What is a Stress Fracture of my foot?

The foot is made up of 28 bones and many soft tissue structures (tendons, muscles, nerves, ligaments). A stress fracture is a hair line or small crack in a bone. Usually, the condition has foot swelling and pain associated with it. The foot is a common place for stress fractures because it is used for weightbearing. Additionally, repeated microtrauma (marching, running, walking, dancing, etc)is a typical cause of foot stress fractures. Stress fractures may not be visible on a normal x-ray for 21 days and advanced tests such as MRI may be necessary along with a clinical exam to diagnose a stress fracture. Stress fractures require immobilization in a surgery shoe or boot and often take 6-8 weeks to heal if treated promptly. Some stress fractures are not immediately diagnosed because the patient does not remember any specific injury or event that caused the fracture. Thus, they often wait to see if the condition will get better on its own and delay their doctor's appointment. Dr. Bender 708-763-0580

What is the Achilles Tendon? Jason Grilli of the Braves Injures his Achilles Tendon

The Achilles Tendon is a thick tissue that connects the muscles in the calf to the back of the heel bone or calcaneus. Jason Grilli of the Braves recently injured his Achilles tendon while racing off the mound trying to cover first base. Abnormal movements and trauma are ways that the tendon can be irritated, torn, or ruptured. If you have pain in the back of your heel, it is important to seek treatment with a podiatrist. A clinical exam, x-ray, and potentially, an MRI will be needed to diagnose your condition and develop a treatment plan.

What is the Plantar Fascia?

The Plantar Fascia is a thick band of soft tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. It begins at the heel bone or calcaneus and extends to an area around the base of the toes. The plantar fascia has three bands: medial, central, and lateral. It can easily become irritated, and this condition is called plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis can be the cause of heel or arch pain in some people. If you have foot pain, give us a call at 708-763-0580. Dr. Bender, 6931 W. North, Oak Park, IL 60302