Alex Ovechkin's Broken Foot

As I have said before, I am a Penguins fan so I am biased to say Sidney Crosby is the best player in the world.  However, last evening, the Washington Capital's captain beat Sidney Crosby out by winning the Hart Trophy as the NHL's MVP.

As a podiatrist, I was also interested to learn that Ovechkin played a few playoff games and for Team Russia with a broken left foot.  Surprisingly he admitted not telling doctors about it until after the season.  It is thought that he sustained a "hairline fracture" blocking a shot in the Capitals / Rangers playoff series.

This, in my opinion, is unwise as a hairline fracture or "stress fracture" can become a "full fracture" and lead to a break in the bone that can heal in a poor position or not well.  Sometimes surgery, especially in a pro athlere, is then needed.

Usually stress fractures cause swelling in the foot and pain especially after being on the foot for awhile.  I have seen countless stress fractures that are not visible on x-ray but very evident on MRI.  Therefore, just because one recieves a normal x-ray reading does not mean nothing is wrong.  Any foot pain, especially with severe swelling, should not be overlooked.

Blame your parents for your bunions?

As a podiatrist, one of the procedures I perform most is correction of bunion deformities.  This is a deformity in which the great toe turns out and creates a bump on the inside of the foot just below the great toe.  If conservative treatment fails, surgery is an option for many patients.

A study came out last month that suggested this deformity is inherited.  In my opinion, however, it is more complex than this.  I believe your foot type can be inherited (ie, flat or high arch) and this foot type can lead to deformities.  For example, a young lady can have a foot type that she "inherited" from her father but she gets bunions unlike her father because she wears tight high heels that can lead to easy development of a deformity based on her inherited foot type.

I believe, the environment does come into play.  Another example would be a flat flimsy foot.  An individual with this foot type who wears flip flops all the time may develop a much more severe bunion than someone who wears a supportive shoe and insert most of the time.

Just like other medical risks such as heart disease it is likely that most bunions can be prevented with the proper decisions and care.  You should see a podiatrist if there are any concerns you have a bunion or believe you are developing one.