Practice Specialties

Club Foot

Clubfoot ( talipes equinovarus) is a congenital malformation of the foot that may show up as early as 16 weeks during pregnancy. Historically, this condition has been treated unsuccessfully with various casting and surgical techniques. Dr Ponseti developed a specialized technique that is very successful in avoiding surgery and obtaining a most optimally functioning foot.

Dr Hatch has been trained in the Ponseti technique for clubfeet. He has directly visited Dr Ponseti at the University of Iowa to learn this form of conservative treatment of clubfoot. This usually requires a series of castings, followed by Achilles tenotomy which can be done in the office setting. Follow up bracing is very important for several years. This usually is in the form of a night abduction splint. For more information, please visit
Dr Ponseti's website.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy

ESWT - Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy is a procedure used to treat chronic heel pain (plantar fasciitis/heel spur syndrome). "Extracorporeal" means "outside of the body," and refers to this non-invasive surgical procedure in which strong sound waves are directed at the area of heel pain. The device used is similar to that currently used in non-surgical treatment of kidney stones.

Diabetic Wounds and Related Reconstruction

Doctor Hatch and Vaardahl have a special interest and additional training in diabetic foot and ankle wounds and their related reconstruction. They are members of the American Professional Wound Care Association. Both doctors are active at the wound center of North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley, Colorado. Emphasis is based upon limb salvage, reconstruction and prevention of diabetic related foot and ankle disorders.