Craig Clifford

DPM, MHA, FACFAS, FACPM

board certified in podiatric medicine

board certified in Foot Surgery, Reconstructive Rearfoot Surgery, and Ankle Surgery

...

CRAIG CLIFFORD, DPM, MHA, FACFAS, FACPM

Dr. Clifford completed his podiatric medical and surgical residency training at the Franciscan Foot and Ankle Institute, in Federal Way, WA. After residency he served as the Director of Research, and went on to become the Director of Residency Training with the Franciscan Foot and Ankle Institute. While teaching, he was honored to be awarded Clinician of the Year, Instructor of the Year, and Outstanding Teaching Award over multiple years. Dr. Clifford was also the recipient of the Washington State Podiatric Medical Association Physician of the Year Award in 2020.

After over a decade of performing, teaching, and developing new surgical techniques, Dr. Clifford has seen firsthand that most foot and ankle surgery can be avoided with appropriate conservative care. In 2022 he left his successful surgical practice with the goal of providing patients with better access to cutting edge conservative care.

Dr. Clifford currently practices at Northwest Foot & Ankle Center, with locations in Silverdale and Puyallup, Washington. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, and Board Certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. He is on the Board of Directors for the International Foot and Ankle Foundation, and has served on Peer Review and Editorial Boards of multiple medical journals. He is actively involved with the Yucatan Children’s Project, where he volunteers his time and skills to perform deformity correction surgeries on underserved children in Mexico.


Credentials

Education

  • Podiatric Medicine & Surgery Residency
    • Franciscan Foot & Ankle Institute
  • Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
    • Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
  • Master of Healthcare Administration
    • Des Moines University College of Health Sciences

Affiliations

  • Board of Directors - International Foot & Ankle Foundation
  • Attending Surgeon - Yucatán Children's Project
  • Fellow - American College of Podiatric Medicine
  • Fellow - American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
  • Active Member - American Podiatric Medical Association
  • Active Member - Washington State Podiatric Medical Association

License & Certifications

  • Podiatric Physician and Surgeon License - Washington State
  • Board Certified in Foot Surgery, Reconstructive Rearfoot, and Ankle Surgery
    • American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery
  • Board Certified in Podiatric Medicine
    • American Board of Podiatric Medicine

Awards

  • Clinician of the Year · 2021 · Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
  • Outstanding Teaching Award · 2020 · International Foot & Ankle Foundation
  • Physician of the Year · 2020 · Washington State Podiatric Medical Association
  • Instructor of the Year · 2019 · Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
  • Clinician of the Year · 2018 · Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
  • Clinician of the Year · 2017 · Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
  • Clinician of the Year · 2015 · Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
  • Outstanding Teaching Award · 2015 · International Foot & Ankle Foundation
  • Clinician of the Year · 2014 · Virginia Mason Franciscan Health

Services

Conditions Treated

  • Achilles Tendinitis
  • Ankle Instability
  • Ankle Arthritis
  • Arthritis
  • Big Toe Joint Pain
  • Bunions
  • Children’s Foot Care
  • Corns / Calluses
  • Deformed Toenails
  • Diabetes
  • Flat Feet
  • Foot Deformity
  • Fractures
  • Fungus
  • Hammertoes
  • Heel Pain
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Injuries
  • Midfoot Pain
  • Neuromas
  • Nerve Pain
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Posterior Tibial Tendinitis
  • Skin Conditions
  • Skin Lesions / Moles
  • Stress Fractures
  • Tendonitis
  • Tarsal Tunnel
  • Ulcers / Wounds
  • Warts

Services Offered

  • In-Office X-Rays
  • Diagnostic Ultrasound
  • Biomechanical Exams
  • Toenail Removal
  • Cortisone/Steroid Injections
  • Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections
  • 3D Printed Orthotics
  • Shockwave Therapy
  • Musculoskeletal Laser Therapy
  • Fungal Laser Therapy
  • Swift Microwave Wart Therapy
  • Minimally Invasive Surgery

