Find Out Why You May Have Foot Pain

Our feet are often used and abused, and only thought of when they bother us. If you have foot pain, it is worth reviewing some common injuries to find out how they happen and to learn the right way to handle them. The following are common foot injuries that New York foot specialist, Dr. Tejas Pandya treats on a regular basis:

Ankle sprain – This injury is often unavoidable as even a small wrong step could lead to a twisting of the ankle. Pain, swelling and bruising usually follow a sprain but the degree of damage can be more than you realize. This makes it important to have it looked at to ensure you get the right treatment.

Plantar fasciitis – If you have pain when you step on the floor in the morning, you may have plantar fasciitis. This happens when the tissues that run along the bottom of your foot become irritated and inflamed. It can get worse over time, so have it diagnosed and treated early.

Fracture – This is a break in a bone. Feet are exposed to a lot of stress, especially if you are an athlete, making them vulnerable to these injuries. There are general bone fractures and stress fractures. The latter is important to highlight as it can often go untreated. Increasing training too quickly or wearing the wrong footwear can lead to tiny cracks in your bone. If you have foot pain, the possibility of a fracture is a primary reason for having it addressed.

At the end of the day, if you have any kind of nagging foot pain, have it checked. Whether it has just started, has developed over time or if self-care for an injury isn’t working, we can help. Dr. Pandya can diagnose the reason for your pain and provide the treatment to get rid of it. Make an appointment with Capital District Podiatry today by calling (518) 273-0053. 

New York Giants’ Prince Amukamara Suffers Ankle Sprain

Prince Amukamara, cornerback for the New York Giants, has recently suffered a mild sprain to his high ankle. The injury occurred during a recent pre-season game against the Chicago Bears. The injury took place with less than five minutes left in the first quarter of the game and Amukamara had to be carted off the field. He is now expected to be out for at least the next several weeks.

With Amukamara out, the Giants are worried about defending their title in this year’s Super Bowl. The timing could not be worse considering the injury took place less than two weeks before the regular season begins. Their starting cornerback, Amukamara, will certainly be out for their first game against the Dallas Cowboys taking place on September 5th.

The injury was originally thought to be a fracture but x-rays showed that it was a high ankle sprain. Ankle sprains result from unnatural motions that often twist the ankle bones and force them out of their proper and comfortable position in your foot. Ankle sprains occur when the ankle is forced out of its natural positioning. It results in severe stretching of the ankle’s ligaments. In more serious sprains the ligaments can actually tear or rip completely.

Since the injury appears mild, Amukamara may recover quickly and be able to return to the regular season without missing too many games. Ankle sprains should not be taken lightly, treated immediately and given the proper time to heal. If an ankle sprain does not receive proper treatment in a timely manner it can result in severe pain, swelling bruising, and even long-term issues with the injured foot. You should ice and elevate the injury as needed in order to relieve pain and swelling. Ankle sprains should also be properly wrapped with compressive bandages to prevent mobility of the ankle during the healing process. Serious sprains, or those left untreated, may require surgery.

When it comes to injuries, just like in sports, your best defense is a good offense. Therefore you should take the proper steps to prevent ankle sprains from occurring. Conduct a proper warm-up and cool-down routine that incorporate your feet in order to maintain the strength of your ankles and increase your balance and flexibility. Remember to stretch throughout the day, exercise for at least 30 minutes every day and purchase properly fitting footwear. If you experience an ankle sprain, contact our office at (518) 273-0053 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tejas Pandya.

References:

http://www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com/library/1736/AnkleSprain.html
http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/8301173/new-york-giants-cb-prince-amukamara-suffers-high-ankle-sprain

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Lower Limb Surgery

Prevention, proper care, and time for injuries to heal are all important aspects in protecting your feet and ankles. Improper care can lead to more serious injuries, which can result in surgery. That word can sound scary, but surgery is sometimes your best option in keeping your feet and ankles safe and healthy.

Dr. Tejas Pandya has broken down a few foot and ankle surgeries so that you can know the facts and understand how to prevent injuries from becoming severe. They include:

• Heel Spur Surgery: Heel spurs most commonly arise from wearing improper shoes, repetitive stress upon your feet, or as an overuse injury. Heel spurs deserve proper care, but sometimes surgery is necessary as a last resort. Heel spurs can be severely painful to the point where it may affect your daily activities, but surgery can help relieve the pain. Like with most surgeries, the heel will need time to rest and recover. During this time period you should refrain from bearing weight upon your heal in order for the tissue to heal properly.

• Bunion Surgery: Bunions refer to growths that occur on the base of your big toe. Bunions often occur due to ill-fitting shoes, and that is why it is always important to try on shoes before every purchase and never wear shoes that are too small. Most bunions are painless and can be treated without surgery, but in extreme cases it can be necessary. Surgery can help relieve pain and restore mobility in rare cases so that you can resume your typical routine. After surgery your toe should remain wrapped and you should avoid bearing weight on your foot for several days.

