February 16, 2017
People often take their feet for granted – until they have a problem. Then they might wonder where to get care for the so important but much ignored foot.
Marshall County residents now have two solutions to that question with the opening of the Marshall Foot Clinic in Guntersville and Boaz.
“This is a good opportunity for medical patients to start seeing a podiatrist on a regular basis,” said Dr. Dustin Grimmett, a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM). “It was an underserved community.”
Dr. Robson Araujo, a DPM, Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and of the American Professional Wound Care Association, points to the death of his wife’s aunt a decade ago that sparked his passion for treating diabetic ulcers. After stepping on a nail and developing an infection, complications caused her to lose her leg. She died soon after. Once a diabetic loses a lower limb, their life expectancy is only 3-5 years.
As a result, Dr. Araujo embraces evidence-based medicine which recommends treating diabetic ulcers with a team approach – each part working together to prevent further problems.
“It takes everybody, the whole medical community,” he said. “That is the way to treat diabetic patients.”
Three main causes of diabetic ulcers are neuropathy, foot deformity and trauma, known as the critical triad. Prevention is key to saving lives so it is crucial that diabetics regularly see a podiatrist. If the disease is well-controlled, diabetics should have their feet checked once a year. Others should get routine care every 10-12 weeks to check for complications.
Diabetic patients comprise close to half of the practice. Dr. Araujo expects that number to grow as the population ages.
Podiatrists diagnose and treat conditions of the foot, ankle and related structures of the leg. Before the clinic opened last fall, there were no podiatrists connected to Marshall Medical Centers. Now, both physicians are performing surgeries at each hospital.
Dr. Grimmett, who had extensive surgical training during his medical residency, said he is pleased with his new hospital colleagues.
“I really am so impressed with the caliber of people practicing here,” he said.
Surgical procedures commonly performed by the podiatrists include correction of deformities such as bunions, hammer toes and intervention with feet affected by rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, Dr. Grimmett has had training on reconstruction of flat feet.
Arthritis also is a common complaint in the feet. Osteoarthritis can be treated with medications, injections, padding inside shoes or surgical procedures that can relieve pain. Another common pathology in the foot stems from rheumatoid arthritis.
“Most people don’t think of a podiatrist until they have foot pain,” Dr. Grimmett said.
An examination usually begins with an x-ray. Often an x-ray is done of both feet in order to compare them.
Both doctors bring their individual strengths to the practice. Dr. Araujo has had surgical training and has extensive experience while Dr. Grimmett recently completed his surgical residency.
“We definitely complement each other,” Dr. Grimmett said.
Dr. Grimmett, 35, grew up in Idaho and came to Alabama as a young man on a religious mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He fell in love with the area – particularly the lake and weather - and with a local girl from Georgia Mountain. He married her and went back up north for seven years to complete his medical training, then returned. Dr. Grimmett and his wife Bridgette now have five children: Evan, 11, Ellie, 10, Piper, 5, Grey, 4 and one-year-old Tallulah.
“It was an easy decision to move back,” he said. “It’s like home. I’m so grateful to live here.”
Dr. Araujo agreed. Born in Brazil, he moved to the United States in 1967 with his family led by his grandfather, who was on a diplomatic mission. They spent seven years in Bethesda, Maryland, went back to Brazil for a period then returned to Maryland where he completed his schooling and graduated from the University of Maryland.
“But I bleed crimson,” Dr. Araujo quickly points out.
Following medical school in Philadelphia, Dr. Araujo did his residency in West Palm Beach and back to Philadelphia to practice for a year. He came to Alabama in 1997 in search of opportunities. Although he engaged in some successful endeavors, he is now where he feels he belongs – the place he considers home.
“Timing is everything,” he said. “It’s very nice to be home. We had no family here when we came. Now we have a large extended family, including our Connect Church family.”
Dr. Araujo, 50, and his wife, Lisa Marie, who works as a computer programmer on Redstone Arsenal, have two children: Robert, 30, and Cierrah, 17, a senior at Guntersville High School. When he isn’t working Dr. Araujo enjoys golf and his boyhood passion, soccer.
Dr. Grimmett and Dr. Araujo rotate between the two locations. The Guntersville office is on Highway 69 near Marshall North. The Boaz office is at 601 A Corley Drive, near Marshall South. Both offices are open five days a week.
“There is always a podiatrist at both locations,” Dr. Grimmett said. “Our goal is to get people in quickly and provide exceptional care.”
All major insurances are accepted, including Medicaid and Medicare.
Call the South office at (256)840-4810, (256)571-8750 for the North office. Visit the website at www.marshallfootclinic.com