Sprains, Fractures
& Sports Injuries |
General Information |
We treat a number of injuries to the foot and ankle. All doctors are
sports medicine specialists and treatments from casting to surgery
can be offered, depending on the injury and status of each patient.
We have x-ray capabilities in each office and can usually get MRI’S
done in 24 hours, if needed. We are also associated with some of the
finest physical therapy practices in the area and understand the need for rehabilitation after injuries for quick return
to your normal routine. |
Common Foot Injuries |
Achilles Tendinitis
Ankle Sprain
Broken Ankle
Fractures
Osteochondritis (stiff ankle)
Sports Injuries
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Achilles Tendinitis |
The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the human body and can
withstand forces of 1,000 pounds or more. But it also the most frequently
ruptured tendon.
Both professional and weekend athletes can suffer from Achilles
tendinitis, a common overuse injury and inflammation of the tendon.
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Events that can cause Achilles tendinitis may include: |
• Hill running or stair climbing.
• Overuse resulting from the natural lack of flexibility in
the calf muscles.
• Rapidly increasing mileage or speed.
• Starting up too quickly after a layoff.
• Trauma
caused by sudden and/or hard contraction of the calf muscles when
putting out extra effort such as in a final sprint.
Achilles tendinitis often begins with mild pain after exercise or
running that gradually worsens.
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Other symptoms include: |
• Recurring localized pain,
sometimes severe, along the tendon during or a few hours after running.
• Morning tenderness about an inch and a half above the point
where the Achilles tendon is attached to the heel bone.
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Sluggishness in your leg.
• Mild or severe swelling.
• Stiffness that generally diminishes as the tendon warms up
with use.
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Treatment normally includes: |
• A bandage specifically designed
to restrict motion of the tendon.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
medication.
• Orthoses, which are devices to help support
the muscle and relieve stress on the tendon such as a heel pad or
shoe insert.
• Rest, and switching to another exercise,
such as swimming, that does not stress the tendon.
• Stretching,
massage, ultrasound and appropriate exercises to strengthen the weak
muscle group in front of the leg and the upward foot flexors.
In extreme cases, surgery is performed to remove the fibrous tissue
and repair any tears.
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Ankle Sprain |
An ankle sprain is a common walking and sporting injury. It can be
a very painful experience and can significantly affect a patient’s
lifestyle. It occurs due to the ankle twisting and causing damage
to the soft tissues and ligaments. A ligament consists of several
strands of tissue all compacted together to form a strong structure,
similar to a rope. An ankle sprain may result in a partial or complete
tear of a ligament, which stabilizes the ankle joint. Once the ligament
is torn, it becomes weak which in turn affects ankle stability.
The degree in which the ankle stability is affected is dependent upon
the level of the tear. When an ankle sprain occurs, the usual scenario
involves the athlete "rolling" his or her ankle while landing
from a jump or running followed by a sharp pain on the outside of
the ankle. |
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An audible "pop" or "snap" may accompany
the injury, which sometimes signals ligamentous rupture. If the athlete
can walk on the injured ankle, the likelihood of a serious injury
is less, but athletic participation should be discontinued. Shoes
should be kept on until examination and treatment. Symptoms include
a swollen, painful ankle with possible bruising due to ruptured blood
vessels. |
Causes of Ankle Sprains |
A sudden twist of an ankle may be caused due to: -
• Sports
• A biomechanical condition (an abnormality with a patients
walking pattern)
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Treatment |
• Apply ice to the area straight
away
• You may need x-rays depending on the severity of
the ankle sprain
• Do not follow any other treatment regimes
until a diagnosis is confirmed by a doctor
• The R.I.C.E
theory should be used, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation
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The recovery time is usually between 3-7 weeks; however; the swelling
may last for a few months
• Ins severe cases surgery may
be necessary to repair tendons around the ankle joint
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Sports orthotics and Insoles can provide stability and control inorder
to prevent future occurrences of an ankle sprain
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Broken Ankle |
During the past 30 years, doctors have noted an increase in the number
and severity of broken ankles, due in part to an active, older population
of "baby boomers," according to the American Academy of
Orthopedic Surgeons.