Publications & Research

Publications

  • Drogomiretskiy O, Rockhill S, Reber T, Hutchinson B, Clifford C. Distraction osteogenesis for treatment of iatrogenic shortening of the first ray. J Int Foot Ankle. 1(9): 2022.
  • Drogomiretskiy O, Hjelm L, Millonig K, Brown J, Clifford C, Chappell TM. Initial surgical outcomes of two modified minimally invasive repair techniques for acute achilles tendon rupture. The Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery: 2022;2(4):2667-3967.
  • Drogomiretskiy O, Yearian C, Clifford C. First metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis with dual plating: A clinical retrospective review. Foot & Ankle Surgery: Techniques, Reports & Cases. S2667-3967(22)00093-3, 2022.
  • Reber T, Hjelm L, Schweitzer M, Clifford C. Distraction osteogenesis for treatment of a shortened first metatarsal after failed first metatarsophalangeal joint arthroplasty. Foot Ankle Online J. 13(3): 9, 2020.
  • Kamery A, Clifford C. Intramedullary fixation of distal fibular fractures in a geriatric patient: A case report. Foot Ankle Online J. 11(3): 1, 2018.
  • Clifford C, Oexeman S, Millonig K. When hammertoe surgery fails. Podiatry Today. 31(10): 2018. 28-34.
  • Samchukov ML, Clifford CE, McCann KM, Cherkashin AM, Hutchinson B, Pierce WA. Biomechanical considerations in foot and ankle circular external fixation: Maintenance of wire tension. Clin Podiatr Med Surg. 2018 Oct;35(4):443-455.
  • Chappell T, Clifford C, Hutchinson B, Dockery G. Our unique position to serve those in need. Podiatry Management. Oct 2016.
  • Clifford C. Hammertoe Fixation And Cost-Effectiveness: What Are The Best Options? Podiatry Today. 29(1): 2016. 40-46.
  • Clifford C, Berg S, Mccann K, Hutchinson B. A biomechanical comparison of internal fixation techniques for ankle arthrodesis. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2015;54(2):188-91.
  • Wilder M, Ebert C, Clifford C. Diagnostic work-up of early rheumatoid arthritis in the foot and ankle patient. Foot Ankle Online J. 7(1): 6, 2014.
  • Clifford C. Understand the biomechanics of equinus. Podiatry Today. 27(9): 2014. 38-44.
  • Rodriguez E, Hutchinson B, Clifford C, McCann K. Arthrodiatasis in the Treatment of Ankle Arthritis: A Case Series. Foot Ankle Online J. 5(7): 2, 2012.
  • Clifford C, McCann K. Technique for single-graft lateral ankle stabilization: A cadaveric biomechanical study. Foot Ankle Online J. 4(7): 3, 2011.
  • McCann K, Clifford C, Salton H. Aneurysmal bone cyst presenting in soft tissue: A case report. Foot Ankle Online J. 4(6): 1, 2011.

Other Research

  • Drogomiretskiy O, Yearian C, Clifford C. Minimally invasive surgical correction for midfoot charcot arthropathy: A clinical retrospective review. ACFAS 2022 Annual Scientific Conference.
  • Drogomiretskiy O, Millonig K, Yearian C, Clifford C. First metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis with dual plating: A clinical retrospective review. ACFAS 2020 Annual Scientific Conference.
  • Oexeman S, Millonig K, Ward K, Clifford C. Fibula Osteotomy with interpositional bone graft and intramedullary rod fixation for malunited fibula. ACFAS 2019 Annual Scientific Conference.
  • Millonig K, Oexeman S, Clifford C. Percutaneous repair of Achilles tendon rupture with calcaneal anchors. ACFAS 2019 Annual Scientific Conference.
  • Oexeman S, Schweitzer M, Clifford C. Staged treatment of a plantar midfoot ulceration with use of a hemisoleus muscle flap, application of external fixation and split thickness skin graft. ACFAS 2018 Annual Scientific Conference.
  • Kamery A, Ward K, Kimawi A, Clifford C. Intramedullary fixation of distal fibular fractures in the geriatric patient: A case report. ACFAS 2017 Annual Scientific Conference.
  • Rossiter C, Clifford C. Abductor muscle flap for chronic wound healing. ACFAS 2016 Annual Scientific Conference.
  • Ebert C, Clifford C, Chappell T. The relationship of first metatarsal frontal plane position and first metatarsophalangeal joint range of motion with simulated first tarsometatarsal joint arthrodesis: A biomechanical investigation. ACFAS 2016 Scientific Conference.
  • Clifford C, McCann K, Bouche R. Free-graft deltoid ligament reconstruction: A biomechanical study. ACFAS 2012 Scientific Conference.
  • Clifford C, McCann K, Salton H. Technique for single-graft lateral ankle stabilization: A cadaveric biomechanical study. ACFAS 2011 Scientific Conference.
  • McCann K, Clifford C, Salton H. Aneurysmal bone cyst presenting in soft tissue: a case report. ACFAS 2011 Scientific Conference.
  • McCann K, Clifford C, Leonheart E, Salton H. Case of pseudoarthrosis due to foreign body reaction to bone wax. ACFAS 2010 Scientific Conference.

NORTHWEST FOOT & ANKLE CENTER

Silverdale

  • 9399 Ridgetop Blvd NW, Suite 102

    Silverdale, WA 98383

  • (360) 900-2626
  • (360) 900-2088

Puyallup

  • 11212 Sunrise Blvd. E. Suite 203

    Puyallup, WA 98374

  • (253) 841-4262
  • (253) 841-7112