Dr. Sigle Brings Rock N' Roll to Podiatry

Submitted by Foot & Ankle Center of Illinois, Illinois Laser Center

Last month, radio commercials were blasted all over Springfield and Decatur radio stations about the Sexy Toes contest that was co-sponsored by Dr. John Sigle, foot and ankle surgeon in Springfield and Decatur, and Neuhoff Media. The commercials were produced to promote Springfield’s Rock the Dock event and to launch new services offered at the Foot & Ankle Center and Illinois Laser Center.

Applicants sent in a self-photo of their toes (TOEFIE) to a panel of judges and the winners were announced at the Rock the Dock event held at the Springfield Marina. Prior to the announcement, Dr. Sigle appeared on Sports Radio 1450 to promote the event.  The interview made quite a splash because Sam Madonia whipped off his shoes and socks and asked Dr. Sigle for an on-the-air house call.

“Here it is Doc. Right here! It’s killing me!” said Sam. Dr. Sigle quickly diagnosed Sam’s problem and when he told him that surgery was not required, Sam was relieved.

According to Dr. Sigle, “the Sexy Toes Contest was a fun promotion that had a lot of sizzle because the winners won free VIP tickets to the Journey – Steve Miller Band concert in St. Louis. Some of the winners also received free laser treatments. The number of hits on our web site went off the charts.”

As Dr. Sigle and his entourage of guests headed toward St. Louis to meet the winners at the concert, they also had an opportunity to meet the band. Dr. Sigle also spent some time with the Journey’s sensational new singer, Arnel Pineda. Here’s what Dr. Sigle had to say about him: “Arnel’s rise from ambiguity to the world stage is incredible. It’s one thing to watch him perform but you have a completely different level appreciation when you meet him. He was literally plucked from YouTube to replace a legendary rock singer (Steve Perry) and asked to lead a world-renowned band around the world. He’s not only incredibly gifted; he’s kind, gentle, and humble. Arnel’s story is like a Cinderella fairytale. It shows you that good things happen to good people. It also reinforces that anything is possible if you work at it.”

Another Journey
Dr. Sigle’s professional journey in podiatry has also been a climb. He has an impressive list of credentials and advanced training that allowed him to go one step beyond most foot and ankle surgeons. After medical school, he completed a three-year residency podiatric and surgical residency program at Botsford General Hospital, Farmington Hills, Michigan, and a one-year advanced residency for trauma and reconstructive ankle surgery at Kaiser Foundation Hospital, San Francisco, California.

These experiences fueled Dr. Sigle’s passion to become a better surgeon and to pursue more training. According to Dr. Sigle, “The year I spent in San Francisco working under Dr. Jack Shuberth was life changing. I was able to get experience in major reconstructive rearfoot surgery, ankle fractures, foot fractures and dislocations, infection management, limb salvage, advanced wound care, trauma, and ankle replacement. Dr. Shuberth, is a renowned foot and ankle surgeon and he taught me how to be a surgeon and a doctor. He always stressed the importance of blending technical surgical skills with humanitarian skills. He taught me how to listen, and how to be thorough in my diagnosis, and how to be forthright and personal in my communications with patients. These lessons have become the cornerstone for my relationship with patients.”

Dr. Sigle has a rare distinction that few podiatrists have. He went the extra mile to seek upper level certification that set him apart from his peers. He is board-certified in foot surgery and board-certified in reconstructive rearfoot/ankle surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS). These are credentials you can trust. Less than 5 percent of podiatrists in Illinois have this distinction.

He has been practicing for over a decade in Springfield as a foot and ankle surgeon/podiatrist. This past month marked the third Anniversary for the Foot & Ankle Center of Illinois. His practice continues to grow as patients come from all over central Illinois for his services.  The majority of patients are treated at his primary clinic location in Springfield, Illinois, but he also has clinics at the SIU School of Medicine, Division of Orthopaedics, and at St. Mary’s Hospital, in Decatur. By combining outstanding personalized care and advanced techniques, he is considered to be one of the most trusted foot and ankle surgeons in central Illinois.

Dr. Sigle is always on the cutting edge and often leading the way for the use of new surgical procedures. According to Dr. Sigle, “I want to offer my patients the ultimate level of foot and ankle care. Technology is rapidly changing. I am never content just being able to offer current conventional practices. I am always looking ahead to bring new advancements to the practice. Improving patient outcomes is what it’s all about. I don’t sit back and welcome new treatment options, I pursue them. I want to be able to make a difference in my patient’s lives and help restore their quality of life.”  

