Monday, December 12, 2011

Dallas Cowboys Player, Demarco Murray, has broken ankle

Many Dallas Cowboys football fans watched yesterday as player, DeMarco Murray, had to be helped off the field with an injury to his lower extremity. It was later determined that he had a broken ankle. Ankle breaks (also known as fractures) can be very serious injuries that may heal with immobilization or surgery. Often X-rays and more advanced modalities, such as CT scans and MRIs, are used to determine the severity of the injury and to determine what treatment plan is best.

If you have an injury to your foot or ankle, please contact Advanced Physical Medicine to make your appointment for a check up! 708-763-0580

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Why are my toenails thick, discolored, and loose?

There are several reasons why you have a loose or discolored toenail. This week, we will again discuss the most common cause-fungus.

You may have a condition called ONYCHOMYCOSIS or fungal toenails. There are a variety of causes of this condition: athlete’s foot, pedicures, trauma, or chronic conditions (diabetes, cancer, lupus, etc.). There are both topical and oral treatment options, and there are even over the counter medications that have good success rates. A toenail takes 9-12 months to grow out, even with treatment. None of the medications are 100 percent successful, but if no treatment is started, the condition can get worse. Unfortunately, the fungal toenails will not improve if left untreated.

It is important to see a podiatrist to assess whether you actually have a fungus in your toenail. Sometimes a biopsy of the nails needs to be taken to determine if there is actually fungus in the nail.

Next week, we will discuss other causes of loose and discolored nails.

Happy Holidays!

Dr. Bender, 708-763-0580

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Ben Roethlisberger Injures Ankle on Thursday Night Football

Many NFL fans watching in shock tonight as Ben Roethlisberger limped off the field this evening with an injury to his ankle. Although, preliminary X-Ray results show no broken bone, the ankle is a very complicated structure. The ankle is made up of the fibula, tibia, and talus bones, several ligaments that support both sides of the ankle, and several tendons that pass on all sides of the ankle. Thus, a bad fall or twist, as suffered tonight by the Steeler's quarterback, can injure any of these structures.

If you have an injury to your ankle while playing the sport of your choice, it is important to immediately incorporate RICE (rest, ice, compression/ace wrap, and elevation). Please see oakparkpodiatry.com or advancedphysicalmedicine.org for more information on ankle injuries.

Dr. Mary Ann Bender, 6931 W. North Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302, 708-763-0580