General Practitioners

• Arthritis
• Plantar Fasciitis
  Dr. Barth and the staff at the Alton office did a great job to make me feel comfortable and informed when it came to ordering and using my new "boot" for my plantar fasciitis. As of about 2 weeks ago, my foot pain is GONE! Thank you all so much.
• Diabetic Foot Care
  We, at Next Step Foot and Ankle Centers, specialize in treatment of chronic and acute lower extremity conditions. Our experienced team of podiatrists and medical staff offer a variety of services including: corrective surgery, custom orthotics/bracing, diabetic shoes, athletic injury treatment/prevention, diabetic foot care, and routine foot care. Next Step Foot and Ankle Centers has proudly served patients across the Greater St. Louis Area for over 2 decades. Beginning with just 2 providers and 2 locations, we have grown to better serve you with 12 locations and 12 providers! Take the Next Step to healthier feet, schedule an appointment in one of our convenient locations now!

Endocrinologist

• Diabetes Care

Surgeons

• Orthopedics
  Dr. Richard Norlin received his podiatric medical degree at Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, IL in 1979. He is board certified in Foot and Ankle Orthopedics by the American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine since 1994. What sparked Dr. Norlin’s interest to become a Podiatrist was his involvement in high school working as an athletic trainer which peeked his passion for sports medicine. Dr. Norlin enjoys treating routine, geriatric podiatry medicine. He enjoys providing care to decrease or remove foot pain from a patient.
• Arthroscopy
  Dr. Wolfe is board certified with the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and an active fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgery. His interests include Ankle Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, Minimally Invasive Surgery, and Lower Extremity Trauma, as well as Total Ankle Replacement, Diabetic Limb Salvage, and Advanced Foot and Ankle Reconstruction. Dr. Wolfe sees patients at his office locations Bellevue, Watson, Ballas, and Arnold locations and has privileges at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital, Mercy St. Johns Hospital, Mercy South, and Des Peres Hospital.
• Wound Care
  We also specialize in Diabetic Wound Care. We utilize the latest treatment options to heal your wounds as quickly as possible and prevent reoccurrence. Our goal is to relieve pain, correct the deformity, and prevent the devastating consequences of loss of limb.
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Ankle Surgery
  During his medical, residency training, and active practice, Dr. Wolfe has published numerous articles and book chapters on advanced foot and ankle surgical techniques and has continued to remain active in advancing the field of foot and ankle surgery. He has served as an editor for the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery Scientific Literature Reviews and on the board of the Heartland Foot and Ankle Scientific Conference Committee. His training and leadership in the field were recently recognized with the honorable distinction of Top Doctor and Top Professional by Marquis Who’s Who publication in 2022 and selected as the cover feature with Millenium Magazine for 2023. Dr. Wolfe is excited to return to St. Louis as the assistant fellowship director with the Advanced Center for Foot and Ankle Surgery where he can continue to mentor the training of podiatrists in the field of foot and ankle surgery.
• Bunion Surgery
  Bunion surgery, or bunionectomy, realigns the bone, ligaments, tendons and nerves so your big toe can be brought back to its correct position and the bump on the inside of the joint removed. Many bunion surgeries are performed on a same-day basis (no hospital stays) using a local anesthesia. During your recovery it is common to have pain and swelling. This swelling and stiffness may be persistent for several months.
• Joint Replacement
  Arthritis treatment varies due to the severity of the patient’s arthritis and the specific joint(s) effected. There are conservative treatment options to lessen the discomfort resulting from arthritis and keep patients active. Nonsurgical treatments may include: Lifestyle modifications, oral/topical medications, custom orthotics/bracing, physical therapy, and assistive devices. In more severe cases, surgical intervention may be the best option to treat an arthritic joint. There are multiple surgical treatments that may be used to relieve arthritis, ranging from an arthroscopic debridement to a total joint replacement. Dr. Lindsay Barth was the 1st podiatrist to perform a Wright INBONE Total Ankle Surgical Replacement in September of 2007.
• Metatarsal Surgery
• Bunions
  Bunions can be very painful. With each step, your entire body weight rests on that bunion. Ouch! A common misconception about a bunion is that it is an overgrowth of bone that can simply be “shaved off”. In reality, bunions are complex deformities caused by an unstable joint.
• Arthroscopy
• Ingrown Toenails
  Ingrown toenails often are the result of trimming your toenails too short, particularly on the sides of your big toes.
• Hip Replacement
  There are approximately 400,000 bunion surgeries performed annually in the U.S. alone – more than the number of hip replacement surgeries.
• Reconstructive Surgery
  As a board certified foot and ankle surgeon, Dr. Lamb is greatly experienced in all areas of podiatric care. Foot & ankle reconstructive surgery, sports medicine, and diabetic limb salvage are just a few of his specialties. Despite Dr. Lamb’s proficiency at surgery, he emphasizes non-surgical treatment when possible. As the medical director of Next Step Foot and Ankle, he strives to give patients the best experience and coordinate the most effective patient care possible.

