FIX MY FOOT

Cleveland Cavaliers Daniel Gibson Has Torn Tendon in Right Foot

Cleveland Cavaliers’ guard Daniel Gibson will probably miss the rest of the season due to a torn tendon in his ankle. This was not the news the Cavaliers were hoping for as injuries continue to tear the team up.

Initially, x-rays were negative and the Cavaliers listed Gibson as “day-to-day with a sprained ankle” after his right ankle ankle during the Cavaliers game against the New Jersey Nets on March 19th.

(picture by cleveland.sbnation.com)

When Gibson did not progress as expected, a MRI revealed the torn tendon in his right foot and ankle.

From the reports, we don’t know exactly what kind of torn tendon Daniel Gibson suffered. there are two types of tendon injuries.

The Achilles tendon is a band of tissue that connects a muscle to a bone. The Achilles tendon runs down the back of the lower leg and connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. The Achilles tendon helps us to walk by helping to raise the heel off the ground.

An Achilles tendon rupture is a complete or partial tear is what happens when the tendon is stretched too far. Forceful jumping or pivoting, or sudden accelerations of running (which basketball players do in every game), can overstretch the tendon and cause a tear. An injury to the tendon can also result from falling or tripping.

Besides basketball players, Achilles tendon ruptures are also seen in “weekend warriors,” who are often middle-aged people who participate in sports in their spare time. Less commonly, illness or medications, may weaken the tendon and contribute to ruptures.

Gibson could also have suffered an injury to the peroneal tendons, which is is a band of tissue that connects a muscle to a bone. The two peroneal tendons in the foot run side-by-side behind the outer ankle bone. One peroneal tendon attaches to the outer part of the midfoot, while the other tendon runs under the foot and attaches near the inside of the arch. Peroneal tendons stabilize the foot and ankle and protect them from sprains.

Peroneal tendon injuries may happen suddenly or can develop over a period of time. They most commonly occur in individuals who participate in sports that involve repetitive ankle motion (including basketball players). In addition, people with higher arches are at risk for developing peroneal tendon injuries.

Remember, any type of foot or ankle pain is never normal. A foot and ankle doctor can examine your feet and give you the best course of action.

Please call 626-447-2184 (Arcadia) or 310-551-1711 (Century City) to speak to a foot and ankle specialist about your foot and/or ankle needs.

Serious Ankle Injury for New York Yankees’ Joba Chamberlain

New York Yankees’ pitcher Joba Chamberlain recently suffered a painful right ankle injury while playing with his son earlier this month on a trampoline at a kids recreation center in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Chamberlain endured an open dislocation of his ankle and lost a potentially life-threatening amount of blood. He has already had surgery and will remain in the hospital for several more days.

(picture by nydailynews.com)

Yankee GM Brian Cashman said in a statement: “Keep him in your prayers, because obviously he’s facing a lot right now.”

“My heart goes out to him,” added Joe Girardi. “We’re behind him, we’re going to take care of him, we’ll get him back, but right now he’s going through a hard time.”

Chamberlain, 26, was a fist-pumping sensation when he first reached the major league in 2007. His arrival was so anticipated fans were chanting his name before he’d even thrown a pitch in the big leagues.

He inspired T-shirts with slogans (“The Joba Rules”) and a set of pitching restrictions designed to limit the stress on his right arm. The Yankees treated him as if he were made of delicate crystal, yet he got hurt anyway, requiring elbow ligament-replacement surgery last year.

An open dislocation ankle injury means that bone pierced the skin, which can add dangerous complications. When the skin is intact, it’s much easier to heal.

So this type of ankle injury makes it not only a career-threatening injury, but a limb-threatening injury. There are a small percentage of people, if the skin envelope doesn’t heal, ware ho susceptible to infection and that can lead to amputation. These days, that’s less likely to happen because we have antibiotics.

Chamberlain probably won’t be able to put weight on the ankle for two or three months, which means he won’t start baseball-related activities anytime soon.

Chamberlain had made remarkable progress in his attempt to return from Tommy John surgery on his arm. He had worked so hard that he had actually moved up the timetable for his return. While the Yankees believed he’d be back by August, Chamberlain was shooting for sooner. The team was definitely counting on his “power arm” in the bullpen this season.

