Jared Sullinger Stress Fracture of Foot

Jared Sullinger of the NBA Celtics will be sitting out for the remainder of the season due to a stress fracture of the foot. Stress fractures, also known as hairline breaks or fractures, are common in the foot and typically take 6-8 weeks to heal if properly and promptly diagnosed. Unfortunately, these fractures are not always diagnosed in a normal patient in a timely fashion because they may not be visible on conventional x-rays for up to twenty one days. For an elite athlete, if x-rays are negative, advanced imaging modalities like MRI and CT scans are often ordered immediately. Frequently, if a normal, non-athlete patient has pain over a bone that is not improving despite negative x-rays, an MRI or CT will eventually be ordered. This can cause a delay in diagnosis and treatment.

White Sox player, Chris Sale, has a Fractured Foot

News broke today that White Sox pitcher, Chris Sale, broke a bone on the outside of his foot while unloading something from his truck. Although the player said to the media that the injury was an ankle sprain, reports from the White Sox state that he has a fracture on the outside of the foot. Typically, fractures or breaks of the foot take 6-8 weeks to heal. The White Sox report that Sale will only be out for his particular injury for three weeks. A fracture or break of the foot is typically diagnosed with an exam by a foot doctor, x-rays, and occasionally more advanced tests like MRI or CT scans. A broken bone in the foot requires immobilization for protection (surgery shoe, boot, cast, and/or crutches), or occasionally, surgery. If you have injured your foot, give us a call! Dr. Bender, 6931 W. North Ave., Oak Park, IL, 60302. 708-763-0580, oakparkpodiatry.com

Cutting your own Toenails

Patients frequently come into the office with painful, ingrown toenails that they have tried to dig out. Often, trying to cut out the ingrown toenail yourself can make it worse, as a sharp edge or piece of nail will be left behind. This can lead to a cut in the surrounding skin and infection if left untreated. So, the question patients often ask me is how should they cut their own nails. My answer is that they should cut the toenails straight across and try not to dig out or remove an ingrown toenail, as this can make the problem worse. If you have a painful nail border, give us a call, so the nail edge can be properly removed with sterile instruments. Often the nail edge can be carefully removed with little pain. However, occasionally, the toe will need anesthesia for the border of the nail to be removed. Make your Feet Happy, and come visit us! Dr. Bender, 6931 W. North Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. 708-763-0580

SuperBowl 2015 and Toenail Fungus AD

The 2015 Super Bowl ads have been excellent, but the best one of all from a podiatry standpoint is for the drug Jublia that fights toenail fungus. Toenail fungus causes thick, discolored, crumbly, and misshaped toenails that can get worse over time. Give us a call to determine what treatment would be best for your fungal toenails. 708-763-0580 or oakparkpodiatry.com. Dr. Bender