I have been seeing Dr. Klingenstein for ingrown toenails on both feet and hammertoes on one foot. Both conditions were extremely painful, with severe swelling. It was so painful that I was scared to go to doctor for a year because I couldn't bear the thought of injections in a toe that was raging in pain. The only shoes I could wear were sandals, which was difficult in the winter when the snow starts piling up! I finally could barely walk because of of the pain so made the appointment. Dr. Klingenstein was very caring and addressed my concerns in detail and that the technique she used to remove ingrown toenails would be very minimally painful. I was very relieved to find that everything she told me was correct, and I felt no pain at all from the injection or the surgical removal of the ingrown nail. I am now dealing with the hammertoe, which is very painful and inflamed. She again discussed in detail my options which included a steroid injection into the joint. Again, her technique in giving the injection resulted in no pain. The result has been significant--by that evening the swelling was almost gone and the pain was reduced to almost nothing. My condition may require surgery, and I will not hesitate to allow Dr. Klingenstein to perform it when the time comes. read more

I struggled with issues with both feet - bunion on one foot, and plantar fasciitis in both feet. Dr. Klingenstein took excellent care of me. I had to have surgery for the bunion and also had an endoscopic plantar fasciotomy on one foot. She did both surgeries, and the results were excellent for me. I am now pain free in both feet and am able to do all the activities I used to do. I highly recommend Dr. Kingenstein and her team, they treated me very well. The office folks were very friendly, helpful and efficient. read more

I am extremely disappointed in the patient/customer service here at Alliance! We had an appointment on Nov 30th 2018 and we had a very large earthquake so the appointment was delayed (no problem in that at ALL) but it's the series of events that happened after that that is disappointing. We called the day of to confirm the appointment and there was no answer, again that is understandable! But we left a message and no return call so we called back the next day; still no response AGAIN maybe closed for the earthquake AGAIN no issue there. This has gone on now for 19 days! We call,leave a message during business hours and get absolutely zero response. I finally got them on the phone and they said "oh you must have called during lunch we don't usually return phone calls"!!! Seriously?! This is no way to treat patients! read more

I took my daughter, K., to get a second opinion on a foot fracture. Dr. Klingenstein conducted an MRI, diagnosed the problem, recommended pain management, physical therapy and surgery as a last result. I asked if K. could attend PT near my home, where my wife was going. She referred her to Select Physical Therapy because "She knows the people over there and they do a good job." After waiting 1.5 weeks, I called their office to ask about the status of the referral. One of the receptionists stated that "Select PT must have forgotten to call me, she'd have them call me right away" The day before my daughter's PT appointment, she received a call that "she'd have to pay $360 out of pocket, because she had a problem with her insurance." I called Tricare, there was no problem. I called Select PT again, and they apologized for an error on their part. The next week, she went to PT, we paid the $35 co-pay, K. was given a printout of exercises and was told if she wanted additional sessions, they would be virtual. But there were other (masked) people being seen in their office. She didn't return. Regarding pain management, I asked Dr. Klingenstein if she could refer K to Alaska Spine and Pain, where my friend works. Again after about 1.5 weeks, I still hadn't been contacted. I called Alliance again to check the status and was told by a receptionist, "A referral wasn't submitted, because Alaska Spine and Pain also did chiropractic care." This made no sense to me, so I called Tricare to verify that my daughter could actually go to a place of our choosing , as long as it was covered in network. Tricare verified that I could take her to AK Spine and Pain. A few days later , I went to the Alliance office to speak with Dr. Klingenstein. She didn't meet with me in person, but communicated from behind a wall with one of her receptionists, who told me again, that she couldn't give K a referral to AK Spine and pain. I took my daughter's medical records and told her that we wouldn't be returning. Later that week, I met a lady and over the course of conversation, was told that she left Alliance Foot & Ankle because of the lack of patient care and confusion in the office. One week later, I received a letter in the mail Fromm Dr. Klingenstein, stating that she wanted to schedule K for surgery!!! I'm not sure what's going on in this office, because I'd DEFINITELY GO ANYWHERE ELSE !!! read more