Even with likely long odds, Girardi won’t give up on Chamberlain: “You can only look forward, you can’t think, ‘What if?’ You’ve got to move forward and we’re going to get you healthy and you’ll be the pitcher you’re meant to be.”

This type of ankle injury was not only painful, but life-threatening. Fortunately, Chamberlain was seen by medical professionals, most likely, including a foot and ankle surgeon.

Remember, any type of foot or ankle pain is never normal. A foot and ankle doctor can examine your feet and give you the best course of action.

Please call 626-447-2184 (Arcadia) or 310-551-1711 (Century City) to speak to a foot and ankle specialist about your foot and/or ankle needs.

Sports Ankle and Foot Injuries in Teens and Children

Americans will be glued to the NCAA basketball playoffs this month, rooting for their favorite college team. March Madness coverage inspires many teens and kids to try to imitate their heroes on the basketball court.

However, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, 3.5 million children and teens get hurt annually playing organized sports. Foot and ankle injuries account for one third of these numbers.

(picture by fit.webmd.com)

Common foot and ankle injuries in youth sports include: ankle sprain, stress fracture, foot and ankle tendonitis, Achilles Apophysitis and Tibialis Posterior Tendonitis.

In basketball, additional foot and ankle stress happens with excessive and sudden acceleration, deceleration, lateral movements, pivoting, jumping and landing. All of this can take its toll on young growing bones and tendons.

Although some injuries are less severe than others, there is always the potential for lifelong medical problems if youth ankle injuries are not initially treated properly by an experienced ankle and foot doctor.

Parents and children should recognize that foot and ankle pain during athletics is not normal and, when persistent, medical evaluation by an expert ankle and foot specialist. is critical. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent the majority of foot and ankle injuries from lingering longer than necessary and, in some cases, help avoid the need for future surgery.

Most foot and ankle injuries in children and teens can be treated effectively with rest, activity modification, physical therapy and bracing. Other foot and ankle injuries may need to be treated surgically when necessary.

Here are some tips for children, teens and parents to reduce foot and ankle injury risk in sports:

• Warm up prior to any sports activity, include thorough stretching
• Select the proper footwear for the specific type of exercise
• Start out slowly following a layoff period from sports
• Wear protective equipment appropriate for that sport
• Listen to your child if he/she complains about persistent pain
• Reduce overuse injuries by taking a break from repetitive activity

Red flags or ankle injury warning signs:

• Pain in the foot or lower leg that persists more than 72 hours
• Swelling of the foot or leg that persists for more than 24 hours
• Pain which increases with exercise or walking
• Pain at rest or with elevation of the legs

While prevention is always the first line of defense against an ankle and foot injury, sometimes these injuries are unavoidable.

Remember, any type of foot pain is never normal. A foot and ankle doctor can examine your feet and give you the best course of action.

Please call 626-447-2184 (Arcadia) or 310-551-1711 (Century City) to speak to a foot and ankle specialist about your foot and/or ankle needs.

New York Yankees’ David Robertson Injures Foot

The New York Yankees’ David Robertson might be ready to start the season on time after a second round of tests revealed a bone bruise on his right foot.

Last Wednesday evening in his St. Petersburg, Florida apartment, Robertson missed a bottom stair while carrying an empty box for recycling and suffered a right foot injury.

(picture by northjersey.com)

X-rays taken on last Thursday morning were negative, but an MRI proved inconclusive. Robertson was sent to a Tampa hospital for weight-bearing X-rays and a CT scan. The results were sent last Friday to a foot specialist.

There was no swelling associated with the bruise atop the mid foot. The new test results also ruled out any serious condition such as a Lisfranc fracture.

Last Friday Robertson entered the clubhouse on crutches and said: “I’m feeling better today. I’m hoping it’s something that will pass in a week or so and I’ll be right back out there.”

Yankees’ manager Joe Girard stated: “It’s a huge relief. This is as good as it gets for us.”

Girardi said Robertson ’s injured foot will remain in a protective boot for a few days and the pitcher won’t return to the mound until he’s completely healed: “You don’t want him favoring it at all. We’re not going to throw him in a game until he feels good.”

Girardi added: “When they tell you there’s a cause for concern [after the original MRI] you’re thinking there could be something broken, or who knows what it could’ve been. And I wasn’t real encouraged when I saw him walking.”

