NBA Playoffs: Full of Foot & Ankle Problems

I have admitted before that I am not a huge NBA fan but could not avoid the news recently as several players have made the news with foot and ankle problems.

First off, Tiago Splitter of the Spurs sprained his left ankle earlier this week in game 3 against the Lakers.  Radiographs were reported as negative, but to me that doesn't mean much as a bad ankle sprain can be very painful and needs treated appropriately.

To a Chicago news station this week, Joakim Noah stated that "plantar fasciitis sucks."  This is a very common condition I see, and I am sure many of my patients will relate.  However, with the right treatment we can help most people significantly.

Chicago's first round opponent, the Nets, also apparently has a player suffering from plantar fasciitis as well.  Joe Johnson received a "cortisone injection" for plantar fasciitis earlier this week and Johnson admitted that this was very helpful.  When appropriate I can also give injections as part of my treatment.

As I often say you do not have to be an athlete to suffer from these conditions.  Come see us at Spring Hill Podiatry with any foot or ankle problems.

Ice Hockey is Back!

I was excited to hear that my favorite sport will be returning to the ice in just a matter of weeks.  Here in Florida, ice hockey is often an overlooked sport.  However, we do have some of the best players in the world over in Tampa Bay.  As I have blogged before, ice hockey players can have many injuries to the foot and ankle.  Despite having a supportive skate, ankle injuries are common.  Obviously when a hard piece of rubber hits a bone, it can cause a bone "bruise" or contusion accompanied by swelling and pain.  Lacerations can also occur when the bottom of a skate, which is razor sharp, makes contact with another player.

You don't have to play ice hockey to have these foot and ankle injuries.  Though we will probably not get hit by a puck, we can still bump our toe, foot, or shin into the bed in the middle of the night.  Just because we will likely not slam feet first into "the boards," doesn't mean we can't sprain our ankle awkwardly stepping off of a curb.  Of course, lacerations can occur in a variety of ways other than from a hockey skate.

I strive to provide great care for everyone; hockey players and non-hockey players alike.

Big Ben's Ankle Sprain

Many of the patients I have met during my brief time in Florida know that prior to coming to Florida I practiced for a few years in Pittsburgh.  Though not a fan myself, football in the Steel City is a huge deal.  Of course, the city is always on edge when its star QB is injured.

Apparently Big Ben has a sprained ankle.  As a podiatrist I treat sprained ankles on a very regular basis.  Ankle injuries are certainly not unique to athletes.  A person hurts his or her ankle and they often go to the ER and are given crutches and an ace wrap.  They hop around with the foot hanging down.  This leads to poor healing and can lead to ankle instability in the future.  It is imperative that injured ankles first be evaluated for fracture, and even if no fracture is seen, still be carefully treated.  Soft tissue injury can be just as bad as a broken bone.

I, as a podiatrist, have a very beneficial protocol for the treatment of ankle injuries.  I encourage people to not wait with ankle injuries but to be seen as soon as possible for proper treatment.