CHI Franciscan - Highline

LOCAL CARPENTER STEVE EVANS knows how foot and ankle pain can keep you from enjoying an active life. In 1999, he was cutting down a tree while on the job when his safety line broke and he fell 27 feet. "I shattered my heel in six places," Steve said. "It took me almost eight months to learn to walk again, and I limped for many years. I used to be very active, including climbing Mount Rainier and Mount Adams with a friend, but we had to stop after the accident." In 2009, Steve learned he didn't have to be in pain. He met with Byron Hutchinson, DPM, medical director, Foot & Ankle Services, to learn about his options. SUCCESS FROM SURGERIES "Steve had never been treated surgically for his original injury," Dr. Hutchinson said. "In March 2010, we performed a fusion on his subtalar joint, located just below the ankle joint, along with a bone graft. We also repaired his heel bone and his ankle, which had completely collapsed." "I had more mobility than ever," Steve said. "However, about a year later, it started hurting again, and Dr. Hutchinson told me he felt I should try one more surgery—a full ankle replacement." A relatively new procedure, a total ankle replacement substituted synthetic parts for his joint, preserving his range of motion and improving movement. RECLAIMING LIFE After his replacement, Steve has a new lease on life. "I'm not at 100 percent, but I see light at the end of the tunnel," Steve said. "As long as my 8-year-old son has known me, I have used crutches or a cane, but I'm not using them anymore. I can't believe how far I've come." JUMP OUTSIDE with BOTH FEET You need full range of motion in your feet and ankles to hike, bike, trail run or even get in and out of a kayak comfortably. Stop the pain that's limiting your spring. BYRON HUTCHINSON, DPM Don't let foot and ankle pain keep you from enjoying an active life. Take the rst step by visiting chifranciscan.org/footpain. Steve Evans, a local carpenter, is back on his feet af ter exper t medical care helped him overcome severe heel and ankle injuries. FOCUS ON FEET If your foot or ankle is hurting, even the most simple of daily tasks can become a painful chore. Whether you are dealing with chronic foot or ankle pain or an acute joint injury, podiatrists can help you get back to an active life. "Staying on top of foot and ankle problems to make sure they don't become chronic issues is the best way to keep your body moving," says Craig Cliord, DPM, board-qualied podiatrist with Franciscan Foot & Ankle Associates. "In my practice, I give all the information you need to make an educated decision for your care, including exhausting conservative options prior to surgery." In Burien, the following qualied podiatrists are here to help: Franciscan Foot & Ankle Associates Christopher Bock, DPM • Craig Clifford, DPM • Byron Hutchinson, DPM (206) 242-6553 CHI FRANCISCAN HEALTH /// chifranciscan.org 10 CRAIG CLIFFORD, DPM CHRISTOPHER BOCK, DPM

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