Posts Tagged ‘athletes’
Sunday, July 31st, 2011
Jeopardy’s Alex Trebek has ruptured his Achilles tendon while chasing a burglar down the hall at his San Francisco hotel. On Wednesday, July 27, Alex was using crutches before opening the final round of the National Geographic World Championship. Alex explained that a female burglar broke into his hotel room on July 26, at 2:30am while staying at the downtown Marriott when he and his wife were sleeping. Awakened by the intruder, he chased her down the hallway, but his Achilles tendon ripped, causing him to fall and bruise his other leg in the process. He is scheduled for surgery on Friday, July 29.
Rupturing or tearing of the Achilles tendon is a common condition. This typically occurs in an individual who sustains the rupture while playing sports, or perhaps from tripping. There is a vigorous contraction of the muscle and the tendon tears. The patient will often describe the sensation that someone or something has hit the back of the calf muscle. Pain is suddenly present, and although it is possible to walk, it is painful and the leg is weak. While it is possible to treat this ruptured tendon without surgery, this is never ideal since the maximum strength of the muscle and tendon never returns. Surgical correction of the ruptured tendon is necessary. The surgery is performed in order to regain the maximum strength of the Achilles, as well as the normal pushing off strength of the foot.
If you suspect you have an Achilles injury, you need to make an appointment ASAP with a podiatrist at Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center, LLP, with locations in Howell, Edison, and Monroe, New Jersey. At our office, you can receive all the care from pre operative to post operative treatment. Walking and exercise are very important after the surgery and a careful physical therapy program will be required. Having a physical therapist on site at our Howell office makes it convenient for you to receive the best care possible.
By Valerie Gregory, MSPT, CKTP
Tags: achilles tendon, achilles tendon tear, Affiliated Foot and Ankle Center, athletes, Exercise, foot injuries, physical therapy, sports injuries, valerie gregory
Posted in Exercise, General | 1 Comment »
Thursday, May 19th, 2011
A quick browse through the channels and you will see a variety of TV shows that suggests that America is obsessed with dancing. Some of the popular shows include Dancing with the Stars, America’s Best Dance Crew and So You Think You Can Dance? It’s true, whether you are dancing competitively or just for fun, dancing is pretty hot right now!
Dancing can be a great way to stay fit. For those who are currently watching Dancing with the Stars, it is hard not to notice how much the actress and fan favorite Kristie Alley has slimmed down. If running or going to the gym doesn’t hold your interest, dancing may be an activity that is worth looking into. It’s obvious that feet are very important to dancers. However, before you hit the dance floor or consider taking lessons, you should seriously take a good look at the health of your feet.
Since they spend a lot of time on their feet, dancers tend to have a variety of foot problems. Common problems include pain from overuse, foot fractures, and bunions and corns associated with poor fitting shoes. A newcomer to dancing may also experience tendonitis. Tendons are structures in your body that connect muscles to bone and there are many tendons in your feet. Tendonitis occurs when these structures get inflamed or damaged. The most common cause of tendonitis is overuse. Sometimes being new to exercise in general, let alone dancing, is enough to irritate tendons in your feet. Tendonitis is common in the 40-60 year old range because as we age our tendons lose flexibility. Common signs of tendonitis are pain when moving muscles and tendons, tenderness when the tendon is felt, and swelling of the tendon.
So should we all stop dancing? Of course not! Dancing can be a great way to stay in shape, but like any other activity, start slow if you are a beginner and know your limits. Since dancing depends a lot on foot health, another great idea is to go see your podiatrist before you begin taking lessons or if you experience foot pain while you are dancing. If you are in the New Jersey area, Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center, LLP with locations in Howell, Edison, and Monroe, NJ, is an excellent place to talk to podiatrists about foot issues associated with dancing. A podiatrist can give you a better explanation about the health of the foot tendons and, based on your foot type, which dance movements you should avoid to prevent injury. Don’t forget that the right dancing shoe is also very important. Your podiatrist may even suggest an orthotic (a special type of foot insole) that can help making dancing more comfortable.
Lets be honest; not everyone will be able to do the back flips and splits that are popular on the dancing shows. That is completely okay! There is a dance out there for every age group and comfort level! If you are able, go ahead and see if this exciting activity is for you. But remember to keep your feet healthy so that you can dance for as long as possible.
By Dr. Varun (Ben) Gujral
Tags: Affiliated Foot and Ankle Center, athlete, athletes, Bunions, dancing, dancing with the stars, Dr. Gujral, edison, fractures, monroe, proper footwear, sports injury
Posted in dancing, Exercise | No Comments »
Thursday, May 12th, 2011
This is an excellent question and one that we get asked routinely at Affiliated Foot and Ankle Center with locations in Howell, Edison, and Monroe, NJ.
