Surgical Podiatry

What Is Surgical Podiatry?

Surgical podiatry refers to the diagnosis and surgical remediation of conditions relating to the feet, ankles, and lower extremities.

This can involve any issue that impacts a patient’s ability to move or effectively use their lower limbs, such as bunions, sprains, torn ligaments, flat foot, broken bones, and so on. People of all ages could require the services of a surgical podiatrist, from neonates to the elderly.

Podiatric surgery is also relatively common in the sporting field, as the lower extremities can suffer impact trauma in full contact sports. Foot and ankle reconstructions are a common specialty for Board Certified Foot and Ankle podiatric surgeons.

What Do Podiatric Surgeons Do?

Podiatric surgeons specialize in providing expert care and treatment to patients with issues below the knee.

Surgical podiatry is a particular specialization following medical school, much like neurosurgery or dermatology. Following four years as an undergrad and four years in medical school, future podiatric surgeons spend an additional 3-4 years honing their skills until they are experts in their field.

Within surgical podiatry professionals can specialize further in certain procedures such as reconstructions, trauma, diabetic limb salvage and sports medicine.

Who Needs Podiatric Surgery?

Anyone who is suffering from any debilitating condition affecting their lower extremities could benefit from a consultation with a podiatric foot and ankle surgeon.

Those who play contact sports are at greater risk of requiring surgical assistance for broken bones, strained muscles or joint reconstructions. People who suffer from bunions caused by tight shoes or genetics could also improve their quality of life through surgery.

How Are Podiatric Surgeries Assessed?

Podiatric surgeries are assessed in much the same way as any other surgery.

Your podiatric surgeon will consult with you and ask you about what is troubling you and what you would like to address. They will collect a detailed history of your injury to determine the likely cause and the best corrective procedure.

To have the most complete picture of what is happening around the injury site, x-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds may be requested to ensure the surgeon has as much information as possible before the procedure.

Once all the information has been gathered and assessed by the surgeon, they will discuss your options and what they perceive to be the best course of action for you.

What Podiatric Surgeries Do We Perform?

Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital is proud to offer an extensive range of podiatric surgeries to our community from one of the leading podiatric surgeons in the state. Some of the procedures we offer include:

  • Orthopedic deformities – bunions, hammer toes, flatfeet, arthritis in ankle and foot
  • Sports Medicine Conditions – tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, sprains, tendon ruptures
  • Warts – hand and feet
  • Ingrown nails
  • Wound care
  • Diabetic limb salvage
  • Emergent fracture repair below the knee
  • Neonate/ Pediatric care consulting and surgical

How Long Does It Take To Recover From Podiatric Surgery?

As with most types of surgery, recovery times for podiatric surgery will vary depending on the complexity and extent of your particular procedure.

Average recovery times for something like a foot and ankle reconstruction can take up to 9 months, whereas a bunionectomy could have a recovery time around 8 weeks.

Whatever your situation, your podiatric surgeon will explain the aftercare required for your procedure and ensure you are set up with any physical therapy or dressing changes you might need during your recovery period.

John Niemela, D.P.M - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Surgical Podiatry
JOHN NIEMELA, D.P.M

Dr. Niemela is an Upper Peninsula native from Marquette, MI. He graduated with Honors from Michigan State University with a Bachelors Degree majoring in Medical Technology. He completed a one year internship for Medical Technology at Hurley Hospital in Flint, Michigan. Following the internship, he worked as a Medical Technologist for three years at Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph, Michigan before attending medical school at Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. Before receiving his medical school degree, he earned a second bachelors degree from Scholl College: Bachelors in Biology.

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Rural Health Clinic Scheduling Office - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Rural Health Clinic Scheduling Office - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Rural Health Clinic Scheduling Office - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Rural Health Clinic Scheduling Office - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Rural Health Clinic Scheduling Office - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Hospital Photo Gallery - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Hospital Photo Gallery - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Hospital Photo Gallery - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Hospital Photo Gallery - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Hospital Photo Gallery - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
Hospital Photo Gallery - Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital
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Read what Patients have to say about Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital

Everyone in the ambulatory care/outpatient surgery were great!! They all made me feel very comfortable and did a great job!!! thank you to the whole outpatient staff and Doctor Rayner..I would recommend Schoolcraft or patient to anyone in need of surgery

Reviewer: Jeremy Sitkoski

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5 out of 5 stars

The care that was provided by The nurses (Cindy, Felicia Ruth) and staff was exceptional. The entire staff was very friendly and made you feel welcome. We received a call from Felicia the next day to check on my husband to check his pain level and do a follow up. The surgery area from check in to check out was well organized, clean, and up to date. Thank you to all of you for what you do so well and everything beyond your normal duties.

Reviewer: Maureen DesChamps

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5 out of 5 stars

Dr Rayner is very good!
Dr Vix was great!! Personable & efficient!!
I give him a 5 out of 5! I'm not a Doctor type of person, but he made me feel comfortable right out the gate. Very friendly and professional! Got right to the point and really helped me figure out what was causing my pain! Excellent visit and Doctor!!
Very pleasant personality very informative!
DOCTOR Rayner Absolutely 💯 Great... Bedside manner fantastic.... Made a nervous Grandma at peace... Amazing outcome... Job well done. I recommend highly... Thank you...
Dr. Niemela diagnosed and did surgery on a tendon tear and bone spur on my foot. There had been pain for over a year with each step, and it was more severe as time went on, and even waking me throughout the night. The successful surgery eliminated the pain immediately! No pain to speak of, and the follow-up care was top notch. Thank you Dr. Niemela and staff! Photo one week after surgery.
Dr Stephen clear and chearful in his diagnoses, treatment and directions to the patient.
Very thorough & explains everything he’s doing. Chloe is very friendly checking up on me.
It's always a pleasant visit when see I Dr. Hoevee and this was no exception. And shout out to Clio who is also great!
Very thorough in explaining and seemed like he generally cared
Knowledgeable, Quick & Personable
Dr. Vix and Dr. Foltz are proactive and reactive. They jump into action and get you the care you need right away. There is no waiting periods regardless of shift change or time of the day. They are attentive and efficient. I only wish we had more physicians like them at transfer hospitals. We certainly receive the best care at SMH with the ER staff and nurses.
Always willing to listen and develop plan that works for me. Excellent care and explanations - very positive experience!
Cheryl Lohse
Dr. Steven A. Vix was great
Dr Vix is warm, compassionate professional.
I received excellent care from the three medical professionals that I saw that day. Kind, thorough and carefully checking to be certain that all my questions were answered.
We were just in the ER for my wife with back pain. Everyone was absolutely wonderful. All of the staff were in checking on my wife. This was one of the best hospital experiences we have ever had.
On time appointment. Staff attentive and helpful. No negative issues during the visit.
She was great answered all my questions
Very efficient !
Thorough and pleasant t to talk with!
Listens, Explains, Pleasant, On time
Dr. Ranier did a tonsilectomy for our daughter. He and his staff were so kind and caring that our daughter fell in love with them all
I met Dr. Vix in the Emergency Room and he is the best doctor I've ever seen. His bedside manner is so kind, gentle, amd reassuring. He took his time and really made me feel listened to. He explained his treatment decisions and logic clearly, and left room to ask questions. He made sure that I understood and agreed with it before doing anything. He was very kind, and he and all the staff were very caring about my comfort while waiting.
I've been very pleased so far working with Dr Bambach, and really the whole staff at Schoolcraft.
Dr houve is great so is his nurse Cleo