Cortese Foot and Ankle Clinic

Cortese Foot and Ankle Clinic Our team of foot and ankle surgeons offers personalized foot and ankle care for all ages. With two locations in Normal and Pontiac, Illinois.

🦶 Tuesday Foot & Ankle Research UpdateCan joint replacement preserve motion in patients with arthritis of the big toe?A ...
07/28/2026

🦶 Tuesday Foot & Ankle Research Update

Can joint replacement preserve motion in patients with arthritis of the big toe?

A recent 2026 Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery (JFAS) systematic review and meta-analysis compared Cartiva® synthetic cartilage implantation with first MTP joint fusion (arthrodesis) for the treatment of hallux rigidus (arthritis of the big toe joint). Researchers found that while both procedures provide meaningful pain relief, fusion continues to demonstrate the most reliable long-term outcomes and lowest risk of revision surgery. Cartiva remains a reasonable option for carefully selected patients who prioritize preserving motion, but it may carry a higher likelihood of additional surgery over time.

👣 What does this mean for patients?
There is no one-size-fits-all procedure. The “best” operation depends on your activity level, goals, severity of arthritis, and desire to maintain motion versus maximizing long-term durability. A thorough evaluation helps determine which option is right for you.

If pain in your big toe is limiting your daily activities, we’d be happy to discuss your treatment options.

📞 Cortese Foot & Ankle Clinic
☎️ 309-452-3000

Reference:
The Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery. Volume 65, Issue 4 (July–August 2026). Cartiva or Fusion for Hallux Rigidus? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

07/24/2026

Not all foot care products are the same! Did you know APMA awards two distinct seals to products that meet our clinical standards?
Seal of Acceptance: Awarded to footwear, insoles, socks, and materials that promote daily foot health and proper biomechanics.
Seal of Approval: Awarded to therapeutic products and medical devices that show evidence of usefulness and safety.
Whether you're buying new running shoes or treating dry skin, looking for the Seal takes the guesswork out of healthy foot care.

07/24/2026

Summer creates the perfect setup for blisters: heat, sweat, sandals, travel, and longer days on your feet.

For many people, basic care is enough. But if you have diabetes, circulation concerns, reduced sensation, or a blister that is getting worse instead of better, it deserves attention.

🦶 Keep it clean and covered
🦶 Do not pop intact skin
🦶 Change damp socks quickly
🦶 Stop wearing the shoes causing friction
🦶 Watch for redness, swelling, drainage, or increasing pain

If a blister is slow to heal or keeps returning, connect with an ILAPPS podiatrist before it turns into a bigger issue: https://heyor.ca/uqduD8

07/22/2026

Foot pain becomes a bigger problem when you start making your life smaller around it.

Avoiding walks, changing shoes, skipping workouts, limping through work, or waiting for the same pain to “go away this time” are all signs your feet need more than guesswork.

Podiatrists treat more than severe injuries. They help with heel pain, bunions, ingrown toenails, sports injuries, diabetic foot concerns, skin and nail issues, and everyday pain that keeps interrupting your routine.

If foot or ankle symptoms are affecting how you move, connect with an ILAPPS podiatrist: https://heyor.ca/uqduD8

New research in Achilles tendon injury shows the quicker the intervention the better the outcomes. See below
07/22/2026

New research in Achilles tendon injury shows the quicker the intervention the better the outcomes. See below

Protect your feet in the heat!
07/17/2026

Protect your feet in the heat!

Journal of bone and joint surgery research update on minimally invasive bunion surgery
07/16/2026

Journal of bone and joint surgery research update on minimally invasive bunion surgery

🚶‍♂️🦶 Can Walking Sooner After Ankle Surgery Help Recovery?For many years, patients who had surgery for an ankle fractur...
07/14/2026

🚶‍♂️🦶 Can Walking Sooner After Ankle Surgery Help Recovery?

For many years, patients who had surgery for an ankle fracture were routinely instructed to avoid putting weight on the injured leg for several weeks. New research is helping reshape that approach.

A large multicenter randomized study highlighted by The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery (JBJS) found that carefully selected patients who began protected weight-bearing earlier after ankle fracture surgery experienced improved early function without an increase in complications or fixation failure compared with patients who remained non-weight-bearing. Early movement may help patients regain mobility, maintain muscle strength, and return to daily activities sooner.

💡 The key takeaway: Recovery should always be individualized. While early protected weight-bearing can be beneficial for some patients, it depends on the type of fracture, the stability of the surgical repair, your bone quality, and your surgeon’s recommendations.

At Cortese Foot & Ankle Clinic, we stay current with the latest evidence to provide treatment plans based on today’s best available research—not yesterday’s traditions.

If you’ve suffered an ankle fracture or have questions about your recovery, we’re here to help.

📞 309-452-3000

Reference: Konda SR, et al. Immediate Weight-Bearing Compared with Non-Weight-Bearing After Operative Ankle Fracture Fixation: Results of the INWN Pragmatic, Randomized, Multicenter Trial. The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. Highlighted in JBJS Orthopaedic Trauma: What’s New 2026.

07/14/2026

🏆 Voting is NOW OPEN for the Best of Readers’ Choice Awards! 🏆

We are incredibly honored and grateful to our amazing patients and community for voting Cortese Foot & Ankle Clinic as Best Foot & Ankle Center and Best Podiatrist in both 2024 and 2025. Your trust and support mean the world to our entire team.

As voting begins for this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards, we would be truly honored to earn your vote once again! Every vote helps recognize the hard work and dedication our staff puts into providing compassionate, high-quality foot and ankle care every day.

If we’ve made a difference for you, your family, or your friends, we’d be grateful for your support.

❤️ Thank you for allowing us to care for our community. We look forward to continuing to serve you for many years to come!

https://thepantagraph.secondstreetapp.com/2026-Bloomington-Best-of-Readers-Choice---Voting/gallery?group=551831

📍 Cortese Foot & Ankle Clinic
📞 309-452-3000

🇺🇸 We hope everyone had a safe, fun, and memorable 4th of July filled with family, friends, and celebration! ❤️🤍💙Now tha...
07/07/2026

🇺🇸 We hope everyone had a safe, fun, and memorable 4th of July filled with family, friends, and celebration! ❤️🤍💙

Now that the fireworks are over, here’s a fun foot fact:

👣 Did you know your feet contain 26 bones (28 including sesamoids), 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments? That’s nearly one-quarter of all the bones in your body packed into just your two feet! They absorb thousands of pounds of force every day and carry you an average of 75,000 miles over a lifetime—about three trips around the Earth!

If your feet are sore after holiday parades, backyard games, long walks, or standing to watch fireworks, don’t ignore the pain. Healthy feet help keep you moving and enjoying life’s biggest moments.

From all of us at Cortese Foot & Ankle Clinic, thank you for trusting us with your foot and ankle care. We hope you have a fantastic rest of your summer! ☀️👣

📞 309-452-3000

Address

1607 Visa Drive Suite 5B
Normal, IL
61761

Telephone

+13094523000

Website

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