foot surgeon issaquah
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Wednesday, 08 February 2023 17:33
Dr. Timothy Young, a Board-Certified Foot Surgeon Discusses Tendinosis
Tendonosis. A classic example of this would be Achilles tendon problems. Achilles tendon problems within what we call the watershed region which is several centimeters above the back of the heel. This is also the region that the Achilles is prone to rupture. With Achilles tendinosis there are degenerative changes within the tendon itself and thickening of the tendon. This may or may not be painful. This may or may not have involvement of the paratendon component. This does seem to be aggravated by a tight calf muscle or large muscular calf. It can also be aggravated by mechanical shearing within the tendon in this location. It can be due to overtraining or sport specific.
The most effective treatments for this include prescription orthotics to address the mechanics and to reduce the mechanical shearing within the tendon. Calf stretching and a night splint can be very effective. KT tape is a useful adjunct for this problem. Shockwave therapy is extremely helpful for this condition. Some individuals will require surgery for this. This can involve removing some of the damaged portion of the tendon, and it can also involve lengthening the tight calf muscle with the gastrocnemius recession.
If you are experiencing foot or ankle pain, give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.
The most effective treatments for this include prescription orthotics to address the mechanics and to reduce the mechanical shearing within the tendon. Calf stretching and a night splint can be very effective. KT tape is a useful adjunct for this problem. Shockwave therapy is extremely helpful for this condition. Some individuals will require surgery for this. This can involve removing some of the damaged portion of the tendon, and it can also involve lengthening the tight calf muscle with the gastrocnemius recession.
If you are experiencing foot or ankle pain, give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.
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Thursday, 29 December 2022 17:26
Dr. Timothy Young, a Board-Certified Foot Surgeon, Discusses Removal of Hardware After Foot Surgery
Dr. Timothy Young, a Board-Certified Foot Surgeon, Discusses Removal of Hardware After Foot Surgery.
Hardware for foot surgery typically would consist of screws and if necessary, plates. Sometimes Staples wire and pins are used. Screws and plates can cause irritation after the surgery is complete and the bones have healed. At this point many of our patients asked to have hardware removed. If it involves just screws this is often a very simple process. It is a matter of locating the hardware to make the ideal incision for removal, and then removing the hardware. In the case of the screw is still embedded down with the head of the screw at the surface of the bone.
Sometimes there is bone overgrowth, and this requires a larger incision and bone removal. This would happen typically if it h been more than one or two years after the original surgery. Prior to surgery using x-ray or ultrasound imaging one can plan ahead of time and allow for a much smaller surgical incision and therefore a much quicker postprocedure recovery. In these cases often just one simple suture or Steri-Strips is all that is necessary for wound repair. In the case of screws where there has been bone overgrowth, or plates the larger incision has to be made.
Therefore, there will be more wound healing and additional sutures required. In the case of hardware removal with just several small screws and small incisions, often there can be returned to activity within a week. If it is a larger procedure as described above involving a plate or bone overgrowth, then there may be a longer recovery of two weeks or even longer. Another intraoperative tool that we have within our ASC is fluoroscopy. Fluoroscopy can help locate hardware if there has been bone overgrowth or other factors making it difficult to find hardware during surgery.
If you are experiencing any foot or ankle pain, give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.
Sometimes there is bone overgrowth, and this requires a larger incision and bone removal. This would happen typically if it h been more than one or two years after the original surgery. Prior to surgery using x-ray or ultrasound imaging one can plan ahead of time and allow for a much smaller surgical incision and therefore a much quicker postprocedure recovery. In these cases often just one simple suture or Steri-Strips is all that is necessary for wound repair. In the case of screws where there has been bone overgrowth, or plates the larger incision has to be made.
Therefore, there will be more wound healing and additional sutures required. In the case of hardware removal with just several small screws and small incisions, often there can be returned to activity within a week. If it is a larger procedure as described above involving a plate or bone overgrowth, then there may be a longer recovery of two weeks or even longer. Another intraoperative tool that we have within our ASC is fluoroscopy. Fluoroscopy can help locate hardware if there has been bone overgrowth or other factors making it difficult to find hardware during surgery.
If you are experiencing any foot or ankle pain, give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.
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Wednesday, 14 December 2022 20:06
Dr. Timothy Young, a Board-Certified Foot Surgeon Discusses Digital Foot Surgery.
Dr. Timothy Young, a Board-Certified Foot Surgeon Discusses Digital Foot Surgery.
