Pro Athletes Not the Only Ones at Risk for Achilles Tendon Problems

You don't have to be an accomplished athlete to suffer Achilles tendon injuries. They can happen from household tasks like climbing a ladder. Achilles tendon weakness is common in adults. But seeking treatment when symptoms occur can prevent more serious injury.
Achilles tendon injuries happen most often to less conditioned, "weekend warrior" athletes who overdo it. Ruptures of the Achilles tendon can occur from simply climbing a ladder quickly.
The Achilles tendon is the longest and strongest tendon in the body. It is subjected to considerable wear and tear. When the tendon becomes inflamed from overuse, or sudden stress, tendonitis can weaken it over time and cause microscopic tears.
People risk further deterioration and possible rupture when they don't seek medical care for Achilles tendon injuries. The main symptoms of Achilles tendonitis are pain, stiffness and tenderness. Pain occurs in the morning, improves with motion, but gets worse with increasing stress and activity.
Treatments for an acute Achilles tendon injury includes:
Immobilization with a cam walker boot to promote healing of the tendon.
Ice to reduce swelling.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication to reduce pain and inflammation.
Physical therapy to strengthen the tendon.
Surgery, if other approaches fail to restore the tendon to its normal condition.

To find out more about Achilles tendon injuries please refer to our website at: Carolinafootspecialists.net

1. Are bunions hereditary?

Bunions are most often caused by an inherited faulty mechanic structure of the foot. It is not the bunion itself that is inherited, but certain foot types that make a person prone to developing a bunion.
2. Do over-the-counter pads and splints really work?

Pads placed over the area of the bunion may help minimize pain from a bunion. However, padding and splinting cannot reverse a bunion deformity.
3. Will my bunion get worse?

Because bunions are progressive, they don't go away, and will usually get worse over time. But not all cases are alike. Some bunions progress more rapidly than others.
4. Is it better to have it fixed now, or should I wait?

When the pain of a bunion interferes with daily activities, it's time to discuss surgical options with your foot and ankle surgeon. Together you can decide if surgery is best for you.
5. How can I avoid surgery?

Sometimes observation of the bunion is all that's needed. A periodic office evaluation and x-ray examination can determine if your bunion deformity is advancing, thereby reducing your chance of irreversible damage to the joint. In many other cases, however, some type of treatment is needed, such as changes in shoes, padding, activity modifications, pain medications, icing, injection therapy, and orthotic devices.

When the pain of a bunion interferes with daily activities, it's time to discuss surgical options with your foot and ankle surgeon. Together you can decide if surgery is best for you.
6. Will my insurance company pay for the surgery?

In most cases, yes.
7. Is the surgery painful?

The amount of pain experienced after bunion surgery is different from one person to the next. Most patients will experience discomfort for three to five days. If you closely follow your foot and ankle surgeon's instructions, you can help minimize pain and swelling after your bunion surgery.
8. What type of anesthesia is involved?

Most bunion surgeries involve local anesthesia with intravenous sedation. That means your foot will be numb and you will be given medications to relax you during the procedure.
9. If I need surgery, how long will recovery take?

The length of the recovery period will vary, depending on the procedure or procedures performed. Your foot and ankle surgeon will provide you with detailed information about your recovery.
10. Will I be able to walk normally, or even exercise and run, after healing from bunion surgery?

In most cases, yes.
11. How soon can I walk after surgery?

It depends on your bunion and the surgical procedure selected for you.
12. How soon can I go back to work after surgery?

The length of the recovery period will vary, depending on the procedure or procedures performed.
13. How soon can I drive after surgery?

The length of the recovery period will vary, depending on the procedure or procedures performed.
14. Can the bunion come back?

Yes, there is a risk for bunion recurrence in some cases. Patients can help prevent this by following their doctor's instructions to wear arch supports or orthotics in their shoe.
15. If screws or plates are implanted in my foot to correct my bunion, will they set off metal detectors?

Not usually. It can depend on the device chosen for your procedure, as well as how sensitive the metal detectors are.

Please look for Dr. Saffers new article in the latest East Cooper Medical Centers summer publication "Embrace". The article is titled "These Feet Are Made for Walking." Great information on selecting the right shoes for women this summer. We should have it up on our website in the next couple of weeks.
On page three of the Embrace publication, East Cooper Hospital has a random drawing to win a $100 gift card for answering a question from this article.

The question is: For the comfort and health of your feet, what is the maximum recommended heel height?
Carolinafootspecialists.net

Check out our new Summer Newsletter 2010 on our home page. Great tips on prevention of foot injuries while playing golf and mowing the lawn during the summer months.
Carolinafootspecialists.net

Flip-flops tied to surge in teenage heel pain

Many of us are welcoming the warmer weather sporting flip-flop sandals; however, their popularity among teens and young adults is responsible for a growing epidemic of heel pain in this population.
We are seeing increasing cases of heel pain in the 15 to 25 years old, a group that usually doesn't have this problem. A major contributor is wearing flip-flop sandals with paper-thin soles everyday to school. Flip-flops have no arch support and can accentuate any abnormal biomechanics in foot motion, and this eventually brings pain and inflammation."
Our practice recommends wearing sandals with reasonably strong soles and arch support. Such as the "Chaco" style sandals.
Especially for girls and young women, thicker soled sandals with supportive arches might not be considered stylish, but if you want to wear sandals most of the time, you'll avoid heel pain if you choose sturdier, perhaps less fashionable styles.
It is estimated that 15 percent of all adult foot complaints involve plantar fasciitis, the type of heel pain caused by chronic inflammation of the connective tissue extending from the heel bone to the toes. Being overweight and wearing inappropriate footwear are common contributing factors.
The pain is most noticeable after getting out of bed in the morning, and it tends to decrease after a few minutes and returns during the day as time on the feet increases. Not all heel pain, however, is caused by plantar fasciitis. It also can occur from inflammation of the Achilles tendon, bursitis, arthritis, gout, stress fractures, or irritation of one or more of the nerves in the region. Therefore, diagnosis by a foot doctor to rule out other causes is advised.
Initial treatment options for heel pain caused by plantar fasciitis should include anti-inflammatory medications, padding and strapping of the foot and physical therapy. Patients also should stretch their calf muscles regularly, avoid wearing flat shoes and walking barefoot, use over-the-counter arch supports and heel cushions, and limit the frequency of extended physical activities.
Most patients with plantar fasciitis respond to non-surgical treatment within six weeks. However, surgery is sometimes necessary to relieve severe, persistent pain.