Pascal Dupuis

Most of the people that read my blog know I love to watch ice hockey, and also know that I especially like the Pittsburgh Penguins.  Today, the Penguins announced that winger Pascal Dupuis has a a "blot clot in his lung."  This is more specifically a pulmonary embolism.   A few months ago, I blogged about how American Idol contestant, Michael Johns, lost his life due to a pulmonary embolism.

The Penguins say that Pascal had chest pain and was evaluated and the embolism was found.  He apparently had a blood clot in his leg (DVT = deep vein thrombosis) that traveled to his lungs.  A DVT in the leg is, in and of itself, not the problem.  However, it can cause very painful leg swelling and inflammation.  The problem is if that blood clot breaks away and travels to the lungs it can be deadly.  Most people would go to the ER if they had trouble breathing, but people need to take sudden painful swelling in the leg just as seriously.  Immobilization after injury, as well as being seated for long periods of time (eg, a long airplane trip), can be a couple of the common causes.

Pascal will be unable to play hockey for at least 6 months as he will need to be on anti-coagulants, or blood thinners, for at least that time to prevent further clots.  As most of you know, hockey is a contact sport and blunt trauma and blood thinners are not a good combination.

The Penguins say that Pascal should be able to return to hockey.  Unfortunately, however, this is his second blood clot.  One has to wonder if he would want to risk coming off anti-coagulation as he is obviously prone to developing thrombi in this body.  I guess time will tell, but either way, he will have to closely watch for developing symptoms for the rest of his life.

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.

Erik Karlsson's Achilles Laceration

Erik Karlsson suffered a 70 percent laceration of his Achilles' tendon on Wednesday night.  The Senators were playing my favorite hockey team, The Pittsburgh Penguins.  Hockey skates are razor sharp and Matt Cooke's skate caused the laceration.  Matt Cooke has been a subject on controversy but has cleaned up his act recently.  The NHL has determined that the injury was accidental (unlike some of Cooke's actions of the past).  As a podiatrist, I deal with achilles injuries on a regular basis.  Karlsson will likely require surgery or at a bare minimum immobilization and extensive therapy.  Hockey players are not the only ones to suffer injury to the achilles tendon which is the largest tendon (muscle to bone connection) in the body.  However, the Ottawa Senators certainly will miss the services of last year's Norris Trophy winner who was voted the best defenseman in the league.

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.