General Practitioners

• Warts
• Arthritis
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Pediatric Care
  As podiatrists we treat all pathology related to the foot and ankle, including nail pathology, warts, sports injuries, fractures, pediatrics, as well as offer conservative and surgical options.
• Family Practice
  A podiatrist is a doctor whose degree is "Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)." The podiatrist is a specialist in the treatment of foot and ankle problems. Before a DPM degree is conferred, a student must complete four years of medical training after college in all aspects of medicine and surgery with special emphasis on lower extremity conditions. Podiatrists have one to three years of residency training in foot and ankle surgery following their four years of specialized medical training. Most patients seen by the podiatrist are referred by family practice physicians and other specialists who wish to have their patients treated by a doctor trained specifically in foot and ankle disorders. In addition to their surgical training, podiatrists have extensive training in the non-surgical treatment of foot and ankle problems. There is no other specialty that has as extensive training in these areas as the podiatrist.
• Emergency Care
• Diabetic Foot Care
  The experience of working in a physical therapy clinic has molded how Dr. Sparks treats her patients today; she is a big proponent of treating biomechanics and how the lower extremity works as a unit during gait. She became interested in podiatry after having her own experience as a patient of a local podiatrist in Delaware during a summer break from college. The combination of surgery, office procedures, sports medicine, and diabetic foot care really opened her eyes to a career in podiatric medicine and surgery. After Dr. Sparks graduated from Duquesne University with a BS in Biology, she moved to North Chicago, IL to attend Dr. William M Scholl college of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. Dr. Sparks was very involved in extracurricular activities during her four years of podiatric medical school, serving as Class President and a Scholl Student Ambassador. She also completed the prestigious Albert Schweitzer Fellowship, where she implemented an after-school health education program for at risk youth in the local community. More information is available on the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship website.

Endocrinologist

• Diabetes Care

Radiologist

• X-Rays

Surgeons

• Wound Care
  Professional interests include diabetes education, sports medicine, wound care, surgical and non- surgical treatments of foot and ankle pathology, and pediatrics.
• Ankle Surgery
  Yes, Dr. Sparks and Dr. Marty are both surgically trained, as well as Board certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. Some procedures may be performed in the office under local anesthesia, while more complicated pathology is treated in the operating room. Dr. Sparks has surgical privileges at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital, UPMC St. Margaret, and UPMC Harmar Surgery Center.
• Joint Replacement
  Our recommendations are based upon the pain associated with the bunion, the patient's lifestyle, and the degree of the deformity. As the bunion worsens, it becomes more difficult to treat surgically and the healing time is often increased significantly. Over time, the joint in the big toe can become arthritic, lose its flexibility, and become painful with nearly every step. At this stage the surgical treatments are limited, and a joint replacement may be required.
• Bunions
• Gangrene
  The other condition is called angiopathy, which is the loss of blood circulation to the feet and legs. Loss of circulation results in prolonged healing of cuts or sores on the feet. In severe cases it can lead to gangrene and limb loss. This condition is often accompanied by thinning of the skin, loss of hair growth and color changes to the feet. The feet are cool to the touch and can be very sensitive, making it painful to walk for even short distances.
• Ingrown Toenails
  Ingrown toenails are quite common in all age groups. Patients often live with them needlessly for months or years. The improper trimming of the nails, tight shoes, or injury to the nail can cause ingrown toenails. Often they seem to occur for no reason at all. If they become infected, you should soak them in warm water and Epsom salts, apply an antibiotic ointment and make an appointment to have them treated. Treatment is virtually painless. Following the procedure there is little to no pain and no limitation of your activities once the anesthesia has worn off.

Dermatologists

• Corns
  Common problems the diabetic might encounter are ingrown or fungal toenails, thick calluses on the bottom of the feet, or corns on or between the toes. These relatively simple problems are the precursors of more significant problems. Our recommendation is that diabetic patients have their feet checked on a regular basis by a podiatrist. If they notice any areas of possible skin irritations, sores, or infection, they should be treated professionally by a podiatrist. If they notice a change in the shape of their feet, the arches falling, or notice swelling of sudden onset, they should be seen by a podiatrist. The diabetic patient's best defense against infections and possible loss of feet or legs is prevention by daily inspection and having regular foot exams.
• Calluses
  Because of this condition, diabetic patients must be constantly aware of their feet and inspect them daily. They should avoid walking barefoot and always check the temperature of their bath water or foot baths prior to immersing their feet. Special care should be taken when trimming the toenails. The sharp trimming of corns and calluses and over-the-counter corn removers should be avoided. Shoe gear must be appropriately fitted to avoid areas of irritation. Frequently this condition causes a burning pain that makes sleeping difficult. Other patients may feel like their feet are ice cold and have difficulty warming them. These patients must not use heating pads or hot water bottles to warm their feet or they risk burns to the skin that may not heal and could lead to the loss of their foot or leg.
• Fungus
  Fungal toenails are toenails that have become infected with one of a group of microorganisms we call fungus. In many instances it is the same organism that causes athlete's foot. As the fungus invades the nail and the nail bed, it may go unnoticed for a period of time because it is rarely painful. It usually appears at the nail edge and works its way under the nail, progressing back to the root of the toenail. Once it invades the root, or matrix, it begins to distort the way the nail grows and becomes more difficult to treat.
• Burns

Physical Therapists

• Sports Medicine
  Biomechanics is the basis of all lower extremity sports related injuries. The doctors are also members of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine.
• Physical Therapy
  Dr. Sparks is originally from Wilmington, DE and moved to Pittsburgh after high school to pursue a degree in physical therapy from Duquesne University. She gained valuable clinical experience by working as a PT aide for several years while in school.
• Flatfoot Correction
• Heel Pain
• Orthotics and Prosthetic Therapy

