Take the first step to better foot health
If you're having foot or ankle pain, our expert podiatry team is here with care options to help you get back on your feet.
You can find both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options at multiple clinic locations across the Puget Sound region. Whether you're experiencing foot diseases or injuries affecting the lower limbs, our board-certified foot and ankle doctors can care for you.
With extensive training and advanced specialization in foot and ankle health, our podiatrists diagnose, treat and help prevent a wide range of issues. They also work closely with your primary care doctor and other specialists to provide complete, expert care.
Our podiatry services
You'll find a wide range of treatments to ensure you receive the best possible care, including:
- Corrective surgeries
- Medical therapies
- Orthotics (custom-made shoe inserts)
Foot and ankle conditions we treat
You can count on us to provide complete care for:
- Achilles ruptures
- Ankle fractures
- Ankle sprains
- Arthritis
- Bunion (a bump that forms in the joint or the place where two bones come together at the base of the big toe)
- Diabetic wounds
- Flat feet
- Foreign bodies to the foot
- Fractures
- Hammer toe (a toe that is bent in the middle and curls down instead of pointing normally)
- Heel pain/arch pain
- Ingrown toenails
- Joint pain
- Lacerations
- Mole removal
- Neuromas
- Plantar fasciitis (a band of tissue along the bottom of the foot that becomes inflamed)
- Tendonitis
- Toe fractures
- Toe walking in children
- Ulcer (open sore) care
- Walking (gait) disorders
- Warts
Podiatry FAQ
Tinea pedis, commonly known as athlete’s foot, is a very common condition caused by fungus growing between the toes or on the feet. It can cause discomfort but is usually easy to treat.
- Common symptoms: Itching, burning, peeling skin between toes
- Treatment: Antifungal creams or sprays, keeping feet dry, avoiding being barefoot in public areas
These are different types of bumps, swellings or hardening of the skin of the feet or toes that can cause pain or discomfort while walking.
Bunions
- Common symptoms: A bony bump at the base of the big toe, often accompanied by pain or swelling
- Treatment: Proper footwear, pads, orthotics, surgery in severe cases
Calluses and corns
- Common symptoms: Thick, hardened skin on the toes or soles that can be painful
- Treatment: Padding, proper footwear, debridement by a podiatrist
Diabetes can have a serious impact on foot health, often leading to complications that may result in ulcers, infections or even amputation if left untreated.
Diabetes affects the feet due to:
- Foot ulcers
- Nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy)
- Poor circulation (peripheral arterial disease)
- Skin and nail changes
- Structural changes
Here are some tips to help keep your feet healthy:
- Check your feet daily for cuts, blisters, swelling or color changes.
- Control blood sugar levels to prevent or slow nerve and vessel damage.
- Never go barefoot, even indoors.
- See a podiatrist regularly, especially if you’ve had foot issues before.
- Trim toenails carefully or have a podiatrist do it.
- Wash and moisturize your feet daily (but not between the toes).
- Wear properly fitted shoes and consider diabetic footwear
Diabetic neuropathy is a term meaning nerve damage caused by diabetes. It can affect many parts of the body, including the feet, ankles and legs.
- Common symptoms: Numbness, tingling, pain, ulcers, slow healing
- Treatment: Blood sugar control, regular foot exams, wound care, protective footwear
To reduce swelling, podiatrists recommend a combination of home remedies, lifestyle changes and medical care depending on the cause and severity.
Here are some recommendations:
- Apply cold therapy.
- Cut back on salt in your diet.
- Do regular gentle exercise.
- Eat a magnesium-rich diet.
- Elevate your feet.
- Get regular foot massages.
- Stay hydrated.
- Wear compression socks.
A foot ulcer is an open sore that develops on the bottom of the foot or toes. It’s especially common in people with diabetes due to complications like neuropathy (nerve damage) and poor circulation, which slow down healing and reduce the ability to feel injuries.
How long it takes for foot ulcers to heal depends on severity, infection and treatment:
- Mild ulcers: 2-4 weeks with proper care
- Moderate to severe ulcers: Several months
- Chronic or infected ulcers: A year or more to heal, or may require surgery
Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are two common causes of foot pain. While the symptoms can be similar, they are two separate conditions and require the correct diagnosis and treatment.
Heel spurs
- Common symptoms: Heel pain, especially with walking or standing
- Treatment: Rest, ice, orthotics, corticosteroid injections, surgery if needed
Plantar fasciitis
- Common symptoms: Sharp heel pain, especially in the morning or after rest
- Treatment: Stretching, orthotics, night splints, NSAIDs, physical therapy
The right footwear is important, especially for those with:
- Bunions
- Flat feet
- Neuropathy
- Plantar fasciitis
Check with your podiatrist to see what kind of footwear is right for you. Look for brands that have arch support, cushioning and foot alignment.
Insurance coverage options and support
See which insurance plans are accepted and find further assistance.
Accepted insurance plans in Everett & Eastside
The insurance plans we accept depend on the location of the office where you receive care. Explore the accepted insurance plans for Optum Care Washington locations in Everett and Eastside.
Accepted insurance plans in Seattle & Tacoma
The insurance plans we accept depend on the location of the office where you receive care. Explore the accepted insurance plans for Optum Care Washington locations in Seattle and Tacoma.
Patient help
Need assistance or have questions? We'll help you find what you're looking for.
Helpful resources
Article
Tips for preventing and treating the top causes of foot pain
Aching, throbbing and swelling in your feet could be a sign of certain medical conditions that can worsen foot pain.
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Dehydration symptoms: How to spot the signs of dehydration
Not getting enough fluids can cause you to lose focus or make you more tired. Even slight dehydration can lead to serious health issues.
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How to stop prediabetes: 5 steps to help
You may be able to reverse prediabetes by changing some daily habits like exercising more often and eating a balanced diet.
*Podiatry services vary by location. Check with your doctor’s office or health plan for specific information.
Optum Care Washington and The Polyclinic d/b/a Optum Care Washington (the “Practices”) are both physician owned and led practices having complete authority for all medical decision-making and patient care through their physicians and other licensed professionals. Optum, through its management organizations (“Optum”) provides non-clinical administrative services to support the Practices and their physicians. Neither Optum nor its management companies employs, engages, or supervises physicians or other licensed professionals, or determines or sets the methods, standards, or conduct of the practice of medicine or exercise of medical judgment or health care provided by the Practices or by any of their licensed professionals. “Part of Optum” reflects that the practices are part of Optum’s effort to support forward-thinking physician practices in helping their patients live healthier lives.