Bellevue Podiatrist

After welcoming Dr. Pauline Haugen of Higher Health Chiropractic last month, our Bellevue office underwent some exciting remodelling.  This created two new treatment rooms to better serve our patients, as well as updating the overall look and feel of our space.  We are currently looking for another physician to share these two extra rooms, and look forward to the collaborative environment that this will foster, further improving patient care and service. 

For interested physicians or other medical providers, please feel free to contact either myself at (425) 450-0565, or Dr. Haugen at (425) 454-0199.

Best Wishes, Dr. Jennifer Saam

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.

Many times it can be difficult to determine if your injury requires a visit to a podiatrist.  There are common misconceptions about which can be successfully treated on your own with remedies such as ice, rest, and immobilization, and which need to be professionally evaluated.  Please visit a great article by the American Podiatric Medical Association regarding this topic.  Preventing long-term problems resulting from acute injuries is the goal, so remember…when in doubt, get it checked out!

Toenail fungus, aka onychomycosis, is a common problem.  I personally have many patients who have this condition, and generally it is more of a cosmetic concern, but for others, such as diabetics or those with impaired immune systems, it can lead to more serious issues.

The most effective treatment option currently available is an oral anti-fungal pill which carries with it a small risk of liver damage, making this potentially a poor option in patients with multiple medical problems or those not willing to accept this risk.

An interesting treatment option that has been making headlines is using laser therapy to eradicate the fungus.  Although there appear to be only two companies manufacturing a device for this use, neither of which is FDA-approved for use on nails, I find it promising and hope that the technology develops and becomes a cost-effective option for more individuals.

Check out an article published yesterday on nytimes.com for more information, “False Start on a Laser Remedy for Fungus“.

A common question that I get asked is, “Should I have surgery on my bunion?”  And, the short answer is always, “It depends…” followed by a more thorough exam and work-up including X-rays and a biomechanical evaluation. 

The truth is, not every bunion needs surgery.  Many patients can be completely comfortable with better shoe choices and possibly orthotic therapy to control the mechanical forces, which are primarily genetic, contributing to the formation of a bunion.  I must say that I have a few patients in their 80’s with what I would classify as a “severe” bunion, who have never had any pain.  Their shoe choices are limited, but they are not in pain.

If you feel that you have tried some of the non-surgical options such as shoegear changes, orthotics, and limiting or modifying activity, and have not had success, then I think it is reasonable to pursue a surgical solution for more definitive treatment.  Certain bunion surgical procedures permit weight-bearing shortly after surgery, and others may require 6 or more weeks of no weight on the foot, necessitating crutches or a walker.  It is also critical to evaluate the entire foot, ankle, and leg to determine if there are any other biomechanical issues which are contributing to the formation of the bunion which need to be addressed.  The key to a successful result hinges on choosing the proper procedure or procedures, as well as your ability to follow the recommended post-surgical plan.

Good luck!

I have just come home from a special event at Shoes-n-Feet Bellevue, where I was invited, along with several podiatrists from the Eastside, to a sneak preview of the latest and greatest Spring shoes from Saucony. 

After an informative presentation from the respected athletic shoe company, I was able to test-drive several pair, and even came home with some new running shoes (how can you resist??).  The model that worked best for my foot type was the ”Progrid Guide”, but I was also contemplating the “Omni”, one of their most successful and popular stability models.

By having the chance to handle, test, and run in these great shoes, I feel even more confident recommending them to patients, specifically when guidance is needed regarding the model which might work for their foot structure.  Thank you, Saucony and Shoes-n-Feet!

I am pleased to share that as of March 1, I am the new owner of Bellevue Podiatry!  After four great years as an associate in our office, I have purchased the practice and will be working as a solo practitioner.   This is a very exciting time as I jump in “feet first”, so to speak, as a small business owner, with all the rewards and challenges that this will bring.  Please look forward to updates on the new practice as well as continued coverage of all the latest in healthy foot care and podiatric issues.  Best wishes, Dr. Jennifer Saam.

If you’re like me, the gradual return to warmer weather (and less rain!) means heading outside more frequently for exercise.  After back-to-back runs this past Saturday and Sunday, my feet are in need of a rest…and probably a new pair of running shoes.  My current pair of Asics, after over 500 miles, are ready for retirement.  You can estimate that any quality pair can last between 300 and 500 miles, depending on body weight and running surface.  Although there are many excellent brands, such as Asics, New Balance, and Saucony, which shoe and model is right for you really depends on your foot type.  Features to look for include stability in the arch and a firm heel counter.  With my patients, I generally give a few recommendations, and then send them to a specialty shoe store for a test drive.  A good store will let you run around inside and outside before purchasing.  For Seattle and the Eastside, check out:

Seattle Running Company http://seattlerunningcompany.com/

Sound Sports http://soundsports.com/

Foot Zone http://www.footzone.com/

Super Jock and Jill http://www.superjocknjill.com/

Another great resource is Runner’s World magazine’s quarterly shoe review, with all the latest models tested by their staff, broken down by category and foot type.  They even award titles like, “Best Buy”, and “Best Update”.

Spring 2009 Running Shoe Guide : http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-240-400–13047-0,00.html