The ankle has two joints, one on top of the other. A broken ankle
can involve one or more bones, as well as injuring the surrounding
connecting tissues or ligaments.
Any one of the three bones that make up the ankle joint could break
as the result of a fall, an automobile accident or some other trauma
to the ankle. A broken ankle may also cause damage to the ligaments.
Because a severe sprain can often mask the symptoms of a broken
ankle, every injury to the ankle should be examined.
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Symptoms of a broken ankle include: |
• Bruising.
• Deformity,
particularly if there is a dislocation as well as a fracture.
• Immediate and severe pain.
• Inability to put any
weight on the injured foot.
• Swelling.
• Tender
to the touch.
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Treatment |
Options include a leg cast or brace if the fracture is stable. If
the ligaments are also torn, or if the fracture created a loose fragment
of bone that could irritate the joint, surgery may be required to
"fix" the bones together so they will heal properly. |
Fractures |
Nearly one-fourth of all the bones in your body is in your feet. A
broken (fractured) bone in your forefoot or in one of your toes is
often painful but rarely disabling. Most of the time, these injuries
heal without operative treatment. Types of fractures include stress
fractures and general bone fractures.
Stress fractures frequently occur in the bones of the forefoot
extending from your toes to the middle of your foot. Stress fractures
are like tiny cracks in the bone surface. They can occur with sudden
increases in training (such as running or walking for longer distances
or times), improper training techniques or changes in training surfaces.
Most other types of fractures extend through the bone. They may
be stable, in which there is no shift in bone alignment, or displaced,
in which the bone ends no longer line up properly. These fractures
usually result from trauma, such as dropping a heavy object on your
foot, or from a twisting injury. If the fractured bone does not
break through the skin, it is called a closed fracture. Several
types of fractures occur to the forefoot bone on the side of the
little toe (fifth metatarsal).
An ankle-twisting injury may tear the tendon that attaches to this
bone and pull a small piece of the bone away. A more serious injury
in the same area is a Jones fracture, which occurs near the base
of the bone and disrupting the blood supply to the bone. This injury
may take longer to heal or require surgery. Symptoms include pain,
swelling, and sometimes bruising.
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Osteochondritis Dessicans (stiff ankle) |
These are lesions that usually cause pain and stiffness of the ankle
joint and affects all age groups. Often, osteochondritis usually follow
a twisting type injury to the ankle.
Osteochondritis may cause swelling and ankle pain. When immobilization
of the injury doesn`t alleviate the problem, surgery is sometimes
prescribed. The procedures usually involves removing the loose fragment
of cartilage and bone from the ankle joint and placing small drill
holes in the defect. The drill holes stimulate new blood vessels
to fill the area and help form scar tissue to fill the defect.
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Sport Injuries |
Aerobics |
Proper shoes are crucial to successful, injury-free aerobics. Shoes
should provide sufficient cushioning and shock absorption to compensate
for pressure on the foot many times greater than found in walking.
They must also have good medial-lateral stability. Impact forces from
aerobics can reach up to six times the force of gravity, which is
transmitted to each of the 26 bones in the foot. |
Team Sports |
Activities such as football, basketball, soccer, field hockey and
lacrosse often lead to ankle and big toe joint injuries as a result
of play on artificial surfaces. We will work with you to diagnose and solve these problems. |
Turf toe |
Big toe injuries also called "turf toe," often result from
hyperextension of the big toe joint as the heel is raised off the
ground. An external force is placed on the great toe and the soft
tissue structures that support the big toe on the top are torn or
ruptured.
Symptoms include pain, tenderness and swelling of the toe joint.
Often there is a sudden acute onset of pain during push-off phase
of running. Usually, the pain is not enough to keep the athlete
from physical activities or finishing a game. This causes further
injury to the big toe and will dramatically increase the healing
time.
Treatment includes rest, ice, compression, and equipment modification
or change. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be
used for relief of minor pain as well as to decrease the inflammation
of the injury. Consult your physician before taking any medication.
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