Sometimes during toe surgery, a pin will stick out the end of the toe. And other times, the pin will be buried or covered with skin. As we've discussed previously, it is common to use a K wire or pin during hammertoe surgery or other digital foot surgery. Often times the pin will stick out of the tip of the toe and be visible. When this is done it is very easy when the time is appropriate, for your surgeon to remove the K wire without making an incision in your toe. The advantage to having the K wire covered with skin or buried is that there is no direct pathway for bacteria to travel from the pin into the toe.
Therefore it is okay once you incision has healed to get your foot wet with the buried K wire, but that is not possible when it sticks out of the toe. Also the K wire can be left in this buried position for a longer period of time without pin track irritation or infection. The disadvantage of a buried K wire is that removal will require a minor procedure to remove the pin. Sometimes because there is such a thin fat pad at the tip of the toe, it's difficult to get enough tissue or skin to properly.
If you are experiencing foot or ankle pain, please give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.
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Wednesday, 14 December 2022 19:58
Dr. Timothy Young, a Board-Certified Foot Surgeon, Discusses Why Toes Are Often Pinned During Foot Surgery
Dr. Timothy Young, a Board-Certified Foot Surgeon, Discusses Why Toes Are Often Pinned During Foot Surgery
Pinning toes (with a K wire) is a common practice with foot surgery. In reality what is called a pin is a Kirschner wire or K wire. The K wire is typically is placed directly within the bones of the toe. The purpose is to hold the toe incorrect alignment. For example in other parts of the body including midfoot, ankle and leg when there's a fracture often a cast will work. But one can not effectively cast a toe. Therefore pinning a toe is an excellent option that holds it stable to allow for the correct healing and the correct alignment to be maintained during the postop time frame. For example, a patient with a hammertoe will have a contracture and adaptation of the proximal interphalangeal joint or the first knuckle within the toe.
This bone has to be surgically remodeled to allow for realignment. Once the bone remodeling is done, rather than just putting a bandage on the toe, a K wire is used in the toe to make certain that the correction and alignment are maintained exactly as necessary and so that the postoperative healing will continue in the correct alignment until that initial healing is adequate. In some cases the toe is actually fused and typically the K wire with stay in between four – six weeks. The closer to the six week timeframe, the higher correlation with long-term successful fusion.
If you are experiencing foot or ankle pain, please give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.
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Wednesday, 16 November 2022 18:44
Dr Brandon Nelson, A Board Certified Physician & Surgeon, Discusses How the Lapiplasty Procedure Works
The Lapiplasty has seen a lot of attention in recent literature. It seems to be moving to the forefront of foot surgery and is showing promising results. It has shown to be a reproducible bunion surgery that has great long term results. I find the procedure to be highly successful and utilize it weekly in my bunion surgeries.
Lapiplasty is a surgical technique and instrument set that allows surgeons to decrease operating time and help patients return to activities much more quickly. It utilizes a technique that has been proven to be one of the best corrective measures for bunions. It also provides for great fixation of a bunion and maintains flexibility of the big toe joint.
My experience with the Lapiplasty has been positive. It makes the correction of the bunion much easier and reproducible. It allows for precise bone cuts and easy options for fixation of the bone. I find it extremely helpful for young patients and decreasing the chance of recurrences. The overall recurrence rate seems to approach about 3%. If you have a bunion and would like a consultation for a Lapiplasty please contact my office. Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.
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Wednesday, 07 September 2022 18:40
Dr Brandon Nelson, A Board-Certified Physician & Surgeon, Discusses Lis Franc Injuries and Chet Holmgren
Lis Franc injuries refer to a midfoot injury that can occur when force is applied to the foot. The original injury was named for a Napoleonic Surgeon that saw quite a few soldiers fall from horse back and injure their foot. This injury now is most common in sports and can be quite devastating to the player.
Lisfranc injury is a dislocation or fracture in the midfoot area. It is very rare, however, vital that it is not missed because long-term damage can occur.
Chet Holmgren, the number 2 pick overall in the NBA draft recently injured his foot. He was drafted by the Thunder and a standout from Gonzaga, this 7 footer is expected to be a force in the NBA. He was guarding Lebron James when the injury occurred.
Click or tap to follow the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMRyU1dkoIY.
It is clear this was a Lis Franc’s injury, and he has undergone surgery already. This will be a long recovery and he may miss the entire season. We wish this young man the best and a speedy recovery.
In my practice I see quite a few athletes that present with a delayed presentation of this injury. Typically, they will present to the ER with an injury that is diagnosed or assumed to be a sprain. However, weeks later they are still in pain and find their way to my office. Careful exam and x-ray can usually reveal this problem but sometimes an MRI is warranted. Treatment then proceeds and most patients make a great recovery depending on the severity of the injury. If you have a foot sprain and are in pain, please don’t delay and contact the office immediately at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online.
