3131 Nassau St, Suite 101
Everett, WA 98201
(425) 339-8888
Fax (425) 258-6933
Foot & Ankle Information Sites:
FootPhysicians.com: An excellent web site run by the American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons for patients. There are pod casts on various foot problems as well as other useful information. Dr. Mary Crawford will be the first female president of this organization in March 2009.
Clinical Practice Guidelines: From American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons on bunions, flatfoot, and diabetic foot. Technical language is used but treatment pathways are outlines and documents are well illustrated.
Textbook of Hallux Valgus and Forefoot Surgery: This is a 500 page textbook on foot surgery that is available on line on PDF files. This has technical language but can provide some useful insights to bunion and other forefoot surgery.
Local Shoe Store Resources:
Medical Supply:
Coming soon
Walking Trails:
Hospital Affiliations:
Local Lodging and Accomodations:
Swelling of the feet, ankles and legs, also known as edema, is often caused by an abnormal build-up of fluids in ankle and leg tissues. Painless swelling of the feet and ankles is a common problem, particularly in older people. It may affect both legs, including the calves and/or thighs. Because of gravity, swelling is particularly noticeable in the lower legs. Swelling in the legs and feet may also be a symptom of other, more serious health issues, such as heart failure, renal failure, or liver failure.
Common causes of foot, ankle, and leg edema include:
- Blood pressure-lowering drugs.
- Body fluid overload.
- Burns.
- Certain antidepressants.
- Congestive heart failure.
- Diagnostic tests.
- Environment.
- Estrogens and progestin oral contraceptives.
- Extremity surgery.
- Generalized allergy.
- Glomerulonephritis or other kinds of kidney disorders.
- Infiltration of an intravenous site.
- Injury or trauma to the ankle or foot.
- Insect bite or sting.
- Long airplane flights or automobile rides.
- Long-term corticosteroid therapy.
- Medical treatments.
- Medications.
- Menstrual periods (for some women).
- Pregnancy (mild to severe swelling).
- Prolonged standing.
- Starvation or malnutrition.
- Sunburn.
- Testosterone.
- Venogram.
- Venous insufficiency (varicose veins).
You can mitigate swelling by elevating your legs above the heart while lying down. Avoid sitting or standing without moving for prolonged periods of time. Avoid putting anything directly under the knees when lying down, and don't wear constricting clothing or garters on the upper legs.
Exercising the legs causes the fluid to work back into the veins and lymphatic channels so that the swelling goes down. Mild pressure applied by elastic bandages or support stockings can help reduce ankle swelling. A low-salt diet may also help reduce fluid retention and decrease the ankle swelling.