Nov
17
Soccer season is in full swing and a local foot and ankle surgeon strongly urges parents and coaches to think twice before coaxing young, injury-prone soccer players to “play through” foot and ankle pain.
“Skeletally immature kids, starting and stopping and moving side to side on cleats that are little more than moccasins with spikes – that’s a recipe for foot and ankle sprains and worse,” cautions Timothy M. Downs, DPM, FACFAS, a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
“Kids will play with lingering, nagging heel pain that, upon testing, turns out to be a stress fracture that neither they, their parents nor their coaches were aware of,” he said. “By playing with pain, they can’t give their team 100 percent and make their injuries worse, which prolongs their time out of soccer.”
Dr. Downs said he has actually had to show parents x-rays of fractures before they’ll take their kids out of the game. “And stress fractures can be subtle – they don’t always show up on initial x-rays.”
Symptoms of stress fractures include pain during normal activity and when touching the area, and swelling without bruising. Treatment usually involves rest and sometimes casting. Some stress fractures heal poorly and often require surgery, such as a break in the elongated bone near the little toe, known as a Jones fracture.
“Soccer is a very popular sport in our community, but the constant running associated with it places excessive stress on a developing foot,” Dr. Downs said. He added that pain from overuse usually stems from inflammation, such as around the growth plate of the heel bone, more so than a stress fracture. “Their growth plates are still open and bones are still growing and maturing – until they’re about 13 to 16. Rest and, in some cases, immobilization of the foot should relieve that inflammation,” Dr. Downs said.
Other types of overuse injuries are Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis (heel pain caused by inflammation of the tissue extending from the heel to the toes).
Quick, out-of-nowhere ankle sprains are also common to soccer. “Ankle sprains should be evaluated by a physician to assess the extent of the injury,” said Dr. Downs. “If the ankle stays swollen for days and is painful to walk or even stand on, it could be a fracture.”
Collisions between soccer players take their toll on toes. “When two feet are coming at the ball simultaneously, that ball turns into cement block and goes nowhere. The weakest point in that transaction is usually a foot, with broken toes the outcome,” he explained. “The toes swell up so much the player can’t get a shoe on, which is a good sign for young athletes and their parents: If they are having trouble just getting a shoe on, they shouldn’t play.”
To contact Dr. Downs’ office:
Chelmsford Podiatry Office: (978) 441-9241
or Newburyport Podiatry Office: (978) 463-0086
Chelmsford Podiatry Office: (978) 441-9241
or Newburyport Podiatry Office: (978) 463-0086
Jun
30
It’s that time of year to pack your bags and head off to your favorite destination. But while you’re riding in the car or travelling by plane, remember to stretch those legs to help prevent a serious condition known as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).
DVT is a condition in which a blood clot (a blockage) forms in vein located deep within the leg. These clots most commonly occur in the veins of the leg, but they can also develop in other parts of the body. If the clot breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream, it can lodge in the lung. This blockage in the lung, called a pulmonary embolism, can make it difficult to breathe and may even cause death.
Certain people are more at risk than others for developing DVT. Some examples of risk factors include varicose veins, blood clotting disorders, pregnancy or recent childbirth, obesity, and heart disease. People over 40 years old, those who have had recent surgery, or those who are immobile through inactivity or wearing a cast are also more at risk for DVT.
Some people with DVT in the leg have either no warning signs at all or very vague symptoms. If any of the following warning signs or symptoms are present, it is important to make an appointment with our office for an evaluation:
- Swelling in the leg
- Pain in the calf or thigh
- Warmth and redness of the leg
If you have risk factors for DVT and plan on taking a long trip this season, follow these tips to reduce the likelihood of developing a blood clot:
- Exercise legs every 2 to 3 hours to get the blood flowing back to the heart. Walk up and down the aisle of a plane or train, rotate ankles while sitting, and take regular breaks on road trips.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids; avoid caffeine and alcohol.
- Consider wearing compression stockings.
Chelmsford Podiatry Office: (978) 441-9241
or Newburyport Podiatry Office: (978) 463-0086
Jun
24
Bare feet are universally associated with summer, but for those who enjoy walking barefoot, a local foot and ankle surgeon warns that in attention to seemingly minor puncture wounds on the soles of your feet can allow serious infections to develop and spread.
Going barefoot heightens risk for puncture wounds, which require different treatment from cuts because the tiny holes often harbor foreign matter under the skin,says Jerold H. Fleishman, DPM, FACFAS, a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Glass, nails, needles and seashells are common offenders. Regardless of the substance, anything that remains in the wound increases your chances for complications.
Puncture wounds in the feet too often are superficially treated, according to Dr. Fleishman, and it is best to get proper care within the first 24 hours to make sure anything that might be embedded in the wound is removed. Dr. Fleishman notes research suggests 10 percent of puncture wounds do result in serious infection, but such complications can be prevented with prompt and appropriate medical attention.
The depth and relative cleanliness of a puncture wound are the main factors determining possible infection risk.
Studies show 60 percent of patients who required incision and drainage of a puncture wound had something embedded, says Dr. Fleishman. With the increasing prevalence of drug-resistant bacteria, even healthy people are getting potentially life-threatening staph infections. So if you step on something and the skin is broken, get treated right away.
Treatment involves a thorough cleaning to decrease infection risk. Tetanus shots often are needed. Following treatment, the wound should be monitored carefully at home.
Sometimes an infection can develop later and migrate to the bones, says Dr. Fleishman. So if the wound stays red, swollen and sore after a few days, go back to the doctor for further treatment. In all cases, a puncture wound on your foot should never be taken lightly.
To make an appointment with Dr. Fleishman, contact the Chelmsford podiatry office at (978) 441-9241 or the Newburyport podiatry office at (978) 463-0086. You can also visit New England Foot & Ankle podiatry web site at www.NEFootAnkle.com.
Contact Us:Chelmsford Podiatry Office: (978) 441-9241
or Newburyport Podiatry Office: (978) 463-0086