Podiatrists

• General Podiatry
  We have listed common disorders information in this section. We have also provided links to valuable podiatry information sites on the Internet. We have listed below only a few of the more common foot problems encountered in our offices on a daily basis.
• Achilles Tendonitis
  In many instances the treatment of sports related injuries begins with understanding the underlying biomechanics of their cause. There is such an array of these injuries that space does not permit outlining all of them. The more common injuries include shin splints, arch pain, heel pain, Achilles tendonitis, ankle injuries, stress fractures, tendon injuries about the ankle and rear foot, toenail injuries, nerve injuries, and blistering of the skin, to list just a few.
• Ankle Sprain
• Bunions Problems
  A bunion is a deviation of the long bone behind the big toe producing a bump on the side of the foot. Bunions can occur on one or both feet. They tend to be hereditary but can occur without a family history. They are not caused by shoes but are often aggravated by shoe gear. Abnormal movement of the joints just below the ankle joint causes the deformity. This results in the front portion of the foot splaying or widening. As a result the big toe starts to drift toward the second toe and the long bone behind the big toe starts to drift outward. This deformity gradually gets worse with time, making it more painful and difficult to wear shoes. Because the bunion deformity is progressive, it should be evaluated early. Treatment options range from a recommendation on shoes, and possibly inserts for shoes called orthotics, which are used to control the cause of the bunion and halt its progression. In many instances surgery is recommended.
• Calluses
• Diabetic Foot Care
  The practice was operated solely by John A. Marty, DPM from 1984 - 1987. In December 1987, Ankle and Foot Care, Inc., was formed. The practice focuses on providing care limited to the foot and ankle. The practice provides comprehensive medical and surgical treatment of the foot and ankle with specialties in wound management, diabetic foot care, and ankle and foot surgery.
• Flat Feet
  Pes cavous and pes planus are the scientific terms that describe high arch feet and low arch or "flat" feet. As Podiatrists, we are very interested not only in structure but also in function of the feet. While very few people have 20-20 vision, it is also true that very few people have perfect arch structure. High and low arch feet are just the two ends of the spectrum of foot structure. The more deviation from what is considered perfect, the worse the function becomes. We describe deviation from "the ideal" as imbalance in structure. It is the imbalance in structure that leads to abnormal function. Abnormal function causes pain and/or deformity. Deformity can manifest itself in a variety of foot problems such as bunions or hammertoes. Likewise, pain can manifest itself in a variety of ways such as heel pain (plantar fasciitis or heel spur), corns or calluses, metatarsalgia or pain in the ball of the foot (neuromas, stress fractures, or tendonitis), or even in pediatric problems.
• Hammertoes
  A hammertoe is a term used to describe a crooked, deviated, or contracted toe. Contrary to popular belief, hammertoes are usually not caused by ill or tight fitting shoe gear but by an imbalance in the way the bones of the foot are aligned. Over a period of years, the tendons that move the toe up and down begin to pull the toe with unequal tension, and the toe then begins to buckle or become contracted. Normally hammertoes by themselves are not painful, but with shoe gear the prominent knuckle of the toe rubs the shoe, producing an area of irritation which eventually forms a corn.
• Heel Spurs
  There are a variety of causes of heel pain. Heel pain can occur on the bottom of the heel or the back of the heel. The most common heel pain occurs in the bottom of the heel. Frequently this pain is worse first thing in the morning or after having been at rest. It seems to come out of nowhere or feel like a stone bruise after having been on your feet for long periods of time. Patients often describe the pain as being sharp like stepping on a "spur" or a thorn. The pain may radiate into the arch of the foot or up into the calf muscle. On occasion, leg or foot cramps accompany the condition. Often associated with a spur identified on x-rays, the condition may be referred to as "heel spurs." A common contributing factor is tightness of the calf muscles.
• Heel Pain
• Foot Infections
  Diabetic patients are particularly at risk for significant foot problems that can lead to the loss of their feet or legs. The most common cause of hospitalization for the diabetic patient is foot infections. Foot related problems for the diabetic patient are responsible for significant time off work. Foot ulcerations can take weeks or months to heal.
• Ingrown Toenails
  Our physicians have extensive training in diagnosing and treating child related foot disorders. Infants and young, growing children have special circumstances that necessitate they be evaluated by a specialist familiar with normal development. Many conditions, if caught early, can be easily treated, correcting the problem before it becomes a life-long deformity. Common foot disorders that we treat include in-toeing and out-toeing, flat feet, curved feet, toe walking, inflamed growth plates in the bones, leg cramps and night cramps, ingrown toenails, athlete's foot, and other skin conditions. We also treat young athletes and sports related injuries of all ages. Children will often not complain about pain associated with their sport. The demands of soccer, baseball, dance, and gymnastics on the growing child will often uncover underlying developmental problems.
• Metatarsalgia
  A pain experienced in the ball of the foot may have several different origins: stress fractures, neuromas, or tendonitis.
• Pediatric Foot Care
• Plantar Fasciitis
  The pain is caused by the pull of a very strong ligament that attaches into the bottom of the heel and fans out into the ball of the foot. This ligament, called the plantar fascia, acts as a bow string to help support the arch of the foot. It is like woven rope and does not stretch well. When something causes the arch to flatten, the ligament is stretched more than it can, and it pulls on the heel bone, causing pain. We call this plantar fasciitis. This pain often eases after a few steps as the ligament is forced to stretch. In severe cases the ligament can tear or rupture.
• Podiatric Surgery