Archive for the ‘Foot Ankle Center of Washington’ Category

A broken toe should never be ignored. It can lead to chronic pain and arthritis if not treated effectively – and quickly. If you believe you may have broken a toe, get in touch with us at the Foot & Ankle Center of Washington for the most effective treatment for a broken toe Seattle has to offer.

Toe Fracture

Many people will simply ignore persistent toe pain, believing there is nothing that can be done for a broken toe. This could not be further from the truth. In fact, the old wives’ tale that “nothing can be done about a broken toe,” is completely false. Any and all toe fractures should be treated, as quickly as possible. An untreated broken toe can lead to long-term pain and swelling of the toe, while a fracture near a toe joint may lead to arthritis.

These chronic conditions can be avoided through proper diagnosis and quick, effective treatment of your broken toe.

Make an appointment today if you have stubbed your toe or believe you have any type of toe injury. Be sure to let our receptionist know that you may have a broken toe, and she will get you in to see us right away – usually on the same day.

Treatment for a broken toe

We will usually take an x-ray of your toe to confirm a fracture. If you have a broken toe, we will position it to heal properly and immobilize your toe, usually with a special boot or shoe, which will allow you to move about without pain. You may also be required to wear a splint to keep your toe properly positioned for healing.

If you believe you have a broken toe

Immediately following the injury to your toe, you should alternately ice your toe; 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off. Avoid putting weight on the injury until after evaluation by your podiatrist. Keep weight off your foot as much as possible. If you simply must move about, use crutches or a cane to keep as much weight off your injured toe as you can. Do NOT simply “tape your toes together” and hope for the best.

Make an appointment to see us in our Seattle office as soon as possible for the proper diagnosis and treatment of your broken toe.

At just 7 ½ miles from the center of Mercer Island, the Foot & Ankle Center of Washington is the perfect choice for a Mercer Islander in need of podiatric care. If, for example, your Mercer Island podiatrist has recommended surgery for plantar fasciitis, bunions, heel spurs, or any of a number of chronic foot conditions, our doctors, Doctors Huppin and Hale are available for further consultation and a second opinion.

Dr. Douglas S. Hale and Dr. Lawrence Z. Huppin are skilled foot and ankle physicians, each with more than two decades of experience, as well as advanced training and respected credentials. Drs. Hale and Huppin are well known throughout the Pacific Northwest for their conservative yet effective treatment of your feet, and have earned the trust of hundreds of referring physicians. For doctors Hale and Huppin, surgery is always a last resort.

Mercer Island podiatrist uses surgery as a last resort

At the Foot & Ankle Center of Washington, we meet all foot and ankle problems with leading-edge conservative, non-invasive therapies and treatment, only resorting to surgery as a last resort. We put a special emphasis on biomechanical treatment, orthotic therapy, and other conservative treatment options to help you avoid surgery. Yet, once we’ve exhausted all options for treating your problem conservatively, we provide cutting-edge surgical solutions.

Our specialties include:

We now employ the latest, most advanced, state-of-the-art treatment for toenail fungus available. For more on treatments for toenail fungus, follow the links below:

• Laser Treatment of Toenail Fungus
• Nail Fungus Explained
• Guide to Best Lasers to Treat Toenail Fungus
• Diagnosis of Nail Fungus
• Causes of Thick Nails
• Nail Fungus Home Treatment
• Prevent Re-infection of Nail Fungus after Treatment
• Oral Medication for Nail Fungus

If you live in the Seattle metro area, including Mercer Island, the Foot & Ankle Center of Washington and the Seattle Heel Pain Center are the first choice for referral and a second opinion on persistent and chronic foot problems. Contact us today for treatment and relief of your chronic foot and ankle condition.

Even if you’re not an “athlete,” you can still get athlete’s foot, and it’s never fun. Having a fungus anywhere on your body isn’t fun, and guess what; athlete’s foot can spread…Youch!

For the most effective athlete’s foot treatment, the Seattle podiatrist to see is Dr. Douglas S. Hale or Dr. Lawrence Z. Huppin, at the Foot & Ankle Center of Washington.

As mentioned above, athlete’s foot is a fungal infection on your feet, most commonly picked up in a locker room or common shower. Athlete’s foot is passed from one person to another, which makes it a communicable disease, passed along in a moist environment where people walk barefoot. It can also be passed by sharing footwear, such as flip flops in a common shower, or from sharing towels.

Athlete’s foot symptoms are most often found to be cracked or blistered skin, yellow toenails, itching, scaling, and reddening of the skin. If you’ve ever had it, you know it. If you haven’t, you don’t want it.

