One example of abnormal gait in children is toe walking, or equinus.  We consider the angle of the ankle joint bringing the foot up, called dorsiflexion, with the subtalar joint, the joint below the ankle joint, at a neutral position. The expected value at birth is 75 degrees of dorsiflexion with no functional limitations. As … Read more

Walking from Chicago Health SMB Brands on Vimeo. Circulation is very important for healing of the feet from surgery or wounds.  It is the most important vital sign of the foot.  Smoking is the number one enemy of good circulation in the foot, and walking is the number one friend.  During every visit, Dr. Hoy … Read more

 Hammertoes are curved toes that may be straighten out or not.  They can be painful and develop corns or calluses.  Hammertoes that occur suddenly, over the course of a few days or weeks, with pain on the bottom of the foot could be a different condition altogether, a plantar plate tear, and needs to … Read more

Up to 85 percent of ankle sprains are caused by the foot turning inward.  More than just the ligaments are harmed in an ankle sprain.  Bones, joints and their capsules, muscles and tendons, and nerves can be injured.  The latter can result in numbness, tingling, burning, radiating/shooting pain, cramping, weakness or motor function deficits.  Fifteen … Read more

Having seen a wide variety of patients of different ages, occupations, activities since 2000, foot and ankle Dr. Hoy in Seattle has one suggestion to minimize foot pain. The single most important treatment for foot pain is to wear a good quality, supportive shoe. Oftentimes, people choose shoes for the style and look.  However, to … Read more

What are Sweaty Feet? Excessive sweating of the feet is called hyperhidrosis. It’s more common in men than in women, and more common in young adults than older adults. People whose feet sweat excessively often also have problems with excessive sweating of the palms. According to the International Hyperhidrosis Society, 3 percent of the population suffers … Read more

What is Psoriasis? Psoriasis is a skin condition caused by faster-than-normal turnover of skin cells. Normally, new skin cells rise to the surface of the skin once a month; the old surface skin cells die and slough off while the new cells are moving to the surface. In people who have psoriasis, the new cells … Read more

What Is High Blood Pressure? High blood pressure is also known as hypertension. Hypertension occurs when your blood pressure rises and stays above normal over a period of time. Hypertension is often related to atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in blood vessels, often associated with an increase in your “bad” cholesterol. This condition … Read more

What are Arterial Ulcers? Arterial ulcers are ulcers that appear on the foot, heel or ankle because the body cannot deliver nutrient-rich blood to that area. When the skin area of the foot, heel or ankle is deprived of proper blood flow, it kills the tissue and thus an open ulcer develops. This lack of … Read more

What are Pressure Ulcers? Left untreated, pressure ulcers can cause infection of the blood known as sepsis, infection of the bone, infection in the joints and even death. Based upon a thorough examination, Dr. Hoy can advise the best course in treating a pressure ulcer. Using advanced medical techniques, Dr. Hoy has the expertise and experience … Read more