Our Philosophy on Surgical Care

The No. 1 goal of every physician in our practice is to get you better and keep you better, using effective treatments that make sense for your needs and goals. Whenever possible, we use non-surgical treatments to achieve this. This is why we’ve invested a great deal in advanced conservative therapies such as custom orthotics, shockwave, injection therapies, and regenerative medicine. We want surgery to be a last resort, rather than a first choice.Surgeon handing over surgical equipment to another surgeon

However, certain conditions or cases may require more intervention. In these situations, if you want the best long-term outcome, you should look for a surgical team that:

  • … is highly skilled and up-to-date on the latest research, procedures, and tools.
  • … takes time to really listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and discuss your long-term goals—then develop a surgical plan with these in mind.
  • … fully explains and educates you about your options, what to expect, and how to take care of yourself before and after surgery.

That is what you can expect from each and every doctor at Northwest Extremity Specialists. Our experienced physicians offer advanced training in procedures ranging from complex reconstructive surgeries to minimally invasive (arthroscopic techniques). Combined with careful attention and compassion, we put those skills to work for you in order to get you better, faster, more safely.

Conditions That May Require Surgery

The conditions below represent many of the common conditions that may be treated surgically by our physicians. Please note that this is not a complete list, and that many of these conditions may be treated (or at least managed) through non-surgical means as well. In such cases, surgery will only be chosen if conservative treatments have been ruled out or shown to be ineffective.

  • Achilles tendon rupture
  • Ankle fractures
  • Bunions
  • Congenital deformities (clubfoot, webbed toes, extra toes, etc.)
  • Charcot foot
  • Degenerative arthritis
  • Diabetic limb salvage / foot reconstruction
  • Flat feet / collapsed arches
  • Foot fractures
  • Hammertoes
  • Heel spurs
  • High arches / cavus foot
  • Neuromas
  • Toe spurs
  • Traumatic injuries

Many other conditions, such as plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinitis, do not typically require surgery to make a full recovery. Even very stubborn or severe injuries usually respond well to advanced, non-invasive regenerative therapies like shockwave therapy. However, surgery may occasionally be considered in extreme cases.

Resolve Your Pain as Quickly and Simply as Possible

The longer you wait before seeing a physician, the more likely your condition will require surgery. At the first sign of trouble, contact Northwest Extremity Specialists. We pride ourselves on being able to deliver comprehensive care with multiple treatment options throughout every stage—and the earlier you seek help, the greater the number of effective options available to you.

To schedule an appointment at one of our locations, please contact the office closest to you.