Capsulitis is a generic term for inflammation of a joint or the joint capsule. A joint is where two bone come together and are covered with cartilage and surrounded by a joint sac filled with fluid. This allows the joint to glide smoothly and motion to occur. Joints can become painful, especially with abnormal movements or increased pressures. Capsulitis of the second metatarsal is a common condition in the foot.

Capsulitis of the second metatarsal or toe typically presents with pain or swelling under the second toe. Patients often describe a burning or tingling sensation that is worse with walking. The majority of people that experience this type of condition will have other foot and ankle pathologies that are contributing to the capsulitis.

Contributing factors for capsulitis can include a tight calf muscle or a bunion deformity. A tight calf muscle can cause increased pressure to the forefoot. A bunion can create instability and again overload the second metatarsal. Other factors that can play a role in the development are a flatfoot or even shoe gear and exercise patterns.

Second metatarsal capsulitis can be very challenging from a treatment standpoint. It is important to evaluate both feet and all presenting pathologies. An x-ray is a great place to start the evaluation and look at the generalized foot structure. If you believe you have capsulitis schedule and appointment today so we can help. Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today. 

Heel pain has many causes, however the most common cause for adults is Plantar Fasciitis. Most of us have heard this term at some point in our lives because a friend or co-worker has talked about it. But what is it? The Plantar Fascia is the main supporting network of the foot. It runs from your heel bone all the way to your toes. It is active every time you stand or walk and is very important for normal gait cycles. Since this structure is under chronic strain it can become inflamed and over used. This will typically lead to pain in the morning or a bruised type sensation on the bottom of the heel. Patients will often state they feel like they are walking on a pebble. Plantar Fasciitis left untreated can become extremely painful and debilitating.

So when should you see a doctor. I cannot tell you how many patients I see that have had heel pain for greater than a year. The majority of patients will have tried icing and stretching and continue to have pain. I cannot stress enough that plantar fasciitis is much easier to treat with early intervention. I find it extremely valuable to get in to see your doctor early. This will lead to faster recovery and a better long term outcome. Additionally, they are other causes of heel pain and some of these can create serious long term damage. I think it is best if you have pain for greater than a week it is time to have it evaluated. Once evaluated my average patient has a 50-90% reduction in symptoms in less than 1 week.

If you are suffering from heel pain please give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online.

Surgery can be quite a bit to think about. Patients need to make work arrangements and plan with family and sometimes even friends. Especially if it is your first time having surgery it can feel like a lot. We at Issaquah Foot & Ankle Specialists have helped so many patients with surgery that our process makes it extremely easy and relaxing. We will help every step of the way. We provide a surgical binder that has everything you need and will make sure that you get all the assistance you need to make the process feel simple.

I think the most important part of planning when to have surgery is simply preparation. I tell most of my patients to think ahead and figure out when the slowest time of year is for you with both family and work. This is not always possible so the good news is we are here to help. The majority of procedures will allow patients to get back to activities in a few days. We have years of experience and can provide answers to any questions or concerns you may have.

The surgical process is easy as well. We have an onsite surgery center and most of the time you will be at the office for just a couple hours. We have dedicated rooms and staff that will assist you the entire time. If you are contemplating having your bunion fixed or having your neuroma or hammertoes corrected, we can help. Give us a call today at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online.

Bunion surgery is by far the most common surgery I perform. In an average year I fix approximately 100-200 bunions. I have been operating now for 15 years and that adds up to a lot of bunions. That is why I am excited about a new option for helping my patients with bunions. The Lapiplasty is a new option that helps correct bunions. The procedure itself has been around for greater than 50 years however this new instrumentation system allows for quicker healing times and smaller incisions. Please watch this video to see an introduction to the Lapiplasty.

The Lapidus technique to fix a bunion has proven to be one of the best options we have available for bunion surgery. We have been using this technique for years and it has proven to have excellent results and long term outcomes. The Lapiplasty technique is a modification to an existing procedure that improves patient recoveries. See this video for an explanation of the surgical technique.

If you are suffering from a bunion and are finally ready to have it fixed schedule and appointment today. Dr. Nelson has extensive experience with the Lapidus and can help you fix your bunion and get you back to the activities you love. Give us a call today at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online.

Patient Testimonials: See some happy patients below.

https://vimeo.com/277107417/761e175d4e

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It is well known that the number one cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. The most common presenting symptoms if one has plantar fasciitis are pain in the morning and a bruised type sensation on the bottom of the heel. However, there can be many other causes of heel pain and I will discuss a few today. It is important to remember to have your foot evaluated by a physician as this will lead to better outcomes and prevent further damage.

