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The Podiatry Practice of Drs. Hal Goolman and W. Kemp Schanlaber offers medical and surgical care for a variety of foot and ankle conditions that affect people of all ages. These highly skilled, Board Certified Podiatrists diagnose and treat a wide assortment of disorders, diseases and deformities of the feet and lower limbs. Both Podiatrists are part of the Weeks Medical Center team. Their main office is conveniently located in Weeks’ Whitefield physician office. Dr. Goolman also sees patients at Indian Stream in Colebrook once a month and both podiatrists have office hours at Littleton Regional Hospital.

Some of the more common foot and leg problems that Drs. Goolman and Schanlaber treat include:

• Sores/wounds
• Ingrown toenails
• Hammertoes/bunions
• Flat feet
• Heel pain
• Calluses, cysts, corns, & warts
• Gout
• Tendonitis
• Stress fractures
• Sports injuries

Treatment of Hammertoes

There are a number of non-surgical and surgical treatments for hammertoes depending on the severity. One of the more successful and relatively simple, office-based procedures is called a flexor tenotomy. This procedure allows the toe to relax and can permanently correct hammertoe type deformities.

Permanent Removal of Ingrown Toenails

The Weeks’ Podiatrists offer a successful treatment for ingrown toenails that is relatively painless and in most cases permanently removes the ingrown toenail. There are very few complications associated with this procedure and normal activities can usually resume the following day.

Peripheral Vascular Disease or Poor Circulation

With peripheral vascular disease there is a gradual thickening and hardening of the walls of the arteries resulting in poor circulation to the feet and legs. The Podiatrists treat a wide assortment of vascular symptoms, including:

• Changes in the color of the skin
• Changes in skin temperature
• Cramping pain in the calf muscle
• Infections and sores

Neuropathy

Neuropathy is one of the more common problems seen by the Podiatrists at Weeks. It means that there has been damage to the nerves leading to the feet. Those who suffer from neuropathy in their feet experience burning and tingling sensations that can become quite painful. Numbness of the feet is another common symptom. Diabetics should check their feet daily for sores, cracks, and other injuries and keep blood sugar levels under control to help prevent damage to the peripheral nervous system. Proper diet and exercise are the best preventive tools.

Arthritis of the Foot and Ankle

Arthritis in the foot or ankle can result in inflammation, swelling, joint pain and difficulty walking. The Podiatrist will make a diagnosis after taking a medical history and performing a physical examination and additional tests. Depending on the severity of the arthritis, they will offer many types of non-surgical and surgical treatments. With proper treatment, patients with arthritis are able to manage pain and lead active lives.

Sports Related Injuries

The Podiatrists have extensive experience in sports medicine. The practice provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment of conditions related to sports injuries or overuse, such as stress fractures, tendonitis and bursitis, and traumatic injuries to tendons and ligaments in foot and ankle joints.

Achilles Tendon Pain/Injury

The Achilles tendon is a strong fibrous cord that connects the muscles in the back of the calf to the heel bone. Pain, if left untreated, can cause permanent damage including a tendon tear (rupture). Tears are often preventable if the pain is treated early. Partial tears can generally be treated non-surgically. Physical therapy may be used to regain flexibility and strength.

Certified Wound Care Specialists

Drs. Goolman and Schanlaber are Certified Wound Specialists. They offer a comprehensive approach for treating patients with non-healing sores and wounds. The doctors thoroughly assess each patient’s underlying causes that led to the chronic wound and recommend an individualized treatment plan to meet the specific needs of the patient. They use the latest scientifically proven methods and technologies in treating patients with chronic wounds.

Advanced Care for Foot and Leg Ulcers

Both Podiatrists are trained in the use of a bio-engineered skin replacement, such as Dermagraft or Apligraf, which are skin substitutes used to help close diabetic and other circulation related foot ulcers. When the Dermagraft or Apligraf is placed on the ulcer, it is gradually absorbed and human cells grow into place and replace the damaged skin. The living cells produce many of the same proteins and growth factors found in healthy skin, which helps replace and rebuild the damaged tissue in a diabetic foot or leg ulcer.

Foot and Ankle Surgery at Weeks

Surgery is considered when non-surgical treatment fails to alleviate foot or ankle problems. Both Drs. Goolman and Schanlaber are Board Certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. They provide a wide range of state-of-the-art foot and ankle surgeries at Weeks Medical Center, including:

• Surgical treatment of ankle & foot fractures
• Bone fusions
• Tendon repairs
• Bunionectomies
• Nail problems
• Skin biopsies
• Infections
• Arthritis
• Removal of cysts and bone spurs
• Nerve surgery

Versajet Wound Care System

The Versajet Hydrosurgery system used at Weeks is a specialized powered surgical tool designed to improve care for patients undergoing wound debridement. This unique system can reduce the number of procedures some patients may have to undergo.

Custom Orthotics/Specialty Shoes

There are many orthotic devices that can be used to treat various conditions of the foot and ankle. They are often very effective in relieving common complaints and improving overall function of the foot or ankle. The Podiatrists at Weeks create custom castings for orthotic devices and braces in their Whitefield office. Drs. Goolman and Schanlaber are part of the Medicare Diabetic Shoe Program for individuals who suffer from poor circulation. These specially prescribed shoes help prevent ulcerations and skin breakdown. They have special padding and more depth in the toe box area.