Clinical

Recurring foot pain can be frustrating. You rest, change your shoes, try an insole, or stop exercising for a while—and the pain improves. Then you return to your normal routine and it comes back. That pattern is important. Foot pain that repeatedly returns may be related to mechanical stress, a structural problem, or nerve irritation. … Read more

Foot and ankle pain does not always require immediate medical attention—but persistent or recurring pain deserves more than repeated rest and hoping it goes away. A mild ache after an unusually long walk may improve with a short period of reduced activity. But pain that keeps returning, worsens with normal activity, or begins affecting how … Read more

A wound that closes is an important milestone—but it does not always mean the underlying problem has been solved. For patients with diabetic foot wounds, neuropathy, circulation problems, or complex foot deformities, closing the skin is only one part of the larger goal: preserving a functional limb. Limb preservation requires looking beyond the wound itself. … Read more

You’ve tried resting your foot. You’ve changed shoes. You’ve stretched, iced, and hoped the pain would eventually go away. Sometimes it does. But when foot pain keeps returning or never fully improves, it may be a sign that the underlying cause has not been identified. For many Seattle patients—whether runners navigating hills, professionals standing all … Read more

When Heel Pain Requires Surgery Most heel pain does not require surgery. In fact, approximately 90% of patients with plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, Achilles tendon disorders, and other common causes of heel pain improve with a combination of activity modification, stretching, supportive footwear, orthotics, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory treatment, or other conservative therapies. However, if heel … Read more

A healed diabetic foot ulcer is an important milestone—but it is not the end of the problem. Many people believe that once a diabetic foot ulcer closes, the foot has returned to normal. Unfortunately, that is rarely the case. A healed ulcer remains one of the strongest predictors of another ulcer, making lifelong prevention and … Read more

A diabetic foot wound can become serious quickly. Small cuts, pressure sores, or skin breakdown can progress into infection, bone involvement, or hospitalization if not treated early. At Seattle Foot & Ankle Center, Dr. J. John Hoy provides early diabetic foot evaluation, wound care, offloading, and limb preservation treatment. Why Early Foot Specialist Care Matters … Read more

Not all foot fractures need surgery—but many need early diagnosis and proper management. In Seattle, foot fractures are often first seen in urgent care and referred elsewhere. But many fractures of the foot are routinely diagnosed and treated by podiatrists. At Seattle Foot & Ankle Center, Dr. J. John Hoy evaluates and treats many types … Read more

Physical therapy is often recommended for foot pain, especially for conditions like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendon pain, and overuse injuries. In many cases, therapy can be helpful. But not every foot problem should begin with rehabilitation. Some foot pain needs a diagnosis first. At Seattle Foot & Ankle Center, Dr. J. John Hoy provides diagnostic … Read more

Foot and ankle problems do not always fit neatly into a single specialty. Heel pain may involve tendon, fascia, joint, nerve, or mechanical factors. A diabetic wound may involve pressure, neuropathy, infection, and vascular disease simultaneously. An injury described as a “sprain” may actually be a fracture or another structural injury. Yet patients are often … Read more