Bursitis, bursitis refers to an inflammation process of a sac of fluid or a bursa. This can be a common cause of heel pain. The presentation of heel bursitis is very similar to plantar fasciitis. One of the best ways to differentiate the two is to have an ultrasound of the heel. Issaquah Foot & Ankle Specialists keeps an ultrasound on hand for all patients with heel pain. Heel bursitis is usually seen on a patient with a thin fat pad and high arched feet.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, or another type of nerve entrapment are common for people that have burning in their feet. This condition is very similar to carpal tunnel of the wrist and involves a nerve or nerves being compressed in the foot or ankle. Typically these patients will have numbness or tingling or pain that does not go away. Often this diagnosis will require a nerve conduction study.

If you are suffering from heel pain make an appointment today and we can help. Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online. 

Many foot surgical procedures such as bunion surgery, involve fusions or cutting the bone and then realigning the bone. An example could also include a lapiplasty bunionectomy. The bones are then held in place with plate screws or pins. One of the most important things for proper healing is to make sure that you don’t put weight on that part of the bone until there’s adequate bridging of the bone.

Your doctor will take x-rays to help determine the timing for this. Also you will have either a boot or a fiberglass cast and you may also have other forms of protection such as a scooter crutches or even a wheelchair. Make sure to plan ahead on this also. For example if you’ve got a short distance then you can put weight on your heel but not the front of your foot that may be fine. If you have to go a longer distance, you may want to plan ahead and bring crutches or use your scooter for that longer distance and only do the short distances with a walking heel part of your cast boot.

If you have questions about bunion surgery, and would like a consultation please let us know. Give us a call today at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online. 

Bunions are painful enlargements around one’s big toe joint. They can be uncomfortable in shoes and with exercise. The majority of pain is usually associated with swelling, throbbing and sometimes redness. Most people with a bunion will have a family history of foot disorders and have a parent with a bunion. Commonly patients will have tried larger shoes or wider shoes and most will continue to have pain despite these measures. I get a lot of questions about the timing of bunion surgery and when to fix the bunion deformity. I will answer some of the most common questions to help others make this decision.

1. When should I have bunion surgery?

The majority of patients I see already have bunion pain and that is why they are in the office. I always have the discussion with patients about whether the bunion is causing pain daily or interfering with the activities they want to enjoy. If these are occurring it is time to fix the bunion. This deformity can make life challenging especially from a physical activity standpoint. If your bunion is preventing you from exercising, it is time to fix it.

2. How long is my recovery?

It depends on the bunion procedure that is utilized. The majority of bunion surgeries patients can begin to walk when they can tolerate it. Surgery will cause some pain and swelling. I like to have my patients aggressively treat the swelling as this will create a quicker return to activities. I also like my patients that are athletic to maintain some sort of activity, like riding a stationary bike. Runners will most likely need about 2-3 months before they can return.

If you are suffering from a bunion and need a consultation to discover what conservative or surgical options are available schedule an appointment online or give us a call at 425-391-8666 today.

Don’t forget that if you take narcotic pain medication, it may have Tylenol in it. Medication such as Percocet and Vicodin may have Tylenol in it and there’s a maximum daily dose of Tylenol, approximately 3000 mg per day. This is why it’s important to keep a log of your medications. If you’re not comfortable with this then make sure to ask your doctor for narcotic pain medication that is a stand-alone item such as pure oxycodone instead of Percocet.

It’s recommended to have a family member help you keep track of these pain medications with a log. Set your clock or phone so that you have a schedule because you want to stay on top of the pain. 

If you are experiencing foot or ankle pain, give us a call today at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online. 

We’ve discussed many of the things that need to be considered after foot surgery, including bunion surgery. One thing to think about is simple meal planning and getting groceries. 

There are options such as planning all your foods and meals ahead of time. Try getting premade meals such as at Costco and keep them in the freezer so you can just put them in the oven and not have to prepare a full meal. Other options could include Uber eats or having a family member pick up other food to go. You can always ask a family member to make a meal for you also. 

Don’t forget that many grocery stores have delivery options also. Amazon fresh is yet one more option. 

Planning your meals ahead of time will really pay off later when you are recuperating from foot surgery!

If you are experiencing foot or ankle pain, please give us call today at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online. 

From a medical standpoint, gout is one of the oldest recognized forms of arthritis dating back to the middle ages. This is often considered a disease of the well-off, because it's associated with over eating and drinking. Gout is an inflammatory disorder that often affects the big toe joint. What can occur is uric acid precipitated out of the body and builds up in joints and tissues causing pain and swelling. The primary source of uric acid is from the metabolism purines from foods we eat. Therefore we elected to focus on recognizing foods that are high in purines or can increase uric acid levels. One of the most common is sugar and all forms can increase gout reduction.

It is advisable to avoid especially sugary drinks and candies, however naturally occurring sugars found improvement but still usually have significant effect. In addition we know that processed foods as well can have an increased effect and uric acid production. Other foods that should be avoided include red meat, organs and wild game. In addition some fish like Salmon and Tuna should be limited as well. Alcohol consumption has a long-standing association with causing significant gouty attacks. Vegetables are generally considered safe. If you are suffering from big toe pain, swelling and redness we at Issaquah Foot and Ankle Specialists can help.

Give us a call today at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.