Andy Moore, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Chelsea Hospital with a specialization in treating conditions of the ankles and feet. After a decade of service, he left Chelsea Hospital’s medical staff in 2021, but is now back treating patients in the community. He spoke with The Chelsea Update to discuss his return and what makes Chelsea Hospital a top destination for orthopedic care.
Q: Welcome back to the Chelsea community! What made you want to return?
Dr. Moore: The Chelsea community holds a very special place in my heart. It’s where I started a family and where my wife and I first raised our children. After I left, I still ran into friends and former patients from time to time. The opportunity to come back to Chelsea Hospital was impossible to turn down for all those reasons and so many more.
Q: With a specialization in feet and ankles, what are some common ailments your patients see you for?
Dr. Moore: The three most common things I treat are Achilles issues, arthritis, and injuries sustained while playing a sport or exercising. Some of the Achilles problems I treat are from overuse, but most of them are degenerative. As people get older, the Achilles gets tighter, and some people begin to develop spurring and tendinopathy. It’s oftentimes difficult to avoid.
When it comes to arthritis, it mainly stems from age and genetics. I routinely see patients who have pain on the top of their foot or in their knees. These are very common areas to develop arthritis.
Finally, with sports injuries, I treat a lot of soccer players and gymnasts, as these sports lend themselves to minor stress fractures. I also treat a lot of runners who suffer inversion injuries; these happen from people running on uneven or outdoor terrain, or from turning a tight corner.
Q: What advanced or unique procedures do you perform at Chelsea Hospital?
Dr. Moore: It all depends how severe an injury is, but believe it or not, I only recommend surgery for about 10-20 percent of my patients. Surgery is always the final option if nothing else can help.
One surgery we perform at Chelsea Hospital is a total ankle replacement. We take measurements of the patient’s bone, go to our computer program and generate the pieces needed that fit precisely on the contours of the bone. Once the pieces are delivered to us, we perform the procedure, which takes roughly an hour to complete.
Q: Is there anything people can do to alleviate common foot or ankle pain at home?
Dr. Moore: Most patients can probably handle symptoms without needing to see a physician. It all comes down to determining what is causing the pain. Rest, ice, compression and elevation always helps, and you can take over-the-counter inflammatory medications, as needed.
If the pain is too much where you can’t walk on it, or if the pain isn’t getting better – I strongly recommend seeing a medical professional to determine next steps.
Q: Is there anything else you think potential patients should know?
Dr. Moore: We take a comprehensive approach to treating our patients, whether it’s surgical or not. We want all our patients to have the best care possible and feel 100 percent when they leave my office or the hospital. If you or a loved one is experiencing pain in the foot or ankle, reach out to my office at 855-450-2020 and schedule an appointment. A referral is not required. You can also request an appointment online at www.trinityhealthmi.org/ortho.
