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BUFFALO, NEW YORK; AUGUST 21, 2007-ECMC Corporation announces the opening of an all new Foot and Ankle Center.  The center is an integral part of ECMC's Department of Orthopaedics.  The center focuses on feet and ankles - highly specialized structures that require highly specialized medical care for the best and most reliable outcomes.  Also provided through ECMC are related support services such as: lab work, X-rays, MRI scans, rehabilitation. 

With a reputation for excellence and the area's most advanced technology, ECMC's foot and ankle specialists thoroughly evaluate conditions, deciding whether surgical or non-surgical treatment is best for the patient.  When surgery is recommended, patients are cared for from pre-operation through post-operation, until full recovery.  Many surgical options are available to improve function, including: ankle arthroscopy (a minimally invasive technique used for such problems as chronic inflammation, arthritis and cartilage fracture), ankle stabilization, cartilage regeneration, fusion/arthrodesis (a common technique to alleviate pain or disability in a join), osteotomy/realignment, skin grafting (human or synthetic skin is used to treat difficult to heal wounds), tendon and ligament reconstruction, and total ankle replacement. 

Using advanced techniques and state-of-the-art technology, the center is uniquely qualified to help adult patients with orthopaedic problems of the lower extremities, including: arthritis and joint disease, congenital and adult acquired deformities, diabetic complications, occupational and sport injuries, and post-traumatic injury care.

People with diabetes are prone to many foot problems due to nerve damage and poor circulation.  ECMC foot and ankle specialists have extensive experience treating these problems, including: bunions and hammertoes, Charcot foot (a complication of diabetes that usually occurs in those with nerve damage), diabetic peripheral neuropathy (often referred to as diabetic nerve pain), infections and ulcers, osteomyelitis (an acute or chronic bone infection caused by bacteria), and prevention of amputation. 

To learn more about the Foot and Ankle Center at ECMC or to make an appointment, interested individuals should call 716-898-3414. 

The ECMC Corporation includes an advanced academic medical center (ECMC) with 550 inpatient beds and 136 skilled-nursing-home beds, on- and off-campus health centers, over 40 outpatient specialty care clinics and the Erie County Home, a 586-bed skilled nursing facility.  ECMC is the regional center for trauma, burn care, rehabilitations and is a major teaching facility for the State University of New York at Buffalo.  Most ECMC physicians, dentists and pharmacists are dedicated faculty members of the University.  Exceptional patient care and customer service make ECMC Western New York's Hospital of Choice.

NEWS CONTACT:

Joe Cirillo, Director of Public Relations, ECMC Corp: 716-898-4300 or jcirillo@ecmc.edu