Podiatry · Florence, Alabama
Two board-certified podiatrists, one focused practice. We take a minimally invasive approach to your foot and ankle care — keeping surgery as the last option, not the first.
Now welcoming new patients · Florence, AL 35630
Meet our doctors
Your feet are cared for by two board-certified podiatrists — so the same trusted standard of care is always available to you.
Podiatrist · Foot & Ankle Surgeon
Dr. Michael T. Hames, DPM, with offices in Florence, AL, is dedicated to getting to the root of your foot problem.
Podiatrist
Dr. Matthew B. Engelthaler, DPM, brings advanced surgical training to the practice and a focus on thorough, patient-centered foot and ankle care.
What we treat
From everyday foot pain to advanced reconstructive surgery, our practice specializes in surgical and general foot care — with an emphasis on preventative medicine and patient education.
Preventative medicine and patient education for the conditions you live with.
Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis and heel spurs.
Relief and treatment for painful, infected nails.
Care for thickened, painful skin.
From conservative care to surgical correction.
Protecting feet at risk from neuropathy and poor circulation.
Advanced care to prevent amputation.
Including fungal nails, warts and more.
Diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle injuries.
Getting athletes back on their feet, safely.
Assessing and managing vascular concerns.
Custom devices to support and align the foot.
Tailored surgical care when it’s warranted.
Advanced surgical care for complex deformities, conditions, and injuries of the foot.
Joint implant for big-toe arthritis.
Realignment of the toe and joint.
For chronic, unresolved heel conditions.
Repair of foot and ankle fractures.
Correcting structural foot deformities.
Rebuilding stability and protecting the limb.
Restoring function to damaged joints.
Surgical care for children’s foot conditions.
Specialized repair for active patients.
Including puncture wounds and lacerations.
Surgical management of nerve-related foot conditions.
In-house technology
We stay up to date on the latest information and technology in order to serve you best — much of it on-site, so you can be diagnosed and treated in one place.
A better way to treat toenail fungus (onychomycosis). Using the GenesisPlus™ laser — FDA cleared for many indications of the toes and feet — it’s a quick, comfortable way to clear the nail without drug therapy, with results after 1–2 fifteen-minute treatments. The same laser also addresses scar revision, warts and collagen remodeling.
On-site digital foot X-rays, diagnostic ultrasound, vascular testing and digital orthotic & pressure-point analysis. In-office ultrasound lets us diagnose soft-tissue injuries, cysts and bony abnormalities — often without the need for an additional MRI or CT scan.
Custom insoles that maximize foot and body mechanics while you stand, walk and run — controlling motion, weight distribution and reactive ground pressure. We use PedAlign digital casting to capture your true foot contours and arch, then a lab crafts your device from the doctor’s prescription.
MolecuLight i:X imaging uses a special violet light to reveal bacteria and measure a wound — safe, painless and part of your normal visit. UltraMIST® therapy then delivers painless, noncontact, low-frequency ultrasound to stimulate healing, control inflammation and reduce bacteria.
Conditions we treat
Having chronic foot pain can greatly affect the quality of your life. Here’s a closer look at common conditions we see — and when it’s time to see a podiatrist.
Heel pain often strikes as a sharp sensation on your first steps, radiating from the heel into the arch and making it hard to bear weight. It tends to ease with activity but can return after rest. See a podiatrist as soon as possible for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Your feet are the foundation of the body — they carry all of your weight, so they’re prone to pain and discomfort. Symptoms can include redness, swelling, stiffness and warmth. Milder cases may respond to rest and home care, while more serious causes need professional evaluation.
A bunion is an enlargement of bony growth or swollen tissue at the base joint of the big toe. Conservative care includes wider shoes, anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injections and custom orthotics; surgery can realign the toe when conservative care isn’t enough.
An ingrown toenail grows sideways into the nail bed, causing pain, swelling and sometimes infection. Letting nails grow a little longer and soaking the toe in hot water can help — but severe pain that interferes with daily life warrants a professional evaluation.
Diabetes can damage blood vessels and nerves in the feet, causing neuropathy that masks pain from injuries. Wash and dry feet daily, inspect for redness and sores, and keep blood sugar in a normal range. Seek care if a cut, blister or bruise isn’t healing — gangrene can lead to sepsis and amputation.
Foot injuries are common in sports — from poor warm-ups, the wrong footwear or a lack of support. Sprains are the most common and respond to RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation). Don’t dismiss pain as soreness: have unusual aches evaluated by a skilled, licensed medical professional.
Toenail fungus begins as a small white or yellow growth beneath the nail tip, leaving nails thick, ragged and dull. It thrives in damp environments like public showers, gyms and pools. Treatment ranges from OTC antifungals to prescription medication and laser treatment to eradicate the fungus.
For acute and chronic wounds, we combine MolecuLight i:X imaging — which uses violet light to reveal bacteria — with UltraMIST® noncontact ultrasound therapy to accelerate healing and prevent complications, all as part of a normal, painless visit.
Plan your visit
Our facility offers expanded room to accommodate more patients, high-quality care and limited wait times, with ample parking and a spacious waiting area.
Call us
(256) 760-8485Office hours
Read what our patients are saying — and tell us how we did.
We’re now welcoming new patients. Call us and we’ll get you scheduled with Dr. Hames or Dr. Engelthaler.