Mid Plains Podiatry

Where Your Feet Matter

By Angella Arndt

 

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For most of us, physical exams, eye exams, and dental check-ups are part of our regular healthcare routine. However, we tend to take our feet for granted unless we are experiencing pain or other issues. Things like overuse, injury, or an underlying health condition can cause foot pain. Left untreated, persistent foot pain can lead to long-term damage. If you suffer from foot or ankle pain, Dr. Elizabeth Klawitter, DPM, FAAFAS, and the team at Mid Plains Podiatry can help. They provide full-service lower extremity care.

 

Dr. Elizabeth Klawitter was exposed to podiatric medicine as a child. Her father, Dr. Paul Klawitter, was a well-known Omaha podiatrist specializing in minimally invasive foot surgery. Dr. Klawitter worked for her father for 10 years and then pursued a career in advertising before deciding to return to podiatry. 

 

Dr. Klawitter graduated from the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences, College of Podiatric Medicine, in Des Moines, Iowa, and completed her residency at the Genesys Regional Medicine Center in Grand Blanc, Michigan. Dr. Klawitter has been in practice for over 20 years and is President of the Academy of Minimally Invasive Foot and Ankle Surgery and the Nebraska Podiatric Medical Association.

 

Dr. Klawitter treats patients for anything related to the foot and ankle, including bunions, hammer toe, heel pain/plantar fasciitis, neuromas, tarsal tunnel syndrome, warts, Tailor’s bunion, heel spurs, and common nail problems. The office also carries foot care products like creams, lotions, scrubs, foot soak crystals, silicone socks, and pedicure kits. 

 

When determining a course of treatment, Dr. Klawitter evaluates a patient’s issues to determine the root cause. If appropriate, she pursues a conservative management approach. “I am a primary care physician for the foot and also a surgeon,” she says. “I find the best treatment option, but I do not rush my patients into surgery.” 

 

When warranted, Dr. Klawitter performs minimally invasive foot or ankle surgery. “This type of surgery does not usually involve pins, screws, plates, or other types of fixations,” she explains. “Sutures are often unnecessary because the incisions are so small.” This procedure minimizes discomfort, shortens recovery time, and eliminates long scars. 

 

Many procedures may be performed on site under local anesthesia, while other operations are performed in a surgery center with IV sedation, also known as twilight sleep. “We have patients who appreciate being able to have their procedures done in the office under local anesthesia because of health issues going under anesthesia,” Dr. Klawitter says. 

 

Dr. Klawitter’s patient care philosophy is straightforward. “We treat everyone that comes into our office like we would treat our family and friends. It is important to remember that everyone is both a patient and a person.” Part of good patient care, she believes, is making sure that patients understand how and why their lower extremity issues developed and what is necessary to fix them.

 

Dr. Klawitter believes that communication is crucial, and patients must actively participate in their treatment plans. She listens to a patient’s concerns during an initial consultation and explains a proposed treatment plan. “We discuss the risks and complications of treatment and the long-term effects on other parts of the foot. Patients must actively participate in their treatment plans, so we talk about post-op care and requirements to ensure they understand what is necessary to obtain the best results.”

 

The best thing about her job is seeing how happy patients are when they are no longer in pain, Dr. Klawitter says. “Your feet can cause knee, hip, and back issues. If your feet feel better, you will walk better.” She shared a memorable moment when a patient asked if he could hug her and then started crying because his foot did not hurt. “It means so much when I can make a difference in a patient’s quality of life.”

 

Mid Plains Podiatry, P.C. is located at 3346 North 108th Street, but not for long! They’re moving to 2828 South 87th Avenue during the week of March 20th. The office is open Monday through Wednesday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 pm; Thursdays, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; and Fridays, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Call 402-315-4344 to schedule an appointment or find them online at midplainspodiatry.com. 

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