The first thing to do is to contact your primary care physician and get a physical, and get a referral to see your podiatrist. Prior to starting any new training regimen, it is important to establish your fitness level and get your feet examined. It is important to establish your foot type and any limb length discrepancies prior to getting started. This way we are able to establish what type of shoes/brace(s) and/or orthotics you might need to help prevent injury.
I recently spoke with a friend of mine, John Reagan (brn2runcc@aol.com), who is a professional marathon runner/trainer for 15+ years. I mentioned that I personally wanted to train for a half marathon since the longest I have run recently was a 5K. The following is his guidelines for me (he learned of my fitness level and where I was at) personally. Please keep in mind that there is a difference between seeing your podiatrist and a professional marathon trainer. One will treat any foot and ankle ailments you might have prior to, during and after training as well as in the future as needed. The latter will coach/train you on how to prepare for the mental and physical (endurance, stamina, pacing) demands to accomplish your goals.
The following is the advice from my new coach on how to prepare for a half marathon:
“I would suggest your half marathon training would consist of running 4 days a week and starting with your long run of 5 miles and increasing your long run 1 mile every other week so if you give yourself 5 months (20 weeks) to train, start at 5 miles and cap your long run at 12 miles. The final month (4 weeks) consist of “tapering”, so your long run would go from 4 weeks prior to the race 12 miles; 3 weeks prior to the race 10 miles; 2 weeks prior to the race 8 miles and 1 week prior to the race 6 miles. The remaining 3 days you run a week, just focus on running distance as the most important thing is building a base and your endurance. Pick a day and run 1 mile less than your long run and the other two days running an easy 3 – 4 miles.”
This information is based off of his personal recommendation for me. For this reason, it is important to follow the guidelines above with the PCP and podiatrist, and then meet with a professional trainer. There are many variables to consider, and remember… this is a team effort. Don’t forget to subscribe to Runner’s World Magazine for more helpful tips and insights as well as getting the right pair of shoes. One shoe store I recommend locally runners is “Miles Ahead Sports” in Manasquan, NJ.
As a side note to this blog entry, there is a 5K race/walk taking place in Howell on Saturday, 6/4/11. Please visit www.TheRaceToEducate.com for more information or to register for the race.
By David Hunnicutt
Tags: Affiliated Foot and Ankle Center, athlete, athletes, Exercise, Exercising, howell, orthotics, proper footwear, runner, runners, running, running injury, shoes
Posted in Exercise, Footwear, shoes | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 12th, 2011
Serious runners agree that wearing the right shoe is very important. Wearing the wrong shoe can cause discomfort and even injuries. But what if wearing no shoes while running was an option? Common sense tells us that wearing shoes protect and support our feet. Believe it or not, some runners are now choosing to run without shoes. These runners believe that barefoot running provides several benefits such as reducing foot injuries, strengthening the feet, arches, and knees, and also providing the satisfying natural feeling of your feet on the ground. Do a search on the Internet and you will quickly discover that barefoot runners are very passionate about their decision to leave their shoes at home!
Barefoot running is just now becoming more popular in the United States, but Kenyan runners have competed barefoot in marathons for several years. Although Kenyan runners have had much success with barefoot running, podiatrists are not yet ready to give all patients the OK to run regularly barefoot. Even the most advanced runner in a safe environment can be the victim of an unexpected sharp rock. The benefits of barefoot running may seem tempting, but there is simply not enough research that compares the long term benefits and risks of running with and without shoes.
Barefoot running is not for everyone. For instance, diabetics and patients who experience numbness of the feet should ALWAYS wear proper shoes when running. If you want to know if barefoot running is a safe option for you, set up an appointment at the Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center, LLP. We can examine your feet and provide you with professional advice to help you make a better choice about barefoot running. The Affiliated Foot & Ankle Center, LLP has locations at Howell, Edison, and Monroe, New Jersey.
Remember, like most exercises, barefoot running is something that will require practice, so be patient and ease into the technique. Keep in mind that there are also new types of shoes such as Nike Free and Vibram Five Fingers that can give you that natural feeling without going shoeless. No matter how you feel about the subject now, barefoot running is certainly a trend to watch. With continued interest and more research, barefoot running may prove to be a safer, healthier, and cheaper alternative to running with shoes.
