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Tuesday, 15 September 2020 15:58
Dr. Brandon Nelson Discusses the Best Options for Bunion Surgery
Contemplating bunion surgery can be an overwhelming task. Often times we see patients that have visited multiple practitioners. The best piece of advice I can give my patients is to be comfortable with the physician. There are many different types of bunion surgeries. The majority of bunion procedures can be broken up to either head or base procedures. The way to think about it is really large bunion deformities as base procedures and smaller bunion deformities can utilize head procedures.
The most common head procedures performed are the Austin bunionectomy or some form of a Chevron osteotomy. The most common of base type procedure is the Lapidus or arthrodesis of the metatarsal cuneiform joint. The procedure performed really dictates the postoperative recovery. The majority of patients we see are walking within the first week and usually do not take more than 3-5 days off of work. Another great things about Issaquah Foot and Ankle Specialists is we have an on-site surgery center which really reduces the cost and time. If you are contemplating bunion surgery we would happily discuss it with you and help you come up with the best available options.
Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.
Monday, 31 August 2020 03:48
Dr. Nelson Discusses When to Have Bunion Surgery
The most common surgical procedure I perform by far is a bunionectomy. The bunionectomy procedure itself can be very rewarding for patients and physicians like. Often times patients come in with a significant amount of foot pain and a history of multiple conservative modalities have been attempted all to no avail. These people are obviously good candidates for surgical correction. Additionally I see a lot of patients that are currently not in pain however have a hard time fitting shoe gear or have a large bunion a family history of bunion deformities.
Surgical intervention is often warranted for patients that have a family history of bunion deformities or have a hard time fitting in shoes. A few patients come in with a large bunion that doesn’t have pain. Initially it is important to evaluate the patient from a clinical standpoint and radiographic standpoint. Often times on the x-ray we’ll see the beginning of arthritis and correcting the bony can help reduce the chance of long-term arthritic changes. I recommend patients that have a bunion to release be evaluated. That way we can at least implement conservative measures.
Sunday, 23 August 2020 22:44
Dr. Timothy Young Talks About How Long to Wait for Bunion Surgery
There are multiple factors to consider on timing for bunion surgery.
One consideration is that over time the bunion gets worse and it’s possible that a more corrective procedure will be needed that will take more time to heal, causing more downtime. Therefore "putting it off" can mean more concerns in the future. Another factor is the fact that this is surgery and it’s helpful to have family help for the first week afterwards. Some of our patients just can’t wait because the bunions are so bad. Then it’s helpful to have a family member help, especially if for example it’s a mother with small children.
Another factor as I mentioned is that the longer you wait the more other problems can develop. It’s not uncommon over time with a bunion to also develop a hammer toe with the second toe. So now there is another procedure that needs to be addressed surgically.
Overtime there is adaptation of the great toe joint with a bunion and more potential for adaptive changes and arthritis.
If you have a bunion and want to discuss treatment options and surgical treatments, please make an appointment to consult with my self - Dr. Timothy Young, or my partner - Dr. Brandon Nelson.
Sunday, 16 August 2020 17:41
Dr. Brandon Nelson Discusses Home Remedies For Heel Pain and Plantar Fasciitis
There is always a lot of discussion about what patients can do at home to help with plantar fasciitis. There are a couple simple instructions that can be helpful for heel pain or plantar fasciitis. One of the most important concepts is icing. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammatory disorder that is directly related to increased pressures on the heel and/or tight calf muscles. Icing can be extremely beneficial for the inflammatory component of this pain. I recommend icing at least 10 minutes a day and most patients will find this extremely beneficial. Icing actually decreases the blood supply to the fascia which helps decrease the inflammatory cascade.
However, decreasing the blood supply to the fascia can delay the healing process so it is essential to have any pain in the foot or ankle evaluated by a podiatrist. The majority of heel pain is caused from plantar fasciitis and before starting any treatment it is important to know the cause. Another treatment option I can be performed at home that patients find it extremely beneficial is calf stretching. It is important to stretch both the gastroc and the soleus muscles so one must perform stretching with both the knee extended the knee flexed. The majority of plantar fasciitis is extremely amenable with conservative measures. If you suffer from chronic heel pain or pain in general of the foot or ankle, please give us a call and we’ll get you back on the road to recovery.
Sunday, 09 August 2020 19:20
Tips for Achilles Tendinitis
One of the most common injuries that we encounter at Issaquah Foot and Ankle Specialists is Achilles tendonitis. The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body, and also one of the most frequently used since it connects the calf muscles to the back of the heel bone. Every time you walk, run, jump, or tiptoe, you use the Achilles tendon.
