Feet often neglected

Podiatrists take time to education patients

By Amie Steffen | The Daily Journal

Published Monday, February 26, 2007

Feet can be troublesome. We force them into ill-fitting shoes, ignore the resulting problems that occur and wonder why our backs ache.

But not if Drs. Greg and Karen Rouw have anything to say about it.

Both are twice-licensed podiatrists in Fergus Falls, trained as foot and ankle specialists and surgeons, and more than able to help anyone navigate the numerous ailments of the oft-neglected feet.

The interest comes from unique experiences in their younger days.

“I had foot problems when I was young, and I was always interested in science,” Karen Rouw, who hails from Philadelphia, said.

Greg Rouw, originally from New York, noted he had been a competitive figure skater for many years.

“It’s not real great for your feet,” he said.

The pair met at Temple University while in a podiatric medicine program.

After they were married and graduated, they made the move out to Fergus Falls 15 years ago, and took over a former podiatrist’s practice.

“We wanted to come out to the Midwest,” Greg Rouw said. “There’s more opportunity out here.”

The practice was fairly slow going at first — only about 5-10 patients — but has “quadrupled” since then, Greg Rouw said. The pair attributes that to community awareness, in part because of the Rouws’ extensive advertising and lectures at groups around town.

“We advertise, we sponsor programs at the public schools,” Karen Rouw said. “It makes people aware of what you do.”

Once the patients began coming in, Greg Rouw said, they continue the awareness.

“I like to educate my patients,” he said. “Just spend a lot of time with them so they understand what we’re dealing with.”

“Especially the surgery patients,” Karen Rouw added. “They don’t really understand what’s going on.”

The office deals with prevention and treatment of everything from ingrown toenails to hammer toe and biopsies. They also fit shoes for diabetics and others with chronic foot problems (see sidebar).

Other, more in-depth procedures, such as bunion correction, amputations and neuroma, or pinched nerve, surgeries are done Fridays at Lake Region Hospital.

The doctors do it all with a staff of just five full-time and one part-time employees, including one LPN, one medical assistant, one billing person and a receptionist.

The Rouws, like other types of doctors, had to go through extensive training to get to where they are today, including four years of college followed by four years of graduate work in podiatry school. They are board-certified by both the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and by the American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine. They are also both Fellows of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

They see both kids and adults, treating everyone from athletes with sports injuries to diabetics with ulcers. Diabetics, Greg Rouw said, are more prone to severe foot problems.

“Their healing is slowed, a small cut or blister may develop into an ulcer,” Karen Rouw said.

They may be working with a traditionally stigmatized part of the body, but the Rouws say they enjoy the freedom it gives them.

“Dealing with feet, you’re able to talk to someone” at the same time, Greg Rouw said.

“Just that one-on-one contact with the person,” Karen Rouw said. “And making someone feel better.”