Nicholas C. Noah, DPM

Podiatrist (Foot and Ankle Specialist)

5226 South College Rd Unit 4 Wilmington NC, 28412 Show map

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About

Dr. Nicholas Noah is a podiatrist practicing in Wilmington, NC. Dr. Noah is a medical doctor specializing in the treatment of the foot , ankle and related parts of the leg. As a podiatrist, Dr. Noah diagnoses and treats conditions of the feet. The feet are key body parts that give a person stability, absorb shock, allow for walking and standing and are necessary for overall well-being. So, the feet need expert care. Podiatrists can specialize in surgery, wound care, sports medicine, diabetic care and pediatrics.

Education and Training

Barry University School of Podiaric Medicine and Surgery

Provider Details

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Nicholas C. Noah, DPM

Nicholas C. Noah, DPM's Expert Contributions

My Answers

What to do right after twisting your ankle?
After an acute ankle sprain the most important treatment protocols are to control the edema or swelling. A compression dressing of some sort is commonly utilized especially in the acute phase during the first 5-7 days after injury. In more severe injuries I will apply weekly unna boots to the ankle, rx anti-inflammatories meds, and immobilize in a Pneumatic boot or CAM walker. If you are unable to put weight on your foot I would recommend crutches and seeking medical care. I wish you a speedy recovery. READ MORE
Why does the bone under my big toe hurt?
The most probable cause of your pain is a condition called sesamoiditis. It is a common condition I see in more active patient population. The big toe joint is supported by the tibial and fibular sesamoid that reside in flexor tendons that course the plantar aspect of the joint. Repetitive microtrauma to the sesamoids can cause inflammation along the tendon sheath and sometimes can cause swelling in the bone and even fractures in some cases. If your pain continues to persist I would seek a specialist to discuss your particular condition and treatment options. Good luck to you. READ MORE
What is the best pain relief for plantar fasciitis?
The conservative treatment protocol for plantar fasciitis includes stretching exercises, RICE, anti-inflammatories, OTC vs custom orthotics, injection therapy, physical therapy and immobilization. I recommend you start plantar fascia exercises 10 minutes before you get out of bed and consider an anti-inflammatory for the next two weeks. I also recommend massaging your arch with a tennis ball and frozen water bottle 2-3 times a day. If you are continuing an exercise regimen you should stretch before and after the activity. Good luck to you and thank you for the question. READ MORE
How do I know if my ankle injury is serious?
If you are unable to bear weight on your extremity then that is always concerning for ligament rupture or fracture. I wish you the best of luck in your recovery. READ MORE
How long does it take to recover from a broken ankle?
Normal bone healing is 6-8 weeks depending on the fracture. Non-surgical and surgical ankle fractures come with different treatment protocols. I would recommend you see a specialist for a comprehensive treatment plan. I wish your child the best in their recovery. READ MORE
When do you see a doctor for a sore ankle?
If you are still having pain and weakness after 3 months of an acute ankle sprain I recommend seeing a specialist. Good luck to you and thank you for your question. READ MORE
The arch in my foot has lessened over time?
Adult acquired flat foot is a condition that can cause problems. Most commonly it can cause Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction which causes synovitis, tendonosis, pain and sometimes tearing of the tendon. I recommend orthotics, anti-inflammatories and on occasion physical therapy to avoid surgery. If you are not experiencing pain then I would just seek out a good pair of OTC orthotics. Thanks for your question and Happy Holidays. READ MORE
My heels are in pain all the time?
Thanks for your question. There can be many causes of heel pain. In my practice about 80-90% of patients with heel pain are experiencing plantar fasciitis. This condition causes inflammation near the origin of the plantar fascia on the bottom of the heel. Conservative treatments include RICE, anti-inflammatory medications, stretching exercises, night splints, orthotics, physical therapy, steroid injections and in some cases immobilization. A small percentage of patients require surgery if conservative treatments fail. I would seek a medical professional if your condition persists. Good luck to you and happy holidays. READ MORE
Will I need surgery for a sprained ankle?
Most patients that experience a grade 1 or 2 ankle sprain do not require surgery. A sprained ankle can take weeks to months to heal due to the poor blood supply of ligaments. Only in patients with a complete tear of the anterior talofibular ligament, ankle instability, or severe ligamentous laxity is surgery required. Good luck to you and thank you for your question. READ MORE
Can a podiatrist perform surgery?
Any podiatrist that has completed a two or three year surgical residency can perform surgery. I myself completed a three year foot and ankle reconstructive surgical residency and perform surgery daily in my office. I also perform surgery at the local surgical center and hospital. Thank you for your question and I wish you a speedy recovery from your foot fracture. READ MORE
What's wrong with the bottom of my feet?
The most common cause of pain to the plantar aspect of the foot is a condition called plantar fasciitis. People that have a tight heel cord or calf muscles are susceptible to the condition. I recommend stretching exercises, RICE, anti-inflammatories, orthotics and injections. In recalcitrant cases physical therapy and immobilization is implemented. The last resort is surgery. I suggest you see a professional if your pain persists. Good luck to you and thank you for your question. READ MORE
I have twisted my ankle on a walk and don't know how to fix it?
If you are having difficulty walking and putting weight on your foot I suggest you see a specialist. Ankle sprains can take weeks to months to completely heal based on the severity of the injury. The most important thing to do is to control the swelling or edema so compression is key. I recommend you also rest, ice and elevate your extremity. Good luck to you. READ MORE
How long does it take for a broken foot to heal?
Thanks for the question. Normal bone healing takes 6-8 weeks. With that said there are certain types of fractures that have a higher chance of becoming non-unions or fractured bones that can have longer healing rates. I suggest you seek council with your medical professional to discuss your particular foot fracture and treatment protocol. Good luck to you. READ MORE
What can be the cause of my toe pain?
Hello and thank you for your question. The most common cause of pain with redness to a toe in a 23 year old is a paronychia otherwise known as an ingrown nail. In my experience home treatments usually do not resolve the condition. I would seek a medical professional. In the meantime warm soapy water soaks with epsom salt can help ease the pain from the swelling secondary to the infection. Good luck to you. READ MORE
What causes toenails to be thick and yellow?
The most common causes of acquiring a thick and yellow nail is onychomycosis or classic nail fungus or a traumatic incident to the nail that causes damage to the nail matrix cells. Treatments are topical and oral antifungals, laser treatment or nail removal. Thank you for your question. READ MORE
My right foot has been hurting, what could it be?
The most common cause of heel and arch pain is a condition called plantar fasciitis. It can be caused by a variety of things. Conservative treatments include stretching exercises, RICE, orthotics, anti inflammatories, injections, physical therapy and immobilization. I recommend you do an online search for plantar fasciitis exercises and find a good pair of OTC arch supports and take Motrin 800mg three times a day for 1-2 weeks and if your pain has not not improved then I would consider seeing a specialist. Good luck to you and thank you for your question. READ MORE
How can I treat an ingrown toenail?
Hello and thank you for your question. Home treatment for an ingrown nail includes warm soapy water epsom salt soaks twice a day and ‘bathroom’ surgery. Bathroom surgery is where people attempt to cut back the nail as far as they can to the nail cuticle as possible without anesthesia. I do not recommend this. If your paronychia or ingrown nail becomes worse ie more red, hot and swollen I suggest you see a professional. Good luck to you. READ MORE
Are high heels safe for my feet?
Hello and thank you for your question. There are things to look out for when wearing high heels regularly. Mostly, if they cause you pain should be the first indicator something is wrong. If you have a family history of bunions or hammertoes then I would consider cutting back. There is a misconception that high heels cause bunions which is not true. High heels can speed up the progression of a bunion, especially with a family history. Also, I have found high heels to cause other forefoot conditions, to many to list in this forum. I would take a common sense approach to your high heel usage. Finding out if you have a family history of foot conditions would be my first suggestion. I wish you well, good luck to you. READ MORE
What is the best way to treat ingrown toenails?
Home treatments for ingrown nails include epsom salt soaks in warm soapy water and something called bathroom surgery where people attempt to cut the affected nail fold back as far as they can without the use of local anesthesia. I do not recommend this. If your ingrown is causing you pain that means it is close to becoming a full blown paronychia or infected ingrown nail with abscess. Without treatment the infection will spread to the bone resulting in osteomyelitis which sometimes requires amputation of the affected toe. I recommend you see a professional. Thank you for your question and good luck. READ MORE
Is there an effective way to remove and prevent corns?
Painful corns or heloma durum or heloma molle lesions occur on the feet due to musculoskeletal disorders such as bunions and hammertoes in ill fitting shoe gear. The corns build up callus like skin due to the abnormal pressure and shearing that occurs at prominent joint spaces. I recommend keratolytic creams such as ammonium lactate, urea cream and hydrasole (sold in the office). Also gel sleeves, crest pads and toe spacers can be helpful. Most of my patients come in routinely to have their lesions pared down with a blade in office. Wide shoe gear is essential in avoiding the perpetuation of the lesions. In serious cases I recommend surgery. Thanks for the question and good luck to you. READ MORE