• Ankle Fracture Surgery: If you severely fracture your ankle to the point where the ankle joint has become displaced and unstable. Ankle fracture surgery corrects the alignment of either the medial malleolus, which is the bone located on the inside of your ankle, or the outer bone known as the fibula. Your ankle is sensitive and damage to it can lead to uneven weight distribution, the loss of mobility, and even arthritis. It is always important to treat ankle injuries immediately and allow the injury proper time to heal and rest before becoming physically active once again. You want to make sure to prevent further injury and permanent damage.

In order to reduce your risk for surgery it’s important to take precautionary methods to prevent injuries from occurring. If an injury does occur proper care and time to heal is necessary to prevent surgery. If you have suffered an injury to your foot or ankle contact our office at (518) 273-0053 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tejas Pandya.

References:

http://www.heel-that-pain.com/heel_spur/surgery/heel_spurs_surgery.php
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00140
http://www.footeducation.com/ankle-fracture-surgery

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Protect Your Feet from Common Running Injuries

Running can be a great way to stay fit and healthy, while taking time to be alone with your thoughts and of course experience some awesome endorphins. However, if you are a runner you know the serious toll the sport can have on your entire body. As a runner you need to take special care of your overall health and of course your feet.

Unfortunately, runners are at risk for many different injuries.  However, the best way to prevent an injury from occurring is to know the facts.  Dr. Tejas Pandya has come up with a list of common foot injuries.  They include the following:

• Plantar Fasciitis: This condition can cause severe inflammation on the plantar fascia. The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that branches from the heel to the bottom of your foot and then down to your toes. Plantar fasciitis is usually caused from excessive stress on the bottom of the foot, like that associated with running. You can prevent plantar fasciitis by stretching before and after all of your runs, wearing proper running shoes and changing your exercise routine gradually.

• Achilles Tendonitis: This is a very common injury for runners. It is classified by inflammation that occurs in the Achilles tendon, which reaches from the back of your lower calf all the way down to your heel. You can prevent Achilles tendonitis by stretching and investing in orthotics. Achilles tendonitis is most commonly caused by stiffness in your muscles.

• Morton’s Neuroma: This ailment is defined by inflammation in your forefoot. It most commonly occurs in your third and fourth toes. It may also be associated with a pain in the ball of your foot and either sharp pains or numbness in your toes.  Morton’s neuroma is commonly caused by ill-fitting shoes. You can prevent this painful foot condition by wearing the proper size shoes that are specific to the running and always remembering to wear socks.

• Stress Fracture: A stress fracture in one of your feet is very common among runners due to the repetitive stress put on your feet. Stress fractures can be associated with severe pain and swelling that will only increase without proper treatment. You can prevent a stress fracture by replacing worn-out or poor fitting shoes and allowing your feet days of rest in between intense workouts.

All injuries should be treated by resting, elevating the injured foot or ankle, applying ice as needed to reduce swelling and inflammation, and seeking medical attention. If you experience a foot, or ankle related running injury, contact our office at (518) 273-0053 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tejas Pandya.

Resources:

http://www.apma.org/runninginjuries

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Ankle fractures, not just for athletes anymore!

D.C. United’s midfielder, Danny Cruz, was given a sideline diagnosis of a fractured ankle during a game with the Charleston Battery earlier this season. X-Rays taken later that night did not support the premature diagnosis, but it just goes to show you how quickly these injuries can occur, especially during high intensity soccer games. Cruz was benched with two badly bruised ankles after being hit by an opponent.

Elsewhere on the fractured ankle front, on March 15 rapper “Childish Gambino,” was unable to perform at the MTV Woodie Awards because of an ankle fracture sustained during a high energy performance.

Three bones and numerous tendons and ligaments form the ankle so it is important to have an ankle injury evaluated by your podiatrist. Early symptoms include:

    •    Sudden pain

    •    Swelling

    •    Inability to bear weight

    •    Instability

    •    Tenderness when touched

Suffice it to say that due to multiple bones making up the ankle, a fracture can be simple to complex.  In order to diagnose correctly you will need a thorough examination, x-rays, and possibly even a CAT scan or an MRI. Treatment will vary, depending on the severity; however, your doctor’s expertise will guide the way.

Non-surgical treatment usually involves six weeks of immobilization and non-weight bearing inside of a short cast. Displaced fractures are more complex because the bones may be misaligned and require surgery and screw placement to put the bones back into position. While you are in the healing process, you will probably undergo intermittent x-rays, which will help your doctor evaluate your progress. Always listen to your doctor and follow their directions. Once you begin to regain some mobility in your ankle, physical therapy may be required. Your doctor may prescribe exercises for you to do at home, or send you to a therapist.  Either way, do your exercises and follow your strengthening program.  Age, health and whether or not you smoke may be contributing factors to your healing time.

So many variables to ankle injuries require an expert’s advice. If you are injured, call Dr. Pandya at (518) 237-0053 for an evaluation. He has the knowledge and capability to get you set straight. We would like to hear from you if you have a story about an ankle fracture - please comment below!

References:

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00391
http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/ankle-fracture

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