When Foot Pain Starts to Control Your Life, It May Be Time for Specialized Care
Foot pain often begins quietly—a sore spot, stiffness, or discomfort that’s easy to brush off. Over time, that pain can lead to a limp, and eventually discomfort in the knees, hips, or back as the body tries to compensate. For many people, this progression becomes part of everyday life.
“The foot is incredibly complex,” said Podiatrist Ayanda Dube, DPM, MHA. “There are dozens of bones, tendons, and ligaments working together. When something goes wrong in one area, it can affect how the entire body moves.”
At Rome Health, Dr. Dube is a specialist in treating complex foot and ankle conditions that have not improved with routine or conservative care, helping patients get back to moving comfortably and confidently.
The specialist always begins with the least invasive treatment options, which may include targeted therapies or other non-surgical approaches. Surgery is considered only when it offers the best chance for lasting relief and improved function.
Dr. Dube evaluates and treats a wide range of advanced foot and ankle concerns, including: hammertoes, bunions, arthritis in the feet, painful bony protrusions, soft tissue injuries and masses, and ankle and foot fractures.
Delaying care can sometimes make problems worse. As patients adjust how they walk to avoid pain, added stress can develop in other joints, leading to new issues over time.
He also treats ankle sprains and related injuries that may progress to ligament tears, which can only be definitively confirmed with MRI. When conservative treatment is not appropriate or has failed to provide adequate relief, surgical intervention may be the most effective treatment option.
For those who have been putting off surgery, now is an ideal time to take the next step. Addressing foot and ankle issues in late winter or early spring allows time to heal and be ready for increased activity in the spring and summer months.
“If pain is changing how you move or limiting what you’re able to do each day, that’s often your body’s way of telling you it’s time to have it evaluated,” Dr. Dube said.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dube, call 315.338.7040. Rome Health Podiatry is located in the Medical Center on the hospital’s main campus with convenient parking off of Oak Street.