Dr Timothy Young Talks About Tight Calves and Foot Problems

Surgery of the ankle is a fairly common procedure. The majority of ankle surgeries have to do with the outside of the ankle or the lateral ankle complex. The lateral ankle complex is composed of the lateral ankle ligaments and the peroneal tendons. The ligaments on the outside of the ankle are the most important ligaments for stability. These ligaments are often injured with an ankle sprain or ankle fracture. The peroneal tendons work to dynamically stabilize the ankle with activities. These tendons can also be injured with repetitive use or chronic ankle sprains. It is important for anybody that has more than 1 ankle sprain a year to have the structural integrity of their ankle evaluated.

Evaluation of the ankle usually involves and x-ray and a physical examination. In addition, I will often order and MRI to get a better appreciation of the structural components of the ankle. I like an MRI because one can see what the ligaments and tendons look like. This is extremely helpful for evaluation of what needs to be repaired for surgery and what the tissue consistency looks like for the repair.

The surgical procedure itself, or the repair, can be relatively straight forward as in just a ligament stabilization or more complex included bone work. The most common ankle procedure is the lateral ligament reconstruction or the Brostrum procedure. This is a great procedure for anybody with chronic ankle sprains. With this procedure there is a chance you may need the tendons repaired as well.

If you are experiencing frequent ankle sprains or have pain on the outside of the ankle I can help. Make an appointment today and we will get you back on the road to recovery. Give us a call at 425-391-8666. 

Bunions are large bony bumps at the base of the big toe. Medically known as hallux valgus, a bunion is a misalignment of the metatarsophalangeal joint, or big toe joint. The misalignment will generally worsen with time if left untreated.

The exact cause of bunions is unknown, with genetics seen as a potential cause. High heels and poorly-fitted footwear, rheumatoid arthritis, and heredity all seem to be potential factors behind the exacerbation of bunions. Women have been found to be more likely to develop bunions in comparison to men.

Bunions do not always produce symptoms. The best way to tell is if the big toe is pushing up against the next toe and there is a large protrusion at the base of the big toe. You may or may not feel pain. Redness, swelling, and restricted movement of the big toe may be present as well.

Podiatrists use a variety of methods to diagnose bunions. If there are symptoms present, podiatrists will first consider that it is a bunion. If not, a physical examination will be conducted to check function of the big toe. Finally, an X-ray may be taken to view the extent of the bunion and confirm it is a bunion.

Typically, nonsurgical methods are used to treat bunions, unless the bunion has become too misaligned. Orthotics, icing and resting the foot, roomier and better fitted shoes, taping the foot, and pain medication are usually utilized first. If the bunion doesn’t go away or causes extreme pain, surgery may be required. Surgeons will either remove part of the swollen tissue or bone to straighten the toe out.

If you have a bunion, it is recommended to see a podiatrist. The longer it is left untreated, the worse it may get. Podiatrists can properly diagnose and treat a bunion before it gets worse.

I try to let my patients know that I understand how scary or nervous it can feel to think about surgery. I think as surgeons sometimes we can forget that for us this is routine, however for the patient it can seem overwhelming. Bunion surgery itself is relatively straight forward and can provide great results. I have thought it could be helpful to have a few questions to ask your surgeon.

I think one of the most important questions to ask your surgeon is, “How many bunion surgeries you have done and how often you do them?”. I think most likely you are seeing a Podiatrist and we perform the most bunion surgeries out of any other specialty. I can tell you in residency alone I probably did over 500 and now into private practice for over 10 years I am sure the number is over 1000.

Another important question is, “What are some of the most common complications that occur?”. Every surgery has complications this is part of practicing medicine. The most important aspect of this is how they handle it and how quickly a surgeon responds to these. One of the most common is probably infection and this is rare, the literature state about 3% of all patients will experience this.

Additional question could include, “Why did you select this procedure?” There are numerous different bunion procedures and why we select a particular one is important. This is because they all have different correction abilities and time frames for healing. The majority of bunion procedures can be categorized as head or base procedures. Lastly, “What is my recovery time?”, be specific are you talking about back to exercising or just into a normal shoe.

I hope this was helpful, please feel free to schedule an appointment with me if you would like a consultation of second opinion. Give our office a call at 425-391-8666.

Diabetics must be wary of all wounds, regardless of depth or size. Diabetes, a chronic disease in which the body cannot properly use glucose the way it normally would, causes various complications that make wounds difficult to heal. Nerve damage or neuropathy will cause diabetics to have trouble feeling the pain of a blister or cut until the condition has significantly worsened or become infected. A diabetic’s weakened immune system can make even the most minor of wounds easily susceptible to infection. Diabetics are also more prone to developing narrow, clogged arteries, and are therefore more likely to develop wounds.

Wounds should be taken care of immediately after discovery, as even the smallest of wounds can become infected if enough bacteria build up within the wound.  To remove dirt, wounds should be first rinsed under running water only. Soap, hydrogen peroxide, or iodine can irritate the injury and should be avoided. To prevent infection, apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover it with a bandage. The bandage should be changed daily. The skin around the wound may be cleaned with soap.

To prevent further exacerbation, see a doctor—especially if you have diabetes. Minor skin conditions can become larger problems if not properly inspected. As the wound heals, make sure to avoid applying pressure to the affected area.