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.

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.

Exciting Annoucement

I am very excited to announce that effective April 24, 2013 I will be joining a new practice.  I will be the first podiatrist in a multi-specialty practice in Spring Hill, Florida.  I think my 8 years of experience will allow me to incorporate great podiatric care into this new practice.  I am thankful for the opportunity and am thrilled to continue to practice in the State of Florida.  Here is the information on the location with contact information:

ABSOLUTE HEALTHCARE LLC
3378 MARINER BLVD
SPRING HILL, FL 34608
352-678-3033

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.