Robertson said: “It’s always good to get a second opinion. I’d rather be like, you know, I tripped over a chair in the clubhouse or something than tell you I fell down the stairs in my house. It’s not like [it was] a full flight of stairs – just one stair.”

As it turned out, Robertson’s positive vibe about his condition proved correct: “It feels better today, that’s all I can tell you. I’m hoping it feels even better tomorrow.”

Fortunately, David Robertson consulted a foot and ankle specialist soon after his foot injury, diagnostic tests were run and the news was good.  Robertson just needs to rest up his foot and give it time to heal.

This incident is another reminder that even Major League baseball players are not immune from foot injuries.  If it can happen to them, it can also happen to you.

Remember, any type of foot pain is never normal. A foot and ankle doctor can examine your feet and give you the best course of action.

Please call 626-447-2184 (Arcadia) or 310-551-1711 (Century City) to speak to a foot and ankle specialist about your foot and/or ankle needs.

Rapper Childish Gambino Suffers Foot Fracture

Childish Gambino a.k.a. Donald Glover won’t be taking the stage  tomorrow, or any of his 11 scheduled tour dates after that, reports Exclaim.com.

The actor-rapper has been forced to reschedule several shows after a foot fracture while performing in Florida over the weekend.

(picture by spinner.com)

His official website states: “This past Saturday I fractured my foot on stage in Tampa during a performance and was rushed to the emergency room. The doctors say that if I stay off of my foot for a couple weeks and wear this boot, there’s a good chance they can avoid surgery and start performing again soon.”

Gambino is not the first musician this year to suffer a foot injury, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ front man Anthony Keidis endured a right foot injury.

Gambino is not specific about what part of his foot that he fractured, it could actually be quite a few maladies.  Of the 26 bones in the foot, 19 are toe bones (phalanges) and metatarsal bones (the long bones in the midfoot).

Ankle fractures can range from the less serious injuries (small pieces of bone that have been pulled off) to severe shattering-type breaks of the tibia, fibula, or both.

Fractures of the toe and metatarsal bones require evaluation by an experienced foot and ankle surgeon who can  give the right diagnosis and treatment, even if initial treatment has been received in an emergency room.

Fractures  are common in the fifth metatarsal, which is the long bone on the outside of the foot that connects to the little toe. Two types of fractures that often occur in the fifth metatarsal are avulsion and Jones fractures.

In an avulsion fracture, a small piece of bone is pulled off the main portion of the bone by a tendon or ligament. This type of fracture is the result of an injury in which the ankle rolls. Avulsion fractures are often overlooked when they occur with an ankle sprain.

Jones fractures occur in a small area of the fifth metatarsal that receives less blood and is more prone to problems in healing.  A Jones fracture can be either a stress fracture (a tiny hairline break that occurs over time) or an acute (sudden) break. Jones fractures are caused by overuse, repetitive stress, or trauma.

Ankle fractures are common injuries that are most often caused by the ankle rolling inward or outward. Many people mistake an ankle fracture for an ankle sprain, but they are quite different and therefore require an accurate and early diagnosis. They sometimes occur simultaneously.

All types of foot and ankle fractures  should be seen by a foot and ankle doctor who can treat the injury.

Remember, any type of foot pain is never normal. A foot and ankle doctor can examine your feet and give you the best course of action.

Please call 626-447-2184 (Arcadia) or 310-551-1711 (Century City) to speak to a foot and ankle specialist about your foot and/or ankle needs.

New Jersey Nets’ Brook Lopez Out With Ankle Sprain Injury

On March 4, 2012, the New Jersey Nets scored a victory over the Charlotte Bobcats, 104-101, but the Nets’ Brook Lopez took a fall which resulted in a sprained right ankle.

Lopez sprained his ankle in the third quarter and left the arena on crutches after the game. He did fly with the team to Miami, where the Nets played the Heat. Hopefully, Lopez will consulted a foot and ankle doctor about his ankle injury.

(picture by William Perlman/The Star-Ledger)

Lopez is the centerpiece of the Net’s efforts to try to trade for Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic. The ankle injury timetable means Lopez is out of action beyond the March 15 trade deadline, although that does not mean the Nets could not still trade him.

This is not the first time that Lopez has missed games due to a foot condition. Lopez missed the first 32 games of the season, and 33 of the first 34, because of surgery to repair a broken fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot.