By Dr. Varun (Ben) Gujral
Tags: Affiliated Foot and Ankle Center, athletes, Dr. Varun (Ben) Gujral, edison, Exercise, foot injuries, foot injury, foot pain, monroe, proper footwear, runner, runners, sports injury
Posted in Footwear | No Comments »
Monday, February 7th, 2011
Living in the northeast and being surrounded by snowy, wet and slushy grounds, it is hard to find a shoe that fits for a change of environment. At Affiliated Foot and Ankle Center, LLP with locations in Howell, Edison and Monroe, we typically recommend a running shoe (example: New Balance or Asics) for post surgical and injured patients. Most patients complain because the slushy/icy pavement makes it uncomfortable and tough to walk with wet slippery sneakers. So what is the solution? Trail shoes.
Trail shoes are designed for rough and rocky trails, but it is the best shoe to wear for wet slippery terrain. Most trail shoes are waterproof and keep your feet dry in the cold wet weather. Trail shoes typically provide more protection than regular running shoes, with thicker soles to protect feet from rocks and debris, plus extra protection over the toebox or forefoot. For traction on varied terrain, rubber lugs on the outsole are usually deep and beefy, often with a multidirectional design for wet surfaces without slipping. Very deep lugs are designed for gripping, but make for less stability. Softer lugs are grippier, but wear faster than harder soles. Trail shoes usually have a wide and low profile so the foot is closer to the ground for more stability on irregular surfaces. Most trail shoes provide enough stability for people with mild overpronation, but severe overpronators may need some additional motion control. To correct overpronation, custom orthotics are recommended and can be supplied in our office. This would provide a firmer support for those who need extra help correcting their gait. Most people with a neutral gait or mild pronation can wear just about any trail shoe.
Picking the right shoe is one of the most important and toughest decisions people make. Having a hard enough time finding a comfortable shoe for an injured or abnormal foot, I recommend considering the following in evaluating shoes:
· Running stores are best for analyzing your gait. Even if the store doesn’t carry trail shoes, the expert staff at a running store can advise you on whether or not you need extra motion control. If you need help finding a running store in your area, your local podiatrist or foot & ankle surgeon can provide you with more information.
· Shop in late afternoon and wear typical socks. Feet can swell at least a half size during the day, so experts recommend trying on shoes in the late afternoon or evening. Socks also affect fit, so wear the socks you intend to wear with the shoes.
· Shoes should fit well right away. Shoes should feel comfortable right out of the box and recommend trying them on a carpeted surface
· Look for snug lacing. This is mostly a matter of individual preference.
· If you use orthotics, be sure the shoe is sufficiently roomy. Most trail shoes have removable insoles you can replace with custom orthotics, but roomier shoes let you place custom orthotics under the cushioning of the shoe’s own insole, which may be more comfortable.
· Replace trail shoes every 300 miles. EVA midsoles will have worn out by this time.
· Two pairs last longer. Alternating pairs so each has time to dry out completely between daily wearings can make both pairs last longer.
By Valerie Gregory, MSPT, CKTP
Tags: athletes, Exercising, howell, orthotics, proper footwear, runner, runners, shoes, sports injuries, trail shoes
Posted in Footwear | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 4th, 2011
Winter running or biking outdoors is tough on your body temperature. It is best to dress in layers when exercising outdoors below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. One of the hardest things about exercising outside in the cold weather is dealing with cold feet. I battle that problem every winter. My running shoes are not the best for outdoor runs or bike rides. The wind goes right through my Asics Kayano’s and my feet go numb after 20 minutes.
So what is the solution? (Follow these helpful hints to keep your feet warm during cold weather exercise)
Wear running shoes with little mesh as possible. Most running shoes are made with a mesh fabric which allows moisture to evaporate, best for warm weather. Trail running shoes are the best for the cold and wet days. Most trail running shoes are somewhat water-proof and will give you a little more traction in the snow.
Be sure to wear a good pair of wicking socks made of fabrics such as acrylic, CoolMax, or wool. Never wear cotton socks, this applies to cold or warm weather, when running because they won’t wick away the moisture, leaving your feet wet and at risk for frostbite. If it’s really cold, you may need to wear two pairs of socks; one thinner (synthetic material) pair closest to your feet and a thicker (wool) pair over them. For this strategy, you have to be careful that your running shoes still fit properly with the extra layer. You may want to purchase another pair of running shoes that are a 1/2 size bigger than regular running shoes, so you have some extra room. To help prevent your feet from sweating too much, spray anti-perspirant on them before you put your socks on.
Your feet will obviously be the coldest at the beginning part of your run/bike ride. To avoid that uncomfortable feeling for your first mile or so, try marching or slowly jogging in place for a few minutes inside before you head out.
Some exercise enthusiasts love to put in hand warmers in their running shoes. I especially use them in my ski boots when I hit the mountains. They’re easy to use: Just take them out of the package and put them inside your sock, on top of your toes. Once your feet warm up, you can take them out so you don’t overheat.
