Very common but seldom talked about!

What is that thing on your foot? You recently developed a small blister like area just behind your toenail. It's not going away it's not inflamed and it doesn't look infected. To get the definitive diagnosis you will need to come into the clinic for evaluation both physical exam and if necessary diagnostic ultrasound imaging.

A mucinous cyst is a fluid-filled space occupying lesion that occurs on the toes usually at the joint near the tip of the toe–distal interphalangeal joint and just behind the toenail on the top of the toe. It can look like a translucent lesion or like a blister. These cysts actually communicate with the underlying joint and therefore have joint fluid in them. It's important not to treat these on your own.  If they become infected they can communicate directly with the joint and cause a septic or infected joint.

There are several treatment options. One is you can have it drained at our clinic. They often come back again because the joint fluid that is connected to them has a ready supply to fill them up again. Therefore sometimes we have to excise them. But it's not always that simple. They often come back after excision because remember they communicate with the joint just deep to the lesion itself. Therefore sometimes it is necessary to remove a small portion of the joint directly adjacent to the lesion. Some people choose just to leave them alone or have them drained if or when a flareup. Either way its nice to know for certain exactly what you have.  These are similar but different to a ganglion cyst. If you have questions about a similar problem or like a consultation please let us know.

Myself Dr. Timothy Young, or my partner Dr. Brandon Nelson would be happy to provide a consultation.

I recently saw a nice young woman who had several months of Achilles tendinitis pain and problems. She had gone to a local university clinic and saw a specialist there. She was told that she shouldn't do intense exercise anymore and there really wasn't much that could be done for her condition. It turns out that with diagnostic ultrasound imaging she has a small osteophyte or bone spur with calcific changes at the insertion of the Achilles tendon on the right side. There are multiple treatment options for this. 

The first most important step is accurate diagnosis which we did and provided for her with our in clinic high resolution ultrasound imaging. Then we were able to inform her that although Achilles tendinitis can be quite stubborn, we have very effective treatment protocols. She was treated with prescription orthotics to help eliminate side to side mechanical shear on the Achilles tendon during mid-stance. She was given a posterior night splint. She was given a special brace designed for Achilles tendinitis. 

If all these problems help but not enough we still have the options of shockwave therapy and injections of non-cortisone-based treatment such as injectable Traumeel. She was very grateful to know that there are effective treatments available to get her back to normal activity again. She said this was treatment will be life-changing. It's nice to be able to offer these options for patients.  It is surprising to me how some patients are just told to live with something or that there really aren't many options. We are always here for consultation and we are almost always an additional treatment options. Please let us know if you have problems or are frustrated with your current treatment or evaluation.

Either myself Dr. Timothy Young, or my partner Dr. Brandon Nelson are available for these consultations.

If you are experiencing any foot or ankle pain, do not hesitate to call us at 425-391-8666 or contact us online.

Before you consider foot or ankle surgery, a stem cell therapy consultation is warranted. Stem cell therapy is the most advanced treatment option that we have available for chronic conditions of the foot and ankle. Patients with arthritis, tendinitis, plantar fasciitis and other conditions have found stem cell therapy to be extremely beneficial. Stem cells are harvested from your own bodies tissues and have the ability to differentiate into different types of cells.

Stem cell therapy involves injecting stem cells at the site of damage, using one's own cells heal. Stem cell therapy is usually more beneficial for people with arthritis or more chronic conditions. The procedure itself is relatively painless and can be performed on the same day. If you suffer from chronic foot or ankle conditions and would like last resort for considering surgical intervention try stem cell therapy.

If you are experiencing any foot or ankle pain, do not hesitate to call us at 425-391-8666 or contact us online.