His teammate Damion James suffered a broken fifth metatarsal in his right foot last season and had the same surgery Lopez had this season.

James re-injured his foot against the Boston Celtics in the seventh game this season and he initially called it a sprained ankle, before it later ended up being called a bruised foot. Eventually, James had to have a second foot surgery that ended his season.

As we mentioned in an earlier article, Common Athlete Foot Injuries, ankle sprains  are a common sports injury. The key is early treatment by a foot and ankle doctor because  “sprain” could actually be an ankle fracture.

Treatment for sprains and treatment for fractures is very different.  An ankle that has not been properly healed and strengthened is more likely to suffer repeated sprains, leading to chronic ankle instability.

Other sports’ injuries include:

Achilles tendonitis, an inflammation of the tendon that runs down the back of the lower leg, can turn into the degeneration of the tendon (Achilles tendonosis).

Heel pain is most often caused by plantar fasciitis, although it may also be caused by stress fractures. Faulty foot structure is the most common cause of plantar fasciitis, it can also result from wearing shoes that are worn out.

In Morton’s neuroma, there is a thickening of nerve tissue in the ball of the foot resulting from pressing on and irritating the nerve.

These are just some of the foot and ankle injuries that happen to athletes and people who participate in sporting activities; there are many more.

Remember, any type of foot pain is never normal. A foot and ankle doctor can examine your feet and give you the best course of action.

Please call 626-447-2184 (Arcadia) or 310-551-1711 (Century City) to speak to a foot and ankle specialist about your foot and/or ankle needs.

Why Total Ankle Replacement Surgery is Growing in Popularity

Arthritic hips and knees are often replaced, but did you know that total ankle replacement surgery in the U.S. more than doubled last year.

One of the main reasons for this growth is the technological advances in ankle implants (prostheses).

(image by wikimedia.org)

Total ankle replacement surgery, which is also called ankle arthroplasty, is when an ankle replacement surgeon replaces damaged ankle joint with an artificial ankle joint.

Ankle replacement surgery greatly improves function for people (especially senior) who cannot perform everyday activities without severe pain. Rheumatoid arthritis, osetoarthritis and previous injuries are the most common causes of this pain.

In the past, the “gold standard” for treating these problematic patients was a fusion, or arthrodesis, in which the joint is removed and the bones are fused, which would take away the pain, but left the ankle immobile.

Americans will likely see more ankle replacements in the future, with more implants currently available and FDA approved.

The age range for ankle replacement surgery is typically people in their 40s through 60s, although older individuals who are “physiologically young” may also be good candidates.  Total ankle replacement surgery has also been done on people from 38 to 83 years of age with great success, despite the age differences.

An ankle replacement takes about two hours. After making an incision on the front portion of the ankle, the ankle replacement surgeon removes the arthritic bone and cartilage from the tibia (leg portion of the ankle) and talus (foot portion of the ankle). The ankle implant – two metal components and a plastic spacer – is inserted to form a new ankle joint with smoother motion.

What can you expect from a total ankle replacement? Many people enjoy improved function of their ankle, with pain-free weight bearing and range of motion. Ankle implants generally last at least a decade and experts believe that will improve with today’s technologically advanced prostheses and surgical techniques.

In the late 1990s, only one ankle prosthesis was FDA approved in the U.S. However, today, ankle replacement doctors can select from four FDA-approved prostheses.

For those who meet the criteria for this type of medical procedure, total ankle replacement surgery has advantages over previous treatments for severe ankle pain. To find out if you would be a good candidate for ankle replacement, contact an experienced ankle replacement doctor today.

Remember, any type of foot pain is never normal. A foot and ankle doctor can examine your feet and give you the best course of action.

Please call 626-447-2184 (Arcadia) or 310-551-1711 (Century City) to speak to a foot and ankle specialist about your foot and/or ankle needs.

Causes and Treatment For Brachymetatarsia (Short Toe Syndrome)

Brachymetatarsia (or short toe syndrome) is when one, or more, of the bones in the front of the foot is much shorter than the others. This foot condition may affect any of the five toe bones (metatarsals), but it usually happens to the fourth.

(picture by seasonstogrow.blogspot.com)

Looking at the foot, it might appear that the fourth toe itself is shorter than the other toes. It may even appear as if the fourth toe is raised up, with the third and fifth toes touching each other below it.