When treating athlete’s foot at home, it is best to begin immediately, as soon as you notice any of the above symptoms. That fungus is a persistent little devil. The most effective treatments are a combination of anti-fungal soap and anti-fungal topical creams, sprays, powders, or gels along with proper socks and shoes.  Our 6-step plan to treat Athlete’s foot can be found here. You can self-treat athlete’s foot, but if you do so, you must continue the topical treatments for four weeks after the symptoms subside. Remember we mentioned what a persistent little devil that fungus is?

Beyond these treatments, take care not to share footwear or towels at the gym. You should also wear flip flops, your own flip flops and do not lend them to others, in all common wet areas of your gym, gym showers, or pool facility.

Is symptoms persist despite your efforts at self treatment, you should see a podiatrist as soon as possible for further treatment.

If you live in or near Seattle, and you continue to have problems with athlete’s foot, don’t delay. Contact us today for treatment and relief from your preferred Seattle podiatrist.

If you live outside the Seattle area, we offer a list of recommended podiatrists to choose from.

Spring is just around the corner, which for most of us means increased outdoor activity, including hiking. A long walk in the woods is a great way to get back to nature, reduce stress, and simply BE. Also, sharing the experience with family and friends is a great way to connect, or stay connected. Making sure you have the right equipment, including the proper hiking socks, is critical for an enjoyable day on the trails.

If you’re having problems with your feet and would like to get them feeling better before the upcoming hiking season, make an appointment today to visit us at the Foot & Ankle Center of Washington for the proper diagnosis and treatment of your foot or ankle problems.

Having the proper gear for your on-trail adventure is critical to enjoying yourself. Obviously, a good pair of hiking shoes or boots is fundamental to an enjoyable walk in nature, but you also can not afford to overlook an equally important part of the comfortable hiking experience: your hiking socks. There is nothing that will ruin a beautiful day of hiking more quickly than wet, blistered feet caused a poor choice of hiking socks.

Choose the right hiking socks

When selecting the perfect hiking socks for your trips this spring, make sure you think about…

1. Sock Weight: Hiking socks will usually be available in three weights: light, medium or heavy. They can often be easily paired with the intensity of the activity you expect from your hiking experience. A light-weight pair of socks should be all you need for a short, easy walk in the woods, while you will likely need heavyweight socks for a jaunt of several hours or days, over challenging trails.
2. Sock Height: The height of the hiking socks you choose will have a great deal to do with personal preference, meaning comfort as well as fit. Generally, the height of your hiking socks should match the height of your hiking boots, at a minimum. This will help to protect your leg from any rubbing at the top of your boots, especially for mid-cut or high rise hiking boots.
3. Sock Material: There are many natural and synthetic fibers which will provide you with the cushioning, moisture-wicking, and temperature regulating features a hiker needs. Just about anything made with Merino wool, which is both incredibly soft and highly breathable, can be a good choice. However, by all means, you must AVOID COTTON SOCKS for hiking; unless you enjoy ending your hikes with blisters.
4. Sock Fit: Any hiking sock you select should fit well and feel comfortable at all times. Well-fitted hiking socks will be snug, but not tight, and will be an appropriate length for your feet. Hiking socks that are too short will slip down into your boot, while one that is too long will bunch at the toes.

At the Foot & Ankle Center of Washington we recommend choosing from the wonderful assortment of hiking socks available at PlanetShoes.com.

If you are suffering from bunions or big toe joint paint, there are a number of studies which indicate that a quality orthotic, or arch support, will relieve bunion pain and pressure on the big toe joint. While over the counter (OTC) arch supports may relieve this pain and pressure, custom made, prescription orthotics remain the most effective at providing relief.

For a complete evaluation and treatment of bunions or big toe joint pain, and to see if you need custom orthotics or over the counter orthotics, you should make an appointment to see Dr. Hale or Dr. Huppin as soon as possible.

Over the counter orthotics may relieve bunion pain

When properly fitted, a quality arch support will properly support the first metatarsal bone of the foot, maintaining a proper angle and relieving pressure to the big toe. The goal is to find an arch support which will conform to the shape of your foot and hold your foot in a position do the best job of decreasing harmful pressure in the big toe joint that leads to bunions, arthritis, and pain.

The OTC arch support we prefer at the Foot & Ankle Center of Washington, for this type of improved support, is the PowerStep Medical Grade Arch Support. It is constructed with a relatively high and firm arch, which does the best job of any prefabricated orthotic at reducing pressure to the big toe and relieving bunion pain.