Sincerely,
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Wednesday, 06 July 2022 16:17
Dr. Timothy Young, a Board Certified Foot Surgeon, Discusses How to Enhance Results of Hallux Limitus Surgery with a Cheilectomy
Dr. Timothy Young a board certified foot surgeon discusses how to enhance results of hallux limitus surgery with a cheilectomy.
For early to moderate stage hallux limitus with degenerative joint disease and adaptive changes of the great toe joint, a common procedure is a cheilectomy. During this procedure, the bone spurs or osteophytes are removed and additional bone is removed from the dorsal or top of the first metatarsal head.
In addition, during the surgery the joint fluid is flushed out of the joint space. This is joint fluid that is produced by of the synovial lining of the joint. After the surgery is done additional joint fluid will replenish this loss of joint fluid. We can augment this process. We commonly add synthetic joint lubricant to the joint early during the postoperative period. We currently use Supartz Hauluronic acid to enhance our results after surgery. This facilitates early range of motion and, also has a protective effect on the cartilage. In addition, ultrasound guidance is used to verify the correct position and placement of the Supartz directly into the joint. Early physical therapy can be beneficial also.
If you have arthritis of your great toe joint or questions about potential surgery or procedures for this please request a consultation at our clinic. Give us a call today at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.
If you have arthritis of your great toe joint or questions about potential surgery or procedures for this please request a consultation at our clinic. Give us a call today at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.
Wednesday, 18 May 2022 17:08
Dr. Timothy Young, A Board Certified Foot Surgeon, Discusses Postsurgical Scar Formation and Supplements
Dr. Timothy Young, A Board Certified Foot Surgeon, discusses postsurgical scar formation and supplements.
There is always scar tissue formation after foot surgery. The obvious scar formation is the skin incision. But the scar extends all the way deep to the entire surgical area that was treated with surgery. For example, with bunion surgery the capsule of the great toe joint has to be incised to access the joint and the bony prominence and also allow for any bone work or osteotomy. After the deep bone work is complete the capsule is sutured back together and has to heal. But the capsule may scar down tightly and limit post surgical range of motion.
In addition after bone is resected bone often has excellent blood flow and there can be a blood clot or hematoma on the surface of the bone, deep within the wound. This can be resorbed by the body and also can eventually convert to scar tissue and again cause ongoing swelling or stiffness to the surgical site. Two supplements may be helpful for this. One is nattokinase and the other is serrapeptase. Both of these supplements should be taken 30 minutes before food for best absorption. The nattokinase can be taken once a day and this serrapeptase can be taken twice a day. Talk to your surgeon or naturopath to further discuss the role of these supplements with your particular situation.
If you are experiencing foot or ankle pain, give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.
In addition after bone is resected bone often has excellent blood flow and there can be a blood clot or hematoma on the surface of the bone, deep within the wound. This can be resorbed by the body and also can eventually convert to scar tissue and again cause ongoing swelling or stiffness to the surgical site. Two supplements may be helpful for this. One is nattokinase and the other is serrapeptase. Both of these supplements should be taken 30 minutes before food for best absorption. The nattokinase can be taken once a day and this serrapeptase can be taken twice a day. Talk to your surgeon or naturopath to further discuss the role of these supplements with your particular situation.
If you are experiencing foot or ankle pain, give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.
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Tuesday, 30 June 2020 01:56
Dr. Timothy Young Talks About Minimally Invasive Foot Surgery
Traditional foot surgery involves an open incision to fully expose and gain full access to the anatomical site being worked on. For example traditional bone spur surgery to clean up and arthritic bunion site may have an incision approximately 2–3 centimeters in length. With the minimal incision technique this incision could be fraction of that possibly just 1 cm or less. With a small incision the wounds heal faster. With a smaller incision and with less exposure it is possible that some of the bone spurs will not be fully removed.
So it is a compromise. There are times when minimal incision surgery is extremely effective. For example smaller bone spurs on the toes can be removed with a small incision and a burr power. Sometimes a tight tendon can be released through a very small incision. There are some innovative new systems and medical instrument companies that are coming up with techniques to do some procedures through a small incision. The following is an example of minimal incision surgery to remove a spur on the fifth toe. There is a before and after image of the x-ray. The incision on this is typically only 4 mm in length.
So it is a compromise. There are times when minimal incision surgery is extremely effective. For example smaller bone spurs on the toes can be removed with a small incision and a burr power. Sometimes a tight tendon can be released through a very small incision. There are some innovative new systems and medical instrument companies that are coming up with techniques to do some procedures through a small incision. The following is an example of minimal incision surgery to remove a spur on the fifth toe. There is a before and after image of the x-ray. The incision on this is typically only 4 mm in length.
If you have questions about foot problems and or foot surgery please feel free to contact our office at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.