Try to avoid puddles, slush, and snow. This may sound like common sense, but steer clear of wet ground. It may seem like fun to run in the snow for a little while, but your feet will get wet and cold quickly.
Wear a hat. This may sound strange as a cold feet prevention tip, but you can lose a reported 40% of your heat from your head. So, in order to help keep the rest of your body warm, you need to make sure your head is covered. Wear a wool or synthetic-blend hat that will wick away sweat.
Enjoy the outdoors and don’t be a couch potato!
By Valerie Gregory, MSPT, CKTP
Tags: Add new tag, athlete, athletes, Exercising, foot pain, Frostbite, howell, proper footwear, runner, runners, valerie gregory
Posted in General | No Comments »
Thursday, September 23rd, 2010
Tags: achilles, arch support, athlete, athletes, Dr. Dewaters, feet pain, foot, foot injuries, foot injury, foot pain, heel pain, howell, plantar fasciitis, sports injuries, sports injury
Posted in General | No Comments »
Monday, July 26th, 2010
Corns are well known vegetables; however, on the foot, they are thick lesions that form on the top of the toe joints. In the foot and ankle community, they are also known as hyperkeratotic lesions and they form from pressure to the surface of bony prominences, especially on the toes. They can be painful as well as form abscesses if they are exposed to prolonged pressures from shoes.
Many people will purchase corn pads to help relieve pressure from the area and also attempt to reduce the lesion from the active ingredient, salicylic acid. For clarification, there are two types of corns- medicated and non-medicated. Medicated corn pads have an ingredient which is salicylic acid. The mechanism of salicylic acid is the break down the thick tissue. Basically, it causes a burn. When a burn occurs, it can lead to an infection. Once this occurs, most people will call the foot doctor.
Recently, I noticed on our schedule here in Howell that a new patient was coming to the office with an “infected toe from a corn pad.” I thought this was quite interesting because it is the summer and patients will try to “cheat” and use corn pads to get rid of the problem.
So, the patient comes into the office and he is diabetic and most diabetics have some loss of sensation in their lower extremities. Low and behold, this patient had no feeling in his feet. On top of that, the patient had a hot, red, swollen toe. It appeared to be a burn. He still had some thickened tissue on the fifth toe; so, I debrided or trimmed the lesion and an eruption of yellow, foul smelling puss came out of the toe. I took an x-ray and the bone was missing. I asked the patient, “How long have you used the corn pad?” He says, “For three weeks.” I proceeded to tell him that he had a severe infection and his toe needed to be amputated. The amputation was performed and he healed uneventfully.
The moral of this story is that medicated corn pads are not safe for some patients, especially diabetics, and they should not be used for long periods of time. If the corn is thick, patients should be seen by a podiatrist to see if the pressure is caused by a bony prominence. Medicated corn pads cause burns and in mild cases, patients are treated for burns and in severe cases, patients are treated for infection. If there is an urgency to use a pad, use a non-medicated corn pad. These are safer.
Corn pads are not used for the picnic nor for your feet…
By Dr. Jasen Langley
Tags: athletes, corn pads, Dr. Jasen Langley, Exercising, feet pain, foot, foot injury, foot pain, howell, proper footwear, runners, shoes, toe pain
Posted in General | 2 Comments »
Thursday, June 17th, 2010
Many sports fanatics will engage in highly competitive weekend activities. These activities may include football, volleyball, softball and even paintball. I love paintball and I broke my ankle and ruptured multiple ligaments last year while playing this exciting sport. However, one condition that plagues athletes is the dreaded Achilles tendon rupture.
This condition usually occurs while running and jumping; also, it can happen while making sharp movements. Some patients relate to someone hitting the back of their ankle or even describe as a “pop” like a gunshot. Many will fall to the ground with extreme pain. Once patients gather their wits, they try to flex there ankle and realize there no muscle power or total loss of function while trying to flex that Achilles tendon.
The weakest part of the Achilles tendon is the cord of the muscle. This cord is similar to a braided telephone cord and it compasses three muscles: medial and lateral head of the gastroc and the soleus muscle. The thin plantaris tendon runs along the side of this tendon. This tendon flexes your foot and ankle. Also, it aids in inverting and supinating your foot and ankle which is turning your foot and ankle in an inward fashion. There is very little blood flow supplied to this cord. This is known as the water shed area. Most Achilles tendon ruptures will tear approximately 2.0-2.5 cm above the insertion which is above the heel bone or calcaneus.
