Sims & Associates Podiatry uses the latest digital imaging technologies to diagnose and treat advanced foot and ankle injuries. Each office is equipped with digital x-ray allowing patients to have their x-rays done on-site while they see the doctor. No waiting at another facility, no scheduling a separate appointment and no additional travel. Instead you have your x-ray results in seconds to review along with the doctor.

In addition to on-site digital x-ray, each Sims & Associates Podiatry office has 3D digital orthotic scanning which allows the doctor to take a precise, three-dimensional scan of your foot to from which your custom orthotics are crafted. No guessing, manual measurements that can be off or messy plaster molds. All digital scanning technology that gives the most precise measurements and 3D model.

Non-surgical or non-invasive treatments can sometimes be a better option for treating certain foot and ankle conditions. With non-invasive treatments you don’t have to worry about recovery from incisions, removal of sutures (stitches), scarring, or risk of infection from the surgery. Some of the advanced, non-surgical treatments we are using at Sims & Associates Podiatry include:

• Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT®) shock wave therapy uses acoustic pressure waves to safely increase metabolism and blood flow, stimulating and enhancing healing. EPAT® is used to treat plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis and many other foot and ankle injuries. This advanced treatment is not something you’ll find at many, if any other local medical practices due to the substantial investment and training needed. You will, however, find it at world renowned orthopedic facilities such as Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City using it to treat their patients. If it’s good enough for HSS it is good enough for Sims & Associates Podiatry.

  See what actual Sims & Associates Podiatry patients have to say about EPAT Therapy treatment for their plantar fasciitis in this video.

• Custom Fit Orthotics are used to correct irregularities in a person’s gate or walk due to a myriad of foot and ankle conditions. We use 3D digital scanning technology to create a three-dimensional image of the foot to ensure a proper set of custom orthotics are made to fit perfectly. And these are not like those bulky, heavy orthotics from years past. Advances in materials and production methods have made modern day orthotics sleek and light but still able to correct many uncomfortable foot and ankle conditions.

Minimally Invasive Treatments

Minimally invasive treatments are procedures that are performed using small incisions or no incision at all making recovery much shorter and lessens the chances of complications or infections from the procedure. Some of the advanced, minimally invasive treatments we are using at Sims & Associates Podiatry include:

• Flexor Tenotomy is an alternative treatment to surgery for hammertoes. It is performed through a small incision on the bottom of the toe allowing the patient to walk immediately after the procedure.

• Plantar Instep Fasciotomy is a procedure used to treat plantar fasciitis without a large surgery that has a long recovery. This minimally invasive treatment is done through a small incision in the bottom of the foot allowing the patient to be walking and back to work or school in just a few days.

• Percutaneous Fixation is used to repair a fracture of the fifth metatarsal (pinky toe). This procedure is performed through a small incision on the side of the foot allowing for minimal risk of infection and much faster recovery compared to a surgical repair.

• Dermal Graft Tendon Repair is a procedure that uses a graft of dermis (layer of skin located below the epidermis) to help repair a ruptured tendon such as the Achilles. The dermal graft helps repair the tendon resulting in a stronger repair and quicker healing.

• AmnioFix® Injection is an all-natural injection therapy designed for soft tissue injuries in the foot and ankle. It is a good alternative to surgery or steroid injections for reducing inflammation, the formation of scar tissue and enhancing the healing of micro-tears in soft tissue.

Advanced Wound Care Therapy

Advanced wound care was once something that was only done in large hospitals and had limited applications and success. With advances in technology and treatments, today’s wound care is light years ahead of where it once was. Sims & Associates Podiatry has invested substantially in advanced wound care therapies and training including a partnership with the Wound Care Center at MidHudson Regional Hospital to aid patients such as diabetics and others that have trouble with healing. Some of the advanced wound care therapies we are using at Sims & Associates Podiatry include:

• Vacuum-Assisted Closure or Wound VAC Therapy uses a vacuum device to remove ambient air pressure over the area of the wound to help the wound heal more quickly. This also gently pulls fluid from the wound, reduces swelling and can remove bacteria aiding in the wound healing process.

• Biologic Skin Graft Substitutes are used to aid wound closures and promote healing. Similar to an autologous graft (skin graft harvested from the patient) they are used to cover an open wound aiding in wound closure. Unlike an autologous graft, a biologic skin graft substitute does not require an area of donor skin or tissue thus reducing the painful, invasive procedure of harvesting the graft. Further, using a skin graft substitute also alleviates creating additional wounds to heal on a patient.

• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy involves exposing the body to 100% pure oxygen at a pressure that is greater than normal. Under these conditions, your lungs can gather more oxygen than would be possible breathing pure oxygen at normal air pressure. Your blood carries this oxygen throughout your body which helps fight bacteria, stimulates the release of growth factors and stem cells which promote healing.