will generally feel a persistent pain, swelling, and tenderness in the ankle, and may experience the sensation of the ankle giving way when performing everyday activities.
- Ankle SprainIf you believe you have a foot or ankle injury that may require surgery, it’s highly recommended that you speak with a podiatrist as soon as possible to go over the best treatment option for your condition.
- Bunions ProblemsA bunion is a bone deformity usually occurring at the base of the big toe. This is a progressive condition that is made worse by inward pressure from tight shoes. Bunions can be very painful, and in some instances surgery may be necessary to remove them.
- Calluses
- Diabetic Foot CareDr. Smith specializes in providing conservative and minimally invasive treatments for sports medicine, heel pain, endoscopic surgery, diabetic foot care, ingrown and fungal toenails and general foot care. If surgery becomes necessary, Dr. Smith is a highly skilled, board-certified podiatric surgeon. He can take care of any surgical procedure his patients need when, and if, it becomes necessary.
- Flat Feet
- Fungus Toenails
- HammertoesHammertoes get their name due to the abnormal appearance of the toe, in which it bends down like a hammer. A hammertoe’s shape is formed by a deformed bending in the toe’s middle joint. There are many factors that play into how hammertoes form. Trauma to the toe, such as stubbing, jamming, or breaking it, can make the toe more susceptible to developing into a hammertoe. Age and gender also influence the likelihood of getting a hammertoe. Women have also been known to be more likely to develop a hammertoe compared to men. You’re also more likely to develop this condition as you age. Certain diseases, such as arthritis and diabetes, have been known to influence the likelihood of forming a hammertoe.
- Heel SpursA heel spur is a bony protrusion that occurs on the heel. It is often confused with plantar fasciitis, which is inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament. When a heel spur is painful it can make it quite difficult to walk.
- Heel Pain
- Foot Pain
- Ingrown ToenailsFor a proper diagnosis and advised treatment plan, we recommend you seek the care of a podiatrist as soon as you notice the warning signs of an ingrown toenail.
- Foot Injuries
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Podiatric SurgeryDr. Pete Smith has hospital affiliations with Lancaster General Hospital, WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital, and Heart of Lancaster Regional Medical Center. He holds board certifications from the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and the American Podiatric Medical Specialties Board. Dr. Smith specializes in all facets of foot care including heel pain, ingrown toenails, diabetic foot care, sports medicine, and foot surgery. Dr. Smith served in the U.S. Army from 1989 to 1993.