Custom orthotics provide total contact support

A total contact orthotic is made from a cast or laser scan of your foot, ensuring a perfect fit and unequaled support. This will provide an almost airtight fit to the arch of your foot, which will prevent the ground from pushing up on the first metatarsal bone. These tightly conforming orthotics are called total contact orthotics. Your podiatrist will then write you a prescription for your custom orthotic arch support, which will be made to order by an orthotic lab.

For more information on using orthotics for bunion pain, visit our Best Orthotics for Bunions and Big Toe Joint Pain Page. To order your OTC orthotics, visit our online orthotics store.

Because of the unusual stress which sports can put on your feet, foot injuries are the most common form of injury during sports. A quality orthotic, or arch support, can help to prevent these injuries, while also helping to improve recovery from a foot injury caused by playing sports.

If you’ve sustained and injury to one or both feet while playing sports, or are seeking improved support to prevent injury during your sporting activities, make an appointment today at the Foot & Ankle Center of Washington. Our doctors, Dr. Douglas S. Hale and Dr. Lawrence Z. Huppin are skilled foot and ankle physicians with advanced training, respected credentials, and meaningful experience in treating and preventing sports related foot injuries.

Over the counter orthotics may help to prevent injury

Proper foot support while playing sports is critical to preventing injury to your feet. Virtually all sports will put more strain on your feet than casual walking, increasing the likelihood of injury. Over the counter (OTC) arch supports can provide this support.

The OTC arch support of first choice at the Foot & Ankle Center of Washington is the PowerStep Medical Grade Arch Support. It is constructed with a relatively high and firm arch, which will provide the support you need regardless of the sport you play.

Custom orthotics provide total contact support

If you’ve sustained a sports related foot injury, after diagnosis and treatment have been completed, a custom made, total contact orthotic will be the most likely means of preventing further or recurring injuries in the future.

A total contact orthotic is made from a cast or laser scan of your foot, ensuring a perfect fit and unequaled support. The custom arch support will provide the tightest fit possible to the arch of your foot, providing the best support possible. Your podiatrist will then write you a prescription for your custom orthotic arch support, which will be made to order by an orthotic lab.

If you’ve recently sustained a sports related foot injury, make an appointment to see Dr. Hale or Dr. Huppin as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment. To order your OTC orthotics, visit our online orthotics store.

Are you suffering from pain between the third and fourth toes of either foot? You may have a neuroma, which is most likely caused by the bones on either side of the nerve pressing together to create pressure on the nerve between them. This pinching of the nerve causes inflammation and thickening of the nerve, leading to the resultant pain. At the Foot & Ankle Center of Washington, we have developed a very effective, conservative treatment plan for neuroma to relieve your pain and help you avoid neuroma surgery.

If you have been told you need neuroma surgery, make an appointment to see Dr. Hale or Dr. Huppin as soon as possible for alternative, non-invasive neuroma treatment.

Our doctors, Dr. Douglas S. Hale and Dr. Lawrence Z. Huppin, are very successful at treating neuroma conservatively, with less than 2% of patients requiring neuroma surgery. Even if you’ve been told by another doctor that neuroma surgery is your only option, you should get a second opinion from us, as our treatments have been proven as an effective alternative to surgery.

Symptoms of neuroma

The symptoms of neuroma will usually manifest between the third and fourth toe of either foot. These symptoms may be…

• Shooting pain
• Burning pain
• Stabbing pain
• Radiating pain
• An odd feeling between your toes

Very often the pain from neuroma will recede with the removal of your shoes and a massage of the area.

Conservative alternatives to neuroma surgery

We have found that neuroma surgery is necessary in less than 2% of the cases we see. Effective alternatives to neuroma surgery include…

• Orthotics
• Anesthetic injections
• Corticosteroid injections
• Chemical Neurolysis
• Shoes with a wider toe box

For more than twenty years now, our alternative treatments to neuroma surgery have proven effective for the vast majority of patients we see.

If you still believe you may need neuroma surgery, please visit our Neuroma Surgery Page for more information on the procedures involved.

Better yet, you should make an appointment today with us to have your neuroma examined and a treatment plan put in place.

If you have tried all conservative treatments for bunion, and you now need bunion surgery, be sure to get an opinion from the Seattle doctors who specialize in bunion surgery at the Foot & Ankle Center of Washington. If you have tried non-surgical treatments and are still suffering from pain and limited activity due to bunion, you should make an appointment to see one of our doctors, Dr. Douglas S. Hale or Dr. Lawrence Z. Huppin, as soon as possible.

Conservative treatments for bunion include, but are not limited to…

• Custom orthotics prescribed specifically to relieve bunion pain.
• Shoe Therapy, including proper shoes for your foot type and activities and possible modifications to your shoes.
• Accommodative padding.
• Activity modifications.
• Medications – short-term therapy may help to reduce inflammation.
• Icing.
• Injection therapy – rarely used but may help in treating an inflamed bursa.

