Kobe Bryant's "Bone Spur"

Thursday night after the Lakers game against the Bucks, the Lakers revealed that Bryant has a "bone spur" in his left foot.  This could mean many things as there are several places that an individual could have a bone spur in the foot.  However, there are really only two places where a bone spur is common.  The most common is at the bottom of the heel bone.  This is also called the "plantar" part of the heel and a band of tissue that attaches there called the plantar fascia can often get inflamed.  Not always, but usually heel spur syndrome and plantar fasciitis are the same thing and treated the same way.

The other common area for spurring is at the back of the heel where the largest tendon, the achilles, attaches.  This can be more difficult to treat and when conservative measures fail surgery to remove the spur and reattach the achilles tendon is often necessary.

It is difficult to say exactly were Bryant's spur is, but Laker fans should hope it is at the bottom of the heel instead of the back.  Either way, however, both conditions can be very painful.  Fortunately, though, both conditions can be treated and in most instances successfully resolved.

Kris Letang's Broken Toe

I have been enjoying my NHL Center Ice subscription down here in Florida as of late.  It allows me to watch every Pittsburgh Penguins game that I can.  (I am happy as a fan that most of them have been wins).  Along with all the great trades the team has made, there is news that Kris Letang, the Pens all-star defenseman, suffered a "lower body injury."  Hockey does not have to say much about a player's injury but most sources said he is suffering from a broken toe.

It is not just athletes who suffer from broken toes.  Anyone can injure his or her toe to lead to fracture.   The most common way I see it happen is from bumping the toe against a piece of furniture.

Many people don't seek treatment because they believe there is "nothing that can be done."  Often times not much treatment is required but the condition can be painful.  Compensation can occur from trying to walk on a painful foot and this can lead to other problems.  Additionally, if an injury is significant enough to cause a broken toe it is not uncommon for another part of the foot to be injured as well.  Therefore, if you do injure your toe (or foot) a trip to the podiatrist is always a good idea.

Kristen Stewart at The Oscars

I am a little late blogging this but I wanted to chime in.  The details are not know but Kristen Stewart walked the red carpet last week on crutches after apparently cutting her foot on a piece of glass while "partying."  Certainly, this can be a serious issue.  A laceration on the bottom of the foot can lead to painful scarring.  Also infection is a very real concern and often antibiotics are needed.

Of course, the best course of action is to prevent injury in the first place.  Protective shoes are important, especially in a diabetic patient that may not have full feeling in his or her feet.  Going barefoot can be dangerous anywhere, even inside the home.  I have had a few patients require surgery to remove a sewing needle that they stepped on at home.

If you step on a piece of glass or any foreign body, you should not wait but should see a podiatrist right away.