Brachymetatarsia happens when metatarsal bone growth shuts down early. Basically what happens is the growth plate closes and the bone cannot grow. Underlying factors my be due to hereditary or by external foot injuries.

Beyond concerns about the toe’s appearance, the shortened metatarsal may not contact the ground properly or carry its share of  body weight, resulting in pain and discomfort. Yes, our very small toes play a big role is carrying body weight!

Since the 4th metatarsal is shorter in length than the 5th one, it cannot support the weight of the body properly.  So then the 3rd and the 5th metatarsals are weighed down by excessive pressure. This increased weight-bearing load may lead to pain, skin lesions, and fractures of the metatarsals. Problems related with footwear may also happen.  People can’t wear the shoes they want.

This foot condition has a few treatment options, which you should discuss with an experienced foot and ankle doctor. One way to help the pain is by using orthotics and or by wearing shoes that accommodate the shortened toe.

Surgery is an option to increase the length of the shortened metatarsal bone. One way is by bone grafting the shortened metatarsal in order to add length. An experienced brachymetatarsia surgeon can tell you if this is the best way to go.

Another surgical method is where pins of an external fixation device are drilled into the short metatarsal that is cut, and the external fixation is manipulated gradually over time allowing lengthening of the metatarsal as the bone heals and strengthens.

In some cases,  brachymetatarsia pain, and may be treated with careful shoe selection. In others, surgical treatment may be required. People with brachymetatarsia should contact a foot and ankle specialist to find out what their best options are.

Remember, any type of foot pain is never normal. A foot and ankle doctor can examine your feet and give you the best course of action.

Please call 626-447-2184 (Arcadia) or 310-551-1711 (Century City) to speak to a foot and ankle specialist about your foot and/or ankle needs.

How to Prevent Barefoot Injuries

This spring, millions of Americans will go barefoot, but thousands will suffer barefoot injuries such as cuts, puncture wounds and possibly infections.

(picture by http://blu.stb.s-msn.com)

The best way to protect feet and toes from injury is to wear shoes, but if your spring wouldn’t be the same without the sand between your toes or walking in your backyard barefoot, then foot and ankle doctors say you can keep your feet safer by simply following these tips:

If you suffer a puncture wound, then you need to see a foot and ankle surgeon as soon as possible and have it treated. Puncture wounds injuries can embed dirty foreign objects deep inside the foot.

A puncture wound must be cleaned properly and monitored throughout the healing process. This will help you avoid tissue and bone infections and/or damage to tendons and muscles in the foot. Foot and ankle doctors are the best physicians to treat this type of foot injury.

Make sure you’ve been vaccinated against tetanus. Foot and ankle specialists recommend teens and adults get a booster shot every 10 years. Cuts and puncture wounds, anywhere on the body including the foot, from sharp objects can lead to infections and illnesses such as tetanus.

Apply sunscreen to the tops and bottoms of your feet, because feet can get sunburn too. Rare, but deadly, skin cancers can develop on the feet. You don’t want to become another statistic.

Have a foot and ankle doctor inspect your feet and your children’s feet on a routine basis for skin problems such as warts, calluses, ingrown toenails and suspicious moles, spots or freckles. The earlier a skin condition is detected, the easier it is for your foot and ankle surgeon to treat it.

You should always wear flip-flops or sandals around swimming pools, locker rooms and beaches to avoid cuts and abrasions from rough anti-slip surfaces and sharp objects hidden beneath sandy beaches, and to prevent contact with bacteria and viruses that can cause athlete’s foot, plantar warts, and other problems.

Every year, people lose toes while mowing the lawn barefoot. Others suffer serious burns from accidentally stepping on stray campfire coals or fireworks. Murky rivers, lakes and ponds can conceal sharp objects underwater. People with diabetes should never go barefoot, even indoors, because their nervous system may not “feel” an injury and their circulatory system will struggle to heal breaks in the skin.

For more information on foot care for people with diabetes, check out our earlier post: How to Prevent Foot Problems If You Have Diabetes.

Remember, any type of foot pain is never normal. A foot and ankle doctor can examine your feet and give you the best course of action.

Please call 626-447-2184 (Arcadia) or 310-551-1711 (Century City) to speak to a foot and ankle specialist about your foot and/or ankle needs.