Peyton Manning and Tear of Plantar Fascia

Denver Bronco Superstar, Peyton Manning, is injured right now and unable to play due to a reported tear of his plantar fascia. Yesterday, he was seen walking on the field in a walking cast. The plantar fascia is a band that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel to the bones just before the toes. The plantar fascia is often associated with heel pain, and it can be aggravated after rest when it is inflamed, a condition called plantar fasciitis. However, a tear may also develop in the plantar fascia, which can cause some pain after rest, but also pain with weight bearing (walking, standing, running, etc). Thus, patients that have pain that is aggravated by walking and gets worse with activity or as the day goes on, may have a tear of the plantar fascia. Tears of this band can be caused by repetitive trauma (running, jumping, etc), sudden trauma (twisting the foot, falling, etc), poor shoe gear, poor foot mechanics, and other things. Immobilization for six to eight weeks in a walking boot or cast often works well for this condition. A course of physical therapy is often needed after immobilization. If you have foot pain that is not improving, give us a call! 708-763-0580.

Gout and Thanksgiving

The holiday season has arrived, and this is the time for delicious food and festivities. Often, people wake up over the upcoming, post-Thanksgiving weekend with a swollen, painful, hot big toe joint. They do not recall any injury or problems with the feet over the holiday and wonder what could have caused this. Gout! Gout is an arthritic condition that affects joints. The big toe joint of the foot is the most common location, but other joints can be involved. Certain foods have high levels of purines, which can cause increased uric acid in the blood stream, and this can cause a flare up of gout. Holiday foods, such as red meat, organ meat, game, cheese, leafy green vegetables, shrimp, beer, wine, and others can lead to a gouty flare. Additionally, being male, a post menopausal woman, or taking certain prescription drugs, can increase your chances of devleoping gout along with the diet full of foods that increase uric acid levels in the body when metabolized. If you have foot pain over the holidays, give us a call! 708-763-0580. Dr. Bender

Diabetic Foot Ulcerations and Diabetes Awareness Month

Patients with diabetes are at higher risk for foot ulcerations. This means that an area of skin may open up and have difficulty healing. Poor circulation, lack of sensation, bony prominences, and poor immunity make diabetics more predisposed to foot ulcers. It is important as a diabetic to check your feet daily for any changes, such as blisters, openings, cuts, or thick callouses. Even small changes, like areas of redness, can suggest a pressure point that may cause an ulcer later. Thus, it is important to notify your podiatrist or doctor if you notice the slightest change on the feet. Ulcerations on the feet are often treated with a variety of things: wound care (bandages and medications), blood sugar control, antibiotics if infected, walking boots, shoes, or casts, and nutrition. Bloodwork, x-rays or MRI exams, and blood flow studies may be needed to gather more information about the health of the foot. Additionally, consultations with vascular surgeons, neurologists, endocrinologists, wound care specialists, and other doctors may be necessary to offer adequate treatment. If you have an opening on your foot and are diabetic, it is essential to see a foot specialist immediately for a consultation and plan for healing the wound. Dr. Bender, 708-763-0580

Diabetes Awareness Month 2016 and Circulation

Diabetes affects many parts of the body, and that is why it is important to keep up with your health. At your podiatry visit, the foot doctor will check many things, and one of those is the circulation or blood flow to the feet. Diabetes, and other conditions, can reduce circulation. The podiatry exam includes a check of the pulses to the feet, temperature of the feet, skin changes, nail changes, hair growth, vein changes, and other things. If there is a problem with the blood flow to the feet, it can affect the ability to walk for certain distances, can make the feet or legs feel heavy, can decrease healing, can cause pain, can cause ulcers to develop, and other issues. Thus, it is important to get your feet checked regularly if you have diabetes to make sure that the blood flow is adequate. Dr. Bender, 708-763-0580

Dez Bryant of the Cowboys Using Orthotics after Foot Surgery

While watching the Dallas Cowboys play yesterday, I enjoyed the game announcers discussion about Dallas Cowboy, Dez Bryant, and his recent foot surgery. Dez Bryant sustained a fifth metatarsal fracture, which was surgically treated. According to the announcers, he is now in orthotics for both feet. Orthotic devices are designed to support the foot, control abnormal motion, protect areas of the foot, and to accommodate things like limb length deformities and other structural deformities. Custom molded orthotic devices are only designed for the individual person, as they are made from custom casts or computer scans. Additionally, special shoe gear may be necessary to protect the surgical site, and according to the reports during NFL Sunday, Dez Bryant also had special shoes to go with his new orthotics. Orthotic devices can help a wide range of foot issues: fatigue, arch pain, plantar fasciitis, tendinitis, neuromas, neuritis, flat feet, high arched feet, bunions, hallux limitus, and other conditions.