These treatments can be very effective and, at the Foot & Ankle Center of Washington, we will do everything possible to avoid invasive, surgical treatment. In fact, our doctors believe that surgery should be the last resort, not the first.

Bunion Surgery Seattle

However, there are times when bunion surgery has become the last resort and must be considered. These circumstances would include…

• You have a bunion – determined by clinical exam and x-rays.
• You and your doctor agree that you have exhausted all non-surgical care.
• Your bunion interferes with daily activities.
• Pain inside the joint.
• You would like surgery sooner than later

Should you decide that bunion surgery is necessary, here are a few things to consider before you proceed. Make sure that your surgeon meets the following criteria…

• Board certified
• Understands biomechanics of the foot
• Has extensive experience
• Knows how to gently handle tissue
• Has credentials in reputable hospital(s)
• Defines realistic expectations
• Explains potential problem
• Uses foot orthotics after surgery

Detailed information on bunion surgery, including hints on helping you find the right bunion surgeon, can be found here.

Our doctors are skilled foot and ankle physicians with advanced training, respected credentials, and meaningful experience. Drs. Hale and Huppin have more than 20 years experience each, are well known for their conservative yet effective treatment of your feet, and have earned the trust of hundreds of referring physicians.

If you are considering bunion surgery, make an appointment today for a full evaluation and treatment plan.

Avoiding painful, invasive treatments is always our goal at the Foot and Ankle Center of Washington. Conservative, non-invasive plantar fasciitis treatment is the preferred method for any number of reasons, not the least of which is the inconvenience to you, our patient.

Beyond the inconvenience of foot surgery and the resultant immobility it causes, we are very conscious of the expense, as well as the potential complications of surgery. Since the goal of your treatment is to relieve your pain as quickly as possible, and to prevent future problems, we advocate the most effective, least-invasive plantar fasciitis treatment available.

Custom Orthotics and Arch Supports for Plantar Fasciitis

In the majority of cases, the most effective plantar fasciitis treatment is the use of custom orthotics or over-the-counter arch supports to relieve pressure and reduce pain. The use of orthotics or OTC arch supports will reduce the tightness in your plantar fascia by preventing the flattening of your foot with improved support.

Without this simple step, other treatments are more likely to fail. More information on custom orthotics for plantar fasciitis and over-the-counter arch supports is available.

Alternate, Non-invasive Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

For more stubborn cases of plantar fasciitis which do not respond to the use of orthotics and other standard treatments, we offer several alternatives to surgery which are very effective. These include:

Percutaneous Ultrasound Guided Approach to Plantar Fasciitis (“dry needling”): This procedure has shown about 95% success for patients with stubborn plantar fasciitis. It involves numbing your foot and then irritating the plantar fascia to cause minor bleeding which encourages healing. More on Dr. Huppin’s specialty.

Shockwave Therapy: This is a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment option for the intense, persistent heel pain associated with chronic plantar fasciitis. More on Dr. Hale’s specialty.

At the Foot and Ankle Center of Washington we will always begin treatment with the most conservative, least invasive treatments available. Our goal is to increase your comfort level, with both your symptoms and our treatments, as quickly and safely as possible.

Contact us today to discuss the most effective plantar fasciitis treatment for you today.

At the Foot and Ankle Center of Washington, we treat patients throughout the Seattle and Puget Sound region. Our podiatry clinic is located just a few miles away from Eastlake, heading south on I-5. If you need help finding us, here are directions and parking information.

When you need leading-edge treatment for feet and ankle concerns, our doctors have the experience you can trust. Our practice has a focus on rapid relief of pain and long-term results. Some of the specialties include:

• Custom Foot Orthotics. Podiatrists Dr. Huppin and Dr. Hale are known for effective, conservative therapies, including evidence-based orthotic therapy. Orthotics that are made correctly fit the feet better and achieve more positive overall results.

• The Seattle Heel Pain Center. For patients who have chronic heel pain and need rapid relief, we follow a strict set of guidelines for treatment. Even the most difficult and long lasting heal pain can be cured with the right approach.

• Relief for Foot Pain and Injuries. Everyone from children to adults who have painful feet, knees, ankles, or lower body issues need individualized care. Our podiatrists help with athletic injuries, gait analysis, joint pain, any type of foot pain or deformity, biomechanical problems, and more.

• Surgical Options. We believe in doing what’s best for your unique situation—and this rarely begins with surgery. However, our surgical options and expertise are some of the most advanced in the region.

If you live near Eastlake, Seattle, and need a podiatrist, appointments are available here.