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
Chelmsford Podiatry Office: (978) 441-9241
or Newburyport Podiatry Office: (978) 463-0086
Aug
31
Five Easy-to-Follow Tips from the American Podiatric Medical Association to Reduce Injury and Encourage Physical Activity
Bethesda, MD – As parents and children commence the annual hunt for deals on back-to-school items, shopping for healthy shoes should top the “must-buy” list for more important reasons than just a fashionable new look. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), well-fitting shoes not only reduce the instance of foot and ankle injuries in kids, but they also encourage physical activity, helping to decrease the likelihood of childhood obesity.
“If a child’s feet hurt, they will be far less likely to participate in outdoor sports and other activities that keep them moving and physically fit,” said APMA President Kathleen M. Stone, DPM. “With childhood obesity considered an epidemic today, it is vital that parents take just a few moments during this busy back-to-school shopping season to select a shoe that provides adequate support and fits properly. It is one of the easiest ways to keep a child pain-free and healthy.”
As First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign continues to bring the childhood obesity fight into the public eye, parents are encouraged more than ever to only purchase foot-friendly shoes that keep a child’s feet safe at home and on the playground.
Shopping for healthy shoes can be a daunting task without knowing what to look for—but the following APMA tips can make any back-to-school shoe purchase an easy, smart, and safe one:
• Before buying a shoe, perform the “1,2,3 Test.” First, squeeze the back of a shoe’s heel and ensure that it does not collapse. Second, grab the front (toe box) of the shoe and make sure that the shoe bends where the child’s toes would naturally bend in the shoe. Third, grab the shoe at both ends and try to gently twist. Shoes should never twist in the middle and should be rigid. If a shoe fails any of these three steps, it should not be purchased.
• Look for the APMA’s Seal of Acceptance. Many products, including select children’s footwear models made by companies Pediped, Reebok, and Tsukihoshi, have been awarded the APMA’s Seal of Acceptance for demonstrating proper foot health. Look for the APMA Seal on product packaging or on the manufacturer’s website.
• Never hand down footwear. Sharing shoes can spread fungus such as athlete’s foot, and regardless of shoe size, shoes that are previously worn can cause problems.
• Have a child’s foot measured regularly. Most shoe stores will be happy to measure a child’s foot. Children should also receive a foot health check-up from a podiatrist that includes foot measurement to ensure proper fit. Since shoe sizes may not be consistent from one manufacturer to the next, use size only as a guide, making sure the shoe is comfortable on the child’s foot.
• No “break-in” period required. Your child’s shoes should be comfortable to wear immediately and should not require a break-in period for comfort.
For more back-to-school shoe shopping tips, visit www.apma.org/kids-shoes. To get a full list of children’s footwear with the APMA Seal of Acceptance, visit www.apma.org/pediatricfootproducts.
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
Contact Us:
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
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
Chelmsford Podiatry Office: (978) 441-9241
or Newburyport Podiatry Office: (978) 463-0086