The most common injuries that can trouble the Achilles tendon are tendon ruptures and Achilles tendinitis. Achilles tendinitis is the milder of the two injuries. It can be recognized by the following symptoms: inflammation, dull to severe pain, an increased flow of blood to the tendon, thickening of the tendon, and slower movement time. Tendinitis can be treated via several methods and is often diagnosed by an MRI.
As a runner or avid exerciser, Achilles tendonitis can really become a frustrating problem. Our foot doctors recommend the following prevention and self-care treatment options for beating Achilles tendonitis:
• Orthotic devices, shoes, or inserts can help to relieve strain on the tendon and reduce impact on the heel.
• When you begin to feel strain on your Achilles tendon, use the RICE method to relieve symptoms: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Without adequate rest, the tendon can become overworked and cause more damage.
• Use supportive sneakers with good arch support and heel cupping so that you don’t have too much tension on the Achilles tendon.
If you are experiencing foot or ankle pain, give us a call today at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.
Sunday, 09 August 2020 18:37
Dr. Brandon Nelson Discusses How to Get the Most Out of Your Bunion Surgery
At Issaquah Foot and Ankle Specialists we average about 3-5 bunion surgeries every week. We find a lot of variation in bunion deformities from pediatrics bunion to Tailor's bunions. Bunions can have many different causes and it’s important to address all these deforming forces in order to maximize outcomes. Some people benefit from what's called a distal or metatarsal head procedure, others will need a more proximal or base procedure.
The majority of bunion procedures we performed patients are usually walking the first day after surgery. The limiting factor is usually swelling or pain at the operative site. We try to encourage patients to ambulate early and do functional range of motion quickly to maximize outcomes. The majority of bunion surgeries we provide at our clinic have great and quick outcomes. If you have bunion pain additionally we have many conservative options that we can provide for patients.
Sunday, 02 August 2020 17:11
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Sunday, 02 August 2020 16:11
Dr. Brandon Nelson Discusses What To Think About For Bunion Surgery
I like to make sure all my patients are well informed for any procedure they are considering, especially bunion surgery. It is important to note both the pros and cons of bunion surgery as well as what the recovery looks like. The majority of bunion procedures allow patients to walk immediately afterwards. However there can be some discomfort. It’s important to understand that pain, swelling and bruising are normal prior to the surgical process.
I encourage my patients ask questions at their pre-operative appointment, as this makes the surgical process much easier. Additionally, I provide all my patients with multiple handouts on what to expect and how to decrease down time and their recovery period. At our clinic we are lucky enough to have an on-site surgical center so this is both a huge time and cost savings for all of our patients. This also affords us the opportunity to perform more bunion surgeries than the average foot and ankle physician and we take great pride and specializing in bunion care. If you’re contemplating bunion surgery or just want an opinion on your bunion we are here to help.
Give us a call today at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online.
Monday, 27 July 2020 00:07
Dr. Timothy Young Talks About Shockwave Therapy And How Long It Lasts
Shockwave therapy is one of the newer and most effective treatments for stubborn plantar fasciitis. It is also an excellent treatment for Achilles tendinitis and other tendon and musculoskeletal problems that we see. It is typical for shockwave therapy to be done anywhere from 3-5 treatments usually with 1-2 week intervals. The treatment results in progressive reduction in your symptoms over a period of 3–4 months from the onset of treatment. Once the treatment is complete most patients do not need additional treatment in this regard.
There are a few exceptions where a short mini series of 2 or 3 treatments may be done at 3 or 4 months from the start of treatment for exceptionally stubborn cases. For the majority of our patients that have this treatment they are pain-free and do not have recurrence of the plantar fasciitis symptoms for a period of years. It is important to keep doing proactive "maintenance such as making sure that you wear your orthotics, stretching your calf, and not going barefoot at home. Failure to do some of these treatments could result in recurrence of plantar fasciitis or reinjury.
If you have plantar fasciitis or other foot or ankle problems, please come to our clinic for a consultation. Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online.
Sunday, 26 July 2020 23:46
Dr. Brandon Nelson Discusses The Best Treatment Option For Neuromas
Neuromas often cause a considerable amount of pain for patients. Typically a neuroma will cause a burning pain between the 3rd and 4th digit. Patients often experience increased pain with wearing shoes and walking. A common phrase we hear is a patient will feel like their sock is balled up in their shoe. Neuromas typically progress and become increasingly painful. I find it to be important to treat them early, this seems to help my patients to get back to normal activities as soon as possible.
I find alcohol injection therapy to be the most effective tool in getting rid of neuromas. I see patients that have had multiple cortisone injections and physical therapy all to no avail. The sclerosing injection therapy works extremely well for patients. The literature success rate is reported to be almost 90%. I find it to be helpful even for patients that are contemplating surgical removal of the neuroma. If you have burning or tingling in your toes or have been diagnosed with a neuroma we can help.
Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online.
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