MGH Ankle & Foot is the area’s only ankle and foot clinic which offers diagnoses and treatment of foot and ankle issues along with diabetic foot care. Drs. John V. Rice and James A. Wright are board-certified podiatric surgeons who provide care in diabetes-related ankle and foot health, and reconstructive foot and ankle surgery.

The clinic is part of Public Hospital District No.1, which consists of Mason General Hospital, MGH Ankle & Foot, MGH Eye Clinic, MGH Family Health, MGH Shelton Orthopedics, MGH Surgery Clinic, Oakland Bay Pediatrics, Mountain View Women's Health, and Shelton Family Medicine.

To make an appointment at the MGH Ankle & Foot clinic, please call (360) 427-0366.

Meet our Doctors

Dr. Rice enjoys practicing in this area and having the opportunity to serve the people of this community. He takes special interest in patients of all ages, and believes that early treatment will help prevent further complications, especially with diabetic patients. He is a skilled surgeon in reconstruction of the ankle and foot, with special interests in trauma and all other ankle and foot problems. He is part of MGH&FC’s "Living Well with Diabetes" team of experts, and serves on the faculty as a Diabetes Educator. Dr. Rice is board-certified in podiatric surgery and reconstructive ankle and foot surgery. He completed his residency and internship at Waldo Residency Program, Fifth Avenue Medical Center, Seattle, WA; after receiving his Medical Degree from William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, Chicago, Illinois in 1987.

Dr. Wright also specializes in foot and ankle reconstructive surgery and trauma. He grew up in Olympia, Washington, attended Olympia High School and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Puget Sound in western Washington. Following college, Dr. Wright graduated with honors from the William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, where he received his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine in 1998. He completed his residency program with Legacy Health Systems, and Kaiser Permanente Hospitals in Portland, Oregon. He is part of MGH&FC’s "Living Well with Diabetes" team of experts, and serves on the faculty as a Diabetes Educator. Dr. Wright is board-certified in podiatric surgery and reconstructive ankle and foot surgery.

Foot Care is for All Ages

It’s normal for people to experience some foot problems as they age, but experts say that problems with the feet can be the first sign of more serious medical conditions. Health problems such as arthritis, diabetes, nerve issues, and circulatory disorders may first manifest in the feet. That’s why it is important to pay attention to your feet and seek medical attention as soon as you notice a problem.

Here are some foot care tips for older adults, recommended by the American Podiatric Medical Association:

• Practice good foot care. Check your feet regularly or have a member of your family check them for you.
• Keep blood circulating to your feet as much as possible. Do this by putting your feet up when you are sitting or lying down, stretching if you've had to sit for a long time, walking, having a gentle foot massage, or taking a warm foot bath.
• Wear comfortable shoes that fit well to prevent pressures that can lead to friction and infection, and keep your foot structure properly aligned.
• Avoid exposing your feet to cold temperatures.
• Don’t sit for long periods of time (especially with your legs crossed).
• Don’t smoke because it decreases blood supply and increases the chance of swelling and other circulatory problems.