Mid Plains Podiatry

The Importance of Foot Health

By Linda Sutherland

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When you consider how often we depend on our feet, it seems outlandish that we don’t give them more thought and care. Foot health is necessary in maintaining overall health and well-being, essential for supporting our weight and getting us from point A to point B. But we don’t pay much attention to our feet until we experience a foot problem or concern. Even when they do raise an alarm, we might just wish it away. Ignoring foot pain can cause a problem to worsen and can even lead to permanent damage. Dr. Beth Klawitter at Mid Plains Podiatry is exactly who we need to help us maintain healthy feet and handle any foot and ankle issues that may arise. 

Foot problems tend to have a domino effect on the rest of the body, including knee, hip, and even lower back issues. The negative aspects of foot problems and pain can certainly have an impact on the quality of your life. Dr. Klawitter and her staff can provide care for all aspects of foot and ankle problems, including plantar fasciitis, neuropathy, tendonitis, warts, athlete’s foot, bunions, gout, tendonitis, foot and ankle fractures, and so much more. 

Perhaps the most amazing thing about Dr. Klawitter is her specialty in minimally invasive surgical procedures. These procedures are done with very small incisions and involve less pain than many invasive procedures. She doesn’t use screws, pins or plates—in most cases, there aren’t even any sutures! Dr. Klawitter has a surgical suite in her facility where many procedures can be performed with just local anesthesia. This also translates into less cost to the patient, with today’s rising insurance costs. It’s a winning combination!

Dr. Klawitter was born and raised in Omaha. Her father, Dr. Paul Klawitter, practiced podiatry in Omaha for over 30 years. He also specialized in minimally invasive surgery. She worked with him for 10 years, learning how much the minimally invasive procedures helped his patients with much less scarring than traditional surgery. The incisions are less than a quarter inch in size. 

Everyone with foot and ankle problems is looking for long-lasting pain relief, along with better function and mobility. In the past, conventional surgery and long recoveries were the norm. Minimal down time and minimal invasiveness are certainly a better option for most of her patients, Dr. Klawitter notes.

One of the newest minimally invasive procedures that Dr. Klawitter offers is an in-office plantar fasciotomy. The outpatient procedure is done with a very small incision and produces excellent results with only modest and limited discomfort. Recovery time is measured in days, not weeks, and it includes only discomfort, not immobility. Most people are back into their regular shoes the next day.

Engaging with healthcare professionals can sometimes feel daunting. Many of us have felt confused by a chosen treatment when we didn’t fully understand why that was the best option. 

You won’t find that confusion at Mid Plains Podiatry. “I always want my patients to make considered and informed decisions about their available treatment options and understand the results,” Dr. Klawitter says. 

When you have a consultation with Dr. Klawitter, she takes into consideration your job, living situation, and overall health when deciding what type of treatment to provide. And she always shares the reasoning behind her recommendations. “My patients seem to appreciate the fact that time is taken to explain why certain procedures would be beneficial and what the outcome could be,” says Dr. Klawitter. 

What Dr. Klawitter loves most about her job is simple: helping patients live better. “When a patient comes into the office in pain that they have tolerated for a long time, and I can help them to relieve that pain and improve their quality of life, that is very rewarding,” she says. Unsurprisingly, she attests that her father has been a great influence in her life, both personally and professionally. His dedication to his patients, giving them the utmost care and consideration, helped shape her into the outstanding podiatrist that she is today. 

Dr. Klawitter and her team strive for the highest standard of care in podiatry. Their goal is always to identify the cause of the problem and try to find a solution. Their new office is located at 2821 South 87th Avenue, where they offer a wide range of treatments, minimally invasive surgeries, and KERYflex™ for deformed nails. If your feet need some attention (and they probably do), call Mid Plains Podiatry at 402-315-4344 or visit midplainspodiatry.com. 

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