What a waste of my time and money for a visit that inevitably ended up costing me several missed days of work and the price of getting a second opinion. Oh yes, and don't forget all of the lost time I spent in pain after Alliances 'diagnosis' that ended up being wrong. I was referred by my primary Dr (who is fabulous by the way) because I had an on going pain on the left side of my right heel. It was super painful first thing in the morning, would be less painful for a bit of time after I had been up, and then would go back to being constantly painful throughout the day and into the night. It was not the bottom of my foot, not the arch of my foot, not the bottom of my heel but the side of my heel. I was sold some shoe inserts (for 100.00 that I could have bought for 60.00 anywhere else) and told that I had plantar fasciitis, and given instruction to use ice and heat and to do some stretches and to give myself a foot massage and come back in 6-8 weeks. After doing everything as prescribed and wearing these inserts for 2 weeks, I had so much pain that I could barely walk - it hurt more then when I originally injured the foot! After the first week of the inserts, I called the office because my foot was hurting really bad and I was told to keep wearing the inserts because 'it takes a while to get used to them'. After the second week I could not take one more day of the inserts so I took them out and was off work for 2 days without any relief so I went to an urgent care in the city I was at for work. I felt like something was not quite right about the original diagnosis so I started looking before going to the next Dr and this is the first description that comes up online (and yes, I know, I know, I am not being a google queen): "When you have plantar fasciitis, you usually feel pain in the bottom of the heel or the arch of the foot. Some people describe the pain as feeling like a bruise or an ache. The pain tends to gradually go away once you begin walking around. With continued walking, the pain may return, but usually goes away after rest". Long story short - the Dr listened to what I said, performed a series of evaluation tests that Alliance never even bothered to do and determined that no, I did not have a standard case of plantar fasciitis, but I had some major issues with some of the muscles in the entire right leg that were inevitably causing issues with the muscles in my foot. This Dr referred me to a medical massage therapist that helped me further diagnose and pin down the problem area, the supporting issues that were effecting the problem area and then created a treatment plan. After just 1 session I could walk again normally for the first time after the disaster of inserts, and I am on the way to healing. After having 4 sessions I feel better than I have since injuring the foot and I have a plan to work forward, that makes 100% sense to me (unlike alliances) and that is working. After all of that, I was told by alliance that the Dr I saw is ridiculous to tell me his findings, that I do in fact have plantar fasciitis and that they will not change their opinion of my diagnosis because I will not go back to them. WHY would I go back to your office after such a terrible experience??!! So that you can bill me again?! No way! So I am not being refunded for the shoe inserts. I am not being offered any sort of 'what can we do to make this right' on the bill that they are sending and I was told 'well, the charges are valid because you were seen here' - of course I was seen there - I wish I had not been because I would not have went through a month of this mess! Maybe I should bill alliance for the missed work, the days of agony and the cost of having to fix what your dismissively prescribed inserts have cost me! read more

I have known Dr Swayman for 30 years. I have been in the office many times. He and the staff and his associates have always been great. Neither I or my family have ever had anything but great experiences at their clinic. read more

Dr. Swayman is the BEST! He is one of the most caring, genuine people on this earth. You couldn't ask for a better Podiatrist in the state of Alaska! He has treated our entire family from infant to adult. I wouldn't trust my children and husband with anybody else!!! read more

I have had a very good experience with Alliance. From the pleasant and responsive front office staff to the conscientious care of the doctor. I've received thorough explanation and attention throughout my healing process. I have no hesitation recommending Alliance Foot and Ankle. read more

I had a great experience with Alliance Foot & Ankle and would definitely recommend them to people looking for great care. Everyone was very professional and seemed to go the extra mile to make sure I was accommodated. read more

This has be be one of the most professional, thoughtful and helpful doctor offices I have been to in years! I'm serious. The whole staff is amazing and so friendly. Highly recommended! Dr. Shearer was amazing with my 11 year old son. Thank you to all the staff for making this whole process a great experience! read more