An Array of Services
Dr. Sigle offers a comprehensive array of surgical services including:

• Reconstructive surgery: Bunion and hammertoe correction, arthroscopic surgery, total ankle replacement, ankle and hindfoot arthritis, arch problems, congenital anomalies, paralytic reconstruction
• Sports medicine: Sprains and inversion injuries, ligament and tendon reconstruction
• Trauma and surgery: Minor and major fracture care, nerve and tendon injuries, sprains and inversion injuries, sports injuries, tarsal tunnel and neuroma surgery, post-traumatic reconstructions
• Diabetic wound care: Ulceration and skin breakdown, fractures and Charcot joint changes, neuropathy and nerve damage
• Lower extremity wound care: Post-surgical wounds, vascular testing, pressure ulcers, wounds from trauma or injury

A Specialized Atmosphere
According to Dr. Sigle, “Since our inception, we wanted to create the ultimate podiatric clinic that would set us apart from the other foot and ankle clinics. We have positioned ourselves to provide the most advanced surgical services and a unique blend of services that are not offered elsewhere.”

Some of the specialized services include:

• 20/20 imaging: A barrier-free digital X-ray machine designed exclusively for podiatric use. Patients do not have to leave the premises for x-rays. “Everything is real time for us. As soon as the x-rays are taken I am able to view in the exam rooms with my patients,” said Dr. Sigle.
• Barrier-free power exam tables: Each exam room is equipped with barrier-free exam tables for convenient access.
• Smart exam rooms: Each exam room contains a computer terminal to allow physician documentation and X-ray viewing. Wireless speakers are also available for patient listening and enjoyment.
• Electronic health records (EHR): All records are electronic with connectivity to the HSHS network to streamline the transmission of patient records to other providers and labs.
• Portable ultrasound equipment: Ultrasound equipment is used for imaging purposes and diagnosis.
• Custom orthotics: Casting impressions are made at the clinic for custom-made orthotics and braces.

Illinois Laser Center
Dr. Sigle was the first podiatrist in central Illinois to use a Cutera GenesisPlus laser and a Cutting Edge MLS laser. Genesis Plus Treatments are used for toenail fungus removal and are far superior to conventional over-the-counter topicals and oral medications. Treatments are quick, relatively painless, and safe. Success rates are as high as 70-80 percent. Cutting Edge MLS laser treatments are non-invasive, painless with no side effects. This laser is used by many NFL, NBA, and MLB teams to facilitate healing and game readiness. Treatments are mostly given to treat people who have on-the-job accidents and sports injuries. Success rates are outstanding for reducing inflammation and pain, and improving mobility.

The clinic also offers a wide range of durable medical equipment to its patients for added convenience. This includes Safe Step diabetic shoes, inserts, and special support braces that are fully funded if a patient meets eligibility requirements. Other medical products like ankle braces, casting and splinting devices, and products for toenail fungus, athlete’s foot, wart removal, skin care products, wound and diabetic care products, and more can be obtained at the clinic for pre- and post-op use.

The clinic now offers a new KeryFlex nail cosmetic treatment that is used in conjunction with laser treatment for toenail fungus and other nail deformities. Podiatry Today Magazine recognized this treatment as one of the top 10 innovations in podiatry.

Dr. Sigle’s quest to create the ultimate podiatry clinic is coming closer to reality. This fall he intends to open a new retail store devoted entirely to foot and ankle products for foot ailments. A new Pedi-spa will also be opened at the Clinic. The Pedi-spa will be uniquely different than typical nail salons because it will mesh the clinical services offered at the medical clinic with nail salon services. Medical assistants and licensed nail techs will be on staff at the Pedi-spa. Surgically sterilized instruments will be used to ensure the highest standards of care to both men and women.

To learn more about these new and exciting services, view the clinic’s website at www.myfootandanklecenter.com. Call 217-787-2700217-787-2700 to schedule an appointment at the Foot & Ankle Center of Illinois located at 2921 Montvale Drive, Springfield, IL, or at St. Mary’s Hospital, Medical Arts Building, 1900 E. Lake Shore Drive, STE 210, Decatur, IL.

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Dr. Sigle plays a vital role as an advocate for foot and ankle care in central Illinois. He has been interviewed on public radio and local talk shows, and appeared on television as the spokesperson for the Podiatry Association to promote Diabetes Awareness on Peripheral Neuropathy. For the past couple of years he has published articles that appeared in the Healthy Cells Magazine each month. Currently, he is the principal author for foot and ankle section that appears weekly in the State Journal-Register, My Health Illinois blog.

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