Bellevue Podiatrist

I am pleased to welcome Dr. Pauline Arnill-Haugen of Higher Health Chiropractic, who will be joining our Bellevue office on May 1.  Dr. Arnill-Haugen is a former national-level cross-country runner who was most recently in private practice in Denver, Colorado.  Her focus on total body health and sports rehabilitation will be a great complement to Bellevue Podiatry.

According to the May issue of Prevention magazine, Seattle is ranked the 7th best walking city in America!  This annual study is conducted  in cooperation with the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), looking at various criteria such as number of trails, parks, mass transit, and other key factors which enhance the “walkability” of a city.  Although San Francisco was ranked #1, here are some reasons why I think Seattle is tops:

1.  Even on the darkest, rainiest days of winter, outdoor athletes of all ages can be seen running, walking, and biking to work.  And, no umbrellas!

2.  Seattle is an annual host to the Susan G. Komen 3-day walk for breast cancer.  Walking 60 miles in 3 days is an amazing way to tour our great city.

3.  Swedish Medical Center is home to one of the top Podiatric Residency Programs in the country, with many of its graduates currently practicing in the greater Seattle area.  With access to such excellent foot and ankle care, we can prevent and treat any injury in order to keep walking.

4.  Where else can you pass five Starbucks on your morning walk, giving you ample opportunity to refuel whenever necessary?  Heck, you can even find an espresso hut while trail hiking in the middle of nowhere.

5.  One of the best mass transit systems in the country….hmm…well,  maybe that’s why we’re #7!

According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, April is national “Foot Health Awareness Month,” a great time to pay extra attention to one of the most important body parts-  your feet!  Having painful or injured feet can affect other areas of your body, such as your knees, hips, and back, making it difficult to properly carry out your daily activities.   

This year’s focus is on heel pain, suffered by a reported 40% of the American population, according to a recent survey by the APMA, and probably one of the more common ailments that brings patients into my office.  The majority of them have pain due to an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a large arch-supporting ligament on the bottom of the foot, but it can also be a nerve problem, tendonitis, or even a stress fracture.  A thorough evaluation, sometimes including Xrays, is the best way to have an accurate diagnosis and focused treatment plan.

Initial treatment for plantar fasciitis includes wearing shoes with good arch support and sometimes orthotics, stretching, icing, and anti-inflammatory medication.  A night splint can be very helpful in providing a gentle stretch while you sleep, allowing for proper healing of the fascia and reduction of pain.  Within 2-3 nights of use, I hear from patients that their morning tenderness, as well as general pain throughout the day, have improved significantly.  It’s an easy, non-invasive way to address the inflammation.

It is rare that plantar fasciitis does not respond to non-surgical measures, but surgery may be necessary in some situations where all conservative measures have failed.  I see this more in patients who have had heel pain, to some degree, for many years before seeking treatment.  Chronic inflammation of the fascia causes it to become thickened and more difficult to treat.  If you have recently started having heel pain, try better stretching, ice, and reducing activity for a couple of weeks.  If it does not improve, seek professional help.