Their appearance is pretty frightening!!!! The back of the ankle will start changing from a normal skin color to black and blue. Patients will fear the worst like lose of circulation. The color change is related to the bleeding that is occurring at the rupture. Swelling will ensue. The most profound clinical finding is the deficit. When I examine these patients in the office or ER, you can press right in the deficit and the finger just falls in the “hole.” Other clinical test are performed, like a Thompson test, where the patient is placed on their stomach and the gastroc or the calf muscle is squeezed and this is to determine if there is any flexion. Usually there is none. An MRI is sometimes performed but it is usually not necessary if the patient is treated early.
Treatment for the rupture should be surgical repair. The patient can be immobilized with cast or CAM walker; however, with this type of non-surgical treatment, the chances of re-rupture are high. Age, medical history and social history are considered when considering surgical treatment.
Once the rupture is healed, physical therapy should be implemented and this is important. During the healing process, the patient may develop atrophy or weakness in the muscle group and regaining strength is important so the patient can return to activity.
So, you weekend warriors have fun!!!! If you do have an injury which is an Achilles tendon rupture, treat and repair the tendon early so you can return to activity. It is important muscle which help you flex your foot and ankle which you need to walk, drive and play sports.
Any injuries or trauma to the foot and ankle, please feel free to consult or call any of our office locations, which are Howell, Edison, Carteret and Monroe. We will be happy to see you in the office of emergency and tend to all your foot and ankle needs.
By Dr. Jasen Langley
Tags: achilles, achilles tendon, achilles tendon tear, athletes, feet pain, foot, foot injuries, foot injury, foot pain, sports, sports injuries, sports injury, torn ligaments
Posted in General | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
My wife and I woke in the morning and she said, “Since last night, my second and third toes are tingling.” I know what you are thinking but as you get older, the romantic night gets less and less. Well, back to the subject at hand!!!! I asked her did she injure her foot while working out and she said no!!! I look at her and gave her foot a firm squeeze from side to side and I felt some clicking. She had a neuroma!!!!
A neuroma is a nerve that gets thickened from overuse, shoes and injury. The nerves that get affected are the digital nerves which innervate or give sensation to the toes. They are not motor nerves. They are sensory nerves. Symptoms of a neuroma range from pain to tingling and numbness in the toes. It usually occurs in the second and third toes, and symptoms can be in the third and fourth as well as the fourth and fifth toes.
My wife came to the office where I took an x-ray and performed an ultrasound. X-rays are taken to make sure that no fracture is present. Ultrasounds are becoming a great diagnostic tool to evaluate soft tissue masses. On my wife’s ultrasound, a neuroma was seen and she was properly diagnosed. After the ultrasound, she proceeded to tell me that I would be sleeping on the couch because I squeezed her foot to hard!
I explained to her the treatment options. Some of the options were changing her shoes, padding the foot, cortisone injections, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and sometimes surgeries. I suggested that she get a cortisone injection and use anti-inflammatories. She really did not want the injection but I explained, basically schmoozed her, into getting the injection. This would give her the most immediate relief from her symptoms. She got the injection and I padded her foot. Well, I saw her at home and during dinner I asked her, “How is your foot?” She said it was a little sore but it was 90 percent better. I told her she would need some orthotics, which are custom arch supports, because this would take the pressure off the area of the foot where the neuroma was present.
So, I am not in the doghouse with my wife and she was pretty impressed that I diagnosed her problem. She realized how painful a foot condition could be. Also, she realized how important feet are in regards to everyday activity. It is now a few days later and she told her aunt how much better her foot has been since the injection.
Do not let numbness in your feet get ignored. Visit our in office Howell and let Affiliated Foot and Ankle Center diagnose and treat your condition. Just as a side note, please do perform any of the exams that were portrayed in this blog…Thanks!
By Dr. Jasen Langley
www.footdoctorsnj.com
Tags: athletes, Dr. Jasen Langley, Dr. Langley, feet pain, foot, foot injuries, foot injury, foot pain, howell, Jasen Langley, neuroma, orthotics, runners, shoes, tingling, tingling in my foot, toe pain
Posted in General | No Comments »
Jeopardy’s Alex Trebek has ruptured his Achilles tendon while chasing a burglar down the hall at his San Francisco hotel. On Wednesday, July 27, Alex was using crutches before opening the final round of the National Geographic World Championship. Alex explained that a female burglar broke into his hotel room on July 26, at 2:30am while staying at the downtown Marriott when he and his wife were sleeping. Awakened by the intruder, he chased her down the hallway, but his Achilles tendon ripped, causing him to fall and bruise his other leg in the process. He is scheduled for surgery on Friday, July 29.
Watching the Giants play the Colts this past weekend was painful for many Giants fans alike.