Dermatologists

• Corns
  Whether you are a professional athlete or play sports just for fun, the demands made of your feet and lower limbs can lead to a range of injuries, including blisters, sprained ankles, torn ankle ligaments, shin splints (leg pain), knee pain, low back pain, and other joint or muscle problems. Added to these are common complaints such as corns, calluses and Athlete’s foot. Your running style, poor footwear and even minor limb length differences can also contribute to an athletic injury.
• Ulcer
  Treatment of lower extremity ulcers, similar to other conditions, has a variety of options. Every wound is different and needs a customized treatment plan. The provider will evaluate the ulcer and implement treatment accordingly. Treatment of lower extremity wounds may involve bioengineered skin substitutes, specialized dressings, gels, creams, or surgical techniques, to promote wound healing. Keeping the wound clean and properly dressed, adjusting diet to include essential nutrients, and developing a well-balanced treatment program are the keys to healing lower extremity ulcerations.
• Calluses
  Calluses have painful nerves and bursal sacs (fluid-filled balloons that act as shock absorbers) beneath them, causing symptoms ranging from sharp, shooting pain to dull, aching soreness.
• Fungus
  Many people don’t realize they have a fungal nail problem. Moreover, many people that do never seek treatment. Still, toenail fungus and fungal toenail infections are a common foot health problem.
• Burns

Physical Therapists

• Sports Medicine
  Sports play a significant role in millions of American children’s lives, whether on a team or played as individuals. Parents should be mindful of sports that require a substantial amount of running and turning, or involve contact. These can easily translate into sports injuries. Protective taping of the ankles is often necessary to prevent strains or fractures. Parents should consider discussing these matters with their family podiatrist if they have children participating in sports. Sports-related injuries are on the rise as more children participate actively in sports.
• Physical Therapy
  Treating an Achilles injury depends upon the severity. Mild achilles tendinitis may be treated with ice, rest, and stretching, but more severe injuries to Achilles tendons may require surgery. Home exercises, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medicines, custom orthotics, shoe inserts, casts, splints, walking boots, and proper shoes may be implemented, as well.
• Flatfoot Correction
• Heel Pain
• Back Pain
• Orthotics and Prosthetic Therapy

Podiatrists

• General Podiatry
  Dr. Mia Thouvenot received her podiatric medical degree at Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine. She then completed her surgical residency at SSM DePaul Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.
• Achilles Tendonitis
  Dr. Martin enjoys all aspects of the podiatry field. He relishes the success of getting a patient back on their feet to their normal lifestyle. He really enjoys treating sports and Achilles tendon injuries. In his extra time, he enjoys rock music and attending concerts. Additionally, he likes to spend time with his family, going on outdoor runs, and yoga.
• Ankle Sprain
  Make sure to buy sport-specific shoes. This will not only help improve your child’s performance, but also helps keep them free from serious foot and ankle injuries.
• Bunions Problems
  Bunions are one of the most common foot disorders treated by Ankle & Foot Surgeons of the Midwest. In fact, bunions are one of the most common disorders treated by most podiatrists across the country. More than half the women in America have bunions, a common deformity often blamed on wearing tight, narrow shoes. Bunions cause the base of your big toe (Metatarsophalangeal Joint) to enlarge and protrude. The skin over it may be red and tender. This can be acquired through time or it can be congenital (you got it from your family).
• Calluses
• Diabetic Foot Care
  Dr. Hawthorne was featured in Who’s Who in American Colleges & Universities and was on the National Dean’s List during her last year of college. She is also a member of the Missouri Podiatric Medical Association. Dr. Hawthorne is board eligible with the American Board of Podiatric Surgeons. She is proficient in all aspects of foot and ankle medicine including diabetic foot care and conditions of the skin.
• Flat Feet
• Fungus Toenails
  Depending on the type of infection you have, over-the-counter liquid antifungal agents, while sometimes effective, may not prevent toenail fungus or a fungal infection from recurring. A topical or oral medication may need to be prescribed, and the diseased nail matter and debris removed by a process called debridement.
• Hammertoes
  Causes of hammertoe include improperly fitting shoes and muscle imbalance. Treatment for the condition typically involves shoes with soft, roomy toe boxes and toe exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles. Commercially available straps, cushions or non-medicated corn pads may also relieve symptoms.
• Heel Spurs
  Plantar fasciitis is caused by inflammation of the connective tissue that stretches from the base of the toes, across the arch of the foot, to the point at which it inserts into the heel bone. Also called “heel spur syndrome,” the condition can usually be successfully treated with conservative measures such as use of anti-inflammatory medications and ice packs, stretching exercises, orthotic devices, and physical therapy.
• Heel Pain
• Foot Pain
• Ingrown Toenails
  Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed if an infection is present. Part of your ingrown toenail (partial nail plate avulsion) may need to be surgically removed if an acute infection occurs. The procedure involves injecting the toe with an anesthetic and cutting out the ingrown part of the toenail.
• Foot Injuries
• Foot Orthotics
  As licensed podiatrists, we specialize in medical and surgical care of the foot and ankle. We accept most insurance plans and our convenient office locations allow us to treat patients from many areas in surrounding cities and towns. Some common conditions we treat are bunions, heel pain/plantar fasciitis, hammertoes, toenail fungus, achilles tendonitis, ankle injuries, neuropathy and ingrown nails. We also specialize in foot care for diabetics and custom foot orthotics.
• Pediatric Foot Care
  Every parent’s aware of the care and attention their children need to grow healthy and strong. That said, it’s all too easy to overlook the importance of something like pediatric foot care. Foot [...]
• Plantar Fasciitis
  Heel pain is one of the leading causes that patients visiting Next Step Foot and Ankle Centers have treated. Plantar fasciitis (or heel pain) is commonly traced to an inflammation on the bottom of the foot. Our podiatrists can evaluate your arch pain, and may prescribe customized shoe inserts called orthotics to help alleviate the pain you are experiencing.
• Podiatric Orthopedics
  Board Certified: Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Orthopedics by the American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine since 1994
• Podiatric Surgery
  Throughout the Midwest Dr. Barth provides lectures about Podiatric Surgery and Medicine to his peers and students. He is also actively involved in teaching the residents and students at DePaul Hospital. In addition to his position as senior partner of Next Step Foot & Ankle Centers, Dr. Barth has an interest in Walk Healthy Foot Care Products and Medical Spas.