Areas of expertise and specialization

Foot and Ankle Surgery

Professional Society Memberships

North Carolina Foot and Ankle Society

Articles and Publications

Buchman, J. DPM, Noah, N., Aoun, Y., Ashe, K., Shelford, J. \"Modified \"S\" Type Elliptical Excision of a Dermatofibroma\". The Foot and Ankle Online Journal 3(6): 2. June 2010
Botek, G. DPM, Noah, N. DPM, Owings T. D. Eng., Suba, J., ??Evaluating Iatrogenic Complications of the Total Contact Cast (TCC): A 6 Year Retrospective Review at the Cleveland Clinic?. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. Jan 2016, Vol. 106, No. 1 (January 2016) pp. 1-6

What do you attribute your success to?

My parents

Teaching and speaking

4/06:   Noah, N.“Recent changes in biotechnology”. Senior Seminar, University of North Carolina at Wilmington

11/08: Noah, N.“SLE and Rheumatoid Arthritis with their common manifestations”. Podiatric Medicine presentation Barry University

11/08: Noah, N. and Britt J.“Case presentation: Johnson RT et al. N Engl J Med. 2005. 353:1042-1050”. Medical Microbiology
            presentation on Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Barry University

10/12: Noah, N.“Talipes Equinovarus”. Oklahoma Fall State Meeting 2012