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

Jimmy Clausen injury link ESPN.

The quarterback for the Notre Dame football team, Jimmy Clausen, recently underwent surgery to repair torn ligaments under his big toe joint. Twisting and flexing the joint caused a "pop" that was felt in a game early in the season. He continued to play with the injury which never fully healed.

"Turf toe" is a condition in which the big toe bends upwards to an abnormal degree, causing pain at the bottom of the big toe, damage to the ligaments that connect the foot to the big toe, and damage to the joint capsule. Usually, the front of the foot is flat on the ground and slightly flexed upwards, with the heel raised off the ground. With the heel in this position, an outside force, which is usually another player, forces the joint of the first toe upwards even more.

Initial treatment includes rest, ice and elevation. A stiff soled shoe can help decrease movement of the big toe joint while walking. Crutches and/or a walking boot may be necessary in a severe injury. If discomfort continues a custom orthotic device can be made to decrease strain to the bottom of the joint.

Jimmy Clausen underwent surgery only after an MRI revealed that he had completely torn ligaments under the big toe joint. This severe of an injury rarely occurs and most athletes can return to the field within several weeks of a "Turf Toe" injury.

Eli Mannings link on plantar fascial injury

NFL link plantar fascial injury

Heal that Heel Pain
By Dr. Andrew Saffer, DPM
Podiatric Medicine and Surgery

Do your first few steps out of bed in the morning cause severe pain in your heel? If so you may be suffering from "heel pain syndrome", often referred to as "heel spurs." The typical signs and symptoms for this condition are usually severe pain upon first rising in the morning. Resting can provide only temporary relief. Typically, the pain reoccurs after sitting or resting and then rising. The intermittent pain often can progress to a dull aching pain.

Arch pain is often caused by frequent stress on the plantar aspect, or bottom of the foot. The plantar fascia is a supportive, fibrous band of tissue running from the heel to the ball of the foot. When the fascia becomes injured, pain on the bottom of the foot results.

Heel Spurs

Heel spur syndrome, related to plantar fasciitis, occurs after calcium deposits build up on the underside of the heel bone. The spur itself is usually not the cause of pain; the pain is actually from the soft tissue injury to the fascia.

Conservative Treatment

A majority of patient's heel pain resolves completely with conservative treatment. Treatment includes rest from strenuous activity, application of ice, stretching exercises, foot strappings, night splints, foot orthotic devices, cortisone injections, immoblization with a walking boot, and physical therapy.

Shockwave Therapy (Non-invasive surgery)

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy, is a non-invasive treatment option for the intense, persistent heel pain associated with chronic plantar fasciitis. This non-invasive out-patient treatment represents a breakthrough for this condition. Using a unique process known as Orthotripsy shock waves are emitted, similar to those used to treat kidney stones, to increase blood flow and stimulate healing of the affected heel. Shockwave therapy usually allows for patients to return to their activities within a day of the treatment. Some patients report immediate pain relief after treatment, although it can take up to four weeks for pain relief to commence. Shockwave therapy takes approximately 30 minutes and is performed as an outpatient or office procedure. In conclusion most patients who suffer from plantar fasciitis fully recover. Patients who have not responded to conservative treatment may benefit from shockwave therapy. It is a reasonable option to consider prior to surgical intervention, which involves releasing the plantar fascial ligament. The potential side-effects of shockwave therapy are minimal. Therefore, shockwave therapy is a safe alternative to surgery when patients have failed a minimum six months of conservative treatment.

Yao Ming's injury link

Have you ever experienced pain and swelling on the top of the foot? If you have you may have a condition called a stress fracture.
Stress fractures are small, hairline breaks that can occur in the bones of the foot. They can be caused without trauma to the foot. Typically stress fractures can be caused by overtraining, improper training habits, improper shoe gear, flatfoot or other foot deformities, and even osteoporosis. It is imperative that this injury is recognized and treated as soon as possible by a foot and ankle specialists.

Pain, swelling, and possibly bruising can be signs of a stress fracture. The fracture can occur almost anywhere in the foot. The metatarsal bones are one of the most common locations of stress fractures of the foot. X-rays and other studies are used to diagnose stress fractures. Stress fractures may not be visible for 10 to 14 days on x-ray examination. Possible treatments include rest and possible immobilization of the foot ( with a cam walker walking boot/or below knee cast). In some cases, surgery may be required to stabilize the stress fracture or to repair a stress fracture that has progressed to a fracture.