Sep
10
REPETITIVE IMPACT ON FEET CAN INCREASE RISK OF DAMAGE
Stress fractures of the foot are becoming more common in runners, especially first-time marathoners.
The growing popularity of marathons among beginning runners has contributed to the increase in repetitive stress injuries, including stress fractures of the foot, seen by foot and ankle surgeons. Often, first-time marathoners enter a race with little or improper long-distance training. The lack of experience coupled with the repetitive impact placed on the feet during the run can produce enough stress to cause hairline breaks in the bones of the foot.
“Runners who increase their mileage too quickly or change to a more intense phase of training may be more susceptible to a stress fracture due to the increased force placed on the bones,” says Alan MacGill, DPM, AACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon from Boynton Beach, Florida. “A general rule of thumb for runners is to increase the mileage by no more than 10 percent each week. Runners who are training also need to have adequate rest time in between runs to help decrease the risk of injury.”
Runners at all levels of experience are also at higher risk for stress fractures if they wear improper shoes while running or training, suffer from flatfoot or other foot deformities, or have osteoporosis.
Signs of a stress fracture can include pain, swelling, redness and possibly bruising of the area.
“Stress fractures can occur anywhere in the foot and can eventually lead to a complete break of the bone if left untreated,” Dr. MacGill explained. “Early diagnosis and treatment are important to ensure proper healing.”
If a break is suspected, Denver foot and ankle surgeon John McGarry, DPM, FACFAS, advises runners to immediately follow the RICE protocol —Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. If pain and swelling last longer than a few days, a visit to a foot and ankle surgeon for an x-ray and diagnosis is in order.
In most cases, treatment includes rest and immobilization with casting of the foot. Surgery may be required in certain instances to repair and stabilize a stress fracture that has progressed into a full fracture.
Runners can take action to prevent repetitive stress injuries in their feet by wearing supportive athletic shoes and slowly building up their activity levels according to their abilities. “If a runner suffers from abnormal mechanics in the foot, such as overpronation or hypermobility, custom orthotics can also be helpful to prevent these injuries,” Dr. McGarry adds.
Jerold Fleishman, D.P.M • Timothy Downs, D.P.M. • Edward Carver, D.P.M. • Caroline Gauthier, D.P.M.
Contact Us:
Chelmsford Podiatry Office: (978) 441-9241 or Newburyport Podiatry Office: (978) 463-0086
Web Site:
www.nefootankle.com
Contact Us:
Chelmsford Podiatry Office: (978) 441-9241
or Newburyport Podiatry Office: (978) 463-0086
Aug
24
TIMELY TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION KEY TO PROPER HEALING
Sometimes athletes can be their own worst enemy especially when they continue to play following an injury to a foot or ankle. To ensure proper recovery from an injury, athletes should seek a proper diagnosis, prompt treatment and full healing and rehabilitation.
Athletes often misunderstand how serious an injury can be and try to rush back into competition without appropriate treatment and rehabilitation. Some of the most difficult cases seen by foot and ankle surgeons are those in which athletes have continued to play after an injury. Orlando, Florida, foot and ankle surgeon, Robert Duggan, DPM, FACFAS, says, “Athletes often make the mistake of ignoring what seems like a minor foot or ankle injury because they are able to walk. Serious injuries can exist even when the foot or ankle is able to accept weight or pressure.”
One such injury involves the Lisfranc joint, on the top of the foot. It’s possible to walk with a Lisfranc injury, but this can lead to damage to the soft tissues of the foot or even chronic conditions such as arthritis. “Sometimes the pain of this injury is mistaken for an ankle sprain, but treatment for the two conditions is very different,” Dr. Duggan comments.
Another injury that may be overlooked is a fracture of the fifth metatarsal—the bone that runs along the outer side of the foot. This can accompany an ankle sprain, or the athlete may think it’s a sprain. However, this injury is difficult to heal, and continuing to participate in sports will make it worse.
Playing with pain is never a good strategy for athletes. Prompt treatment is. “Foot and ankle surgeons can determine the best course of treatment for the specific injury and help get athletes back into the game,” Dr. Duggan comments.
Jerold Fleishman, D.P.M • Timothy Downs, D.P.M. • Edward Carver, D.P.M. • Caroline Gauthier, D.P.M.
Contact Us:
Chelmsford Podiatry Office: (978) 441-9241 or Newburyport Podiatry Office: (978) 463-0086
Web Site:
www.nefootankle.com
Contact Us:
Chelmsford Podiatry Office: (978) 441-9241
or Newburyport Podiatry Office: (978) 463-0086
Aug
9
As millions of Americans hit the beach this summer, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons offers these foot safety tips:
Puncture wounds and cuts
Wear shoes to protect your feet from puncture wounds and cuts caused by sea shells, broken glass and other sharp objects. Don’t go in the water if your skin gets cut – bacteria in oceans and lakes can cause infection. A puncture wound should be treated by a foot and ankle surgeon within 24 hours to avoid complications.
Jellyfish stings
Remember that a jellyfish washed up on the beach can still sting if you step on it. If their tentacles stick to the foot or ankle, remove them, but protect your hands from getting stung too. Vinegar, meat tenderizer or baking soda reduce pain and swelling. Most jellyfish stings heal within days, but if they don’t, see a doctor.
Sunburns
Feet get sunburn too. Rare but deadly skin cancers can occur on the foot. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to the tops and bottoms of your feet.
Burns
Sand, sidewalks and paved surfaces get hot in the summer sun. Wear shoes to protect your soles from getting burned, especially if you have diabetes.
Ankle injuries, arch and heel pain
Walking, jogging and playing sports on soft, uneven surfaces like sand frequently leads to arch pain, heel pain, ankle sprains and other injuries. Athletic shoes provide the heel cushioning and arch support that flip-flops and sandals lack. If injuries occur, use rest, ice, compression and elevation to ease pain and swelling. Any injury that does not resolve within a few days should be examined by a foot and ankle surgeon.
Diabetes risks
People who have diabetes face serious foot safety risks at the beach. The disease causes poor blood circulation and numbness in the feet. A person with diabetes may not feel pain from a cut, puncture wound or burn. Any type of skin break on a diabetic foot has the potential to get infected and ulcerate if it isn’t noticed right away. People with diabetes should always wear shoes to the beach, and remove them regularly to check for foreign objects like sand and shells that can cause sores, ulcers and infections.
Jerold Fleishman, D.P.M • Timothy Downs, D.P.M. • Edward Carver, D.P.M. • Caroline Gauthier, D.P.M.
Contact Us:
Chelmsford Podiatry Office: (978) 441-9241 or Newburyport Podiatry Office: (978) 463-0086
Web Site:
