Iowa State basketball player, Georges Niang, has broken Foot

March Madness is an exciting time of year where basketball excitement flourishes. Sadly, Friday evening, and Iowa State basketball player, Georges Niang, broke his right foot. Typically, foot fractures take 6-8 weeks to heal, so this means that Niang will be out for the remainder of the 2014 season (and March Madness). A fracture or break in a bone of the foot can be diagnosed with an x-ray, but occasionally, MRI or CT scans may be needed to visualize the injury. Immobilization or surgery are the two forms of treatment for foot fractures. Additionally, bone stimulators may be needed to assist with healing, and physical therapy may be needed after the area is healed to reduce pain, swelling, and improve function. If you have a foot injury, it is important to get it checked out. Call us for an exam, 708-763-0580.

Afraid to get your Foot Checked?

Often, patients tell me they have put off getting their feet checked. Some say they figured the problem would go away. Some say they didn't think it was a big deal. Finally, some say that they were scared what I (the foot doctor) would say! I always tell people that coming into the office and getting an exam (and possibly x-rays) is the best way to get good information about their feet. Most conditions have a variety of conservative, nonsurgical treatment options. Better yet, patients often have many choices about what treatment plans work into their schedules or with their lives. For example, plantar fasciitis, a common cause of heel pain, can be treated with ice, stretching, medication, physical therapy, a night splint, strapping, orthotic devices, and walking boots. These are all good, conservative and non-painful options to get the heel feeling better! Greater than ninety percent of people with heel pain get better through conservative care. Obviously, there are situations where injections or surgery may be indicated. There are also situations where immobilization is required: fractures, tendon or ligament tears, and post operative patients. The good news is that seeing a foot doctor will give you good information about your feet! You can get recommendations about what will help with healing, and YOU (the patient) will have many good options for getting better! The foot is a complicated structure, with 28 bones, and numerous muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels. Make your appointment today to start feeling better TODAY! Dr. Bender, 708-763-0580, 6931 W. North Ave., Oak Park, IL, 60302.

What is this soft bump on the top of my FOOT? Ganglion Cysts...

Recently, you noticed a soft bump on the top of your foot. It bothers you when a shoe rubs on it but maybe not the rest of the time. You do not know what caused this condition. One possible diagnosis is a ganglion cyst. This is a soft tissue mass that forms from a joint or tendon that is in an area of friction, repetitive motion, or was mildly injured. Additionally, some people with a history of these may be more likely to form more of them. The cyst is typically filled with fluid or gelatinous material, and it is soft. It may get smaller and then refill with fluid if pressure is applied to it. MRI and diagnostic ultrasound tests are the best ways (other than surgical excision) to identify what type of cells are in the cyst. Treatments can include any of the following: watching the mass for any changes, padding, different shoes, and surgical excision. There is a high recurrence rate with surgical excision. Ganglion cysts are benign lesions. If you have a bump on your foot, get it diagnosed at Advanced Physical Medicine. Call for your appointment with Dr. Bender, 708-763-0580.

Frieberg's Disease-What is it?

Each toe on the foot has a corresponding metatarsal bone, which is a longer bone that attaches the toes to the foot (along with various muscles, ligaments, and tendons). The second metatarsal bone is typically the longest metatarsal bone and also the one that moves the least with standing and walking. This predisposes it to some problems, and one of these issues is Freiberg's disease. The blood supply to the top or head of this bone can be disrupted, causing pain, bone changes, stiffness, and swelling. Patients may have the symptoms at rest or with activity, and teenage girls are the most common group to develop this condition. A combination of the length of this metatarsal, its lack of mobility, and persistent and repetitive microtrauma (running, marching, jumping are good examples) are the common causes. Conventional x-rays are taken to look at the contour of the bone, but MRI or CT scans may be necessary for an accurate diagnosis of this condition. Treatments typically include rest, immobilization, orthotics, shoegear changes, and on occasion, surgery. If you have foot pain, give us a call at 708-763-0580.

Heel Pain and Stress Fractures of the Calcaneus

One of the most common causes of heel pain is plantar fasciitis, where the band on the bottom of the foot becomes inflamed. This typically causes pain in the area after rest, and the pain will get better after taking some steps. However, there are other causes of heel pain. One of the other causes of heel pain is a stress fracture of the heel bone or calcaneus. This happened to a friend of mine while she was training for the Chicago marathon last summer, and with improved weather conditions in the next few months, it is something to consider as people increase their outdoor activities. The calcaneus or heel bone is a large and complicated bone just under the ankle. It is very strong but also undergoes a lot of stress and pressure with running, jumping, and even walking. On occasion, this bone can develop a stress fracture (a hairline type of fracture or break), which will cause nagging pain that does not improve. There may be pain to touch, swelling, and difficulty with walking and exercise. This injury can be caused by improper training or improper shoegear, weak bone density, continued microtrauma (marching, running, jumping), obesity, trauma, and biomechanical issues. Conventional x-rays may be taken to look at the bone structure of the calcaneus, but often, more advanced radiological studies like CT or MRI studies may be needed to identify the fracture. Stress fractures frequently cannot be identified in the bones of the foot for at least 21 days on conventional x-rays, and sometimes, they are never visible on x-rays because the break is so thin. Treatments include the following: rest, immobilization, elevation, and avoiding the activity that may have caused the injury. After healing, physical therapy, new shoegear, and orthotic devices may be needed to transition the patient back to normal life and exercising. If you have heel pain, call Dr. Bender at Advanced Physical Medicine, 6931 W. North Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. 708-763-0580. advancedphysicalmedicine.org and oakparkpodiatry.com

Minimalist Running Shoes

The February 2014 issue of Podiatry Today highlights several studies about an increased rate of injury for runners who use minimalist running shoes. The most common types of injuries these runners can get include the following: metatarsal bone injuries such as stress fractures, inflammation around nerves (neuromas), capsulitis (thin filmy structure around the joint), and injury to the two circular sesmoid bones under the big toe joint. These injuries are all in the forefoot or area in the front of the foot around the toes. There is also an increased risk of tendon issues around the ankle and foot involving the Achilles tendon, anterior tibial tendon, and posterior tibial tendon. The study points out that a gradual transition to these types of shoes is essential if a runner want to try them. www.podiatrytoday.com If you have a foot problem, we can help! Call Advanced Physical Medicine for an appointment with Dr. Bender, 708-763-0580.

More Snow!

Due to the severe weather, the podiatry clinic is cancelled for tonight. Sorry! 2/17/14