PUMP BUMP

Many people experience pain not only to the bottom of their heel, but they also experience pain to the back of their heel bone.  This pain is sometimes associated with a prominent bump to the back of the heel known as a Haglund’s Deformity or “pump bump”.  This bump is positioned where the Achilles tendon inserts onto the heel bone.  This area can become irritated, swollen and painful.  Often times, patients complain of irritation from their shoes.

Causes of this “pump bump” include: a high arched foot type, a tight Achilles tendon, and improper walking technique.  Symptoms include a painful bump to the back of the heel, swelling, and redness of the area due to the irritation and rubbing in shoes.  Treatment is both conservative as well as surgical.  Some conservative treatment includes anti-inflammatory medication, icing, stretching, heel lifts, custom orthotics, shoe modification, and often physical therapy.  Surgically, the treatment would be shaving down the prominent bump.

If you are experiencing pain to the back of your heel bone, do not hesitate to follow with your podiatrist.  Call us at Worthington Foot & Ankle if you have questions!

“I sprained my big toe joint!”

School is starting and with that comes the start of the football and soccer seasons.  This is when we, as podiatrists, begin to see many new types of injuries.  One of these injuries is “Turf Toe”.  Turf Toe is a sprain of the ligaments around the big toe joint.  Over extending the great toe causes this injury to the ligaments.   It is most commonly seen in athletes playing on artificial surfaces.

Symptoms of turf toe include pain, swelling, and limited motion at the joint at the base of the big toe.  There are three grades for this injury from least problematic, to increased severity.  A Grade I injury is a sprain of the ligaments, athletes are typically able to return to play as tolerated.  Grade II injury is a partial rupture of the ligaments and the athlete typically needs upwards of 2 weeks to recover.  A Grade III injury is a complete rupture of the ligaments and requires up to 10 to 16 weeks to recover.

The initial treatment for treating turf toe is a combination of rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE therapy) as well as oral anti-inflammatories.  Taping may be beneficial to limit the motion of the joint.  At times, a rigid insert that minimizes the flexion of the joint is the most useful option.

It can take two to three weeks for the pain and inflammation along the joint improve.  The patients must be cautious as this injury can recur if not treated aggressively at first.  Long term use of inserts or other adjustments to their athletic wear is warranted.  If you sustain an injury this sports season, do not hesitate to call us at Worthington Foot & Ankle, we’d be happy to help!

Worthington Foot & Ankle’s 1st annual Ladies’ Night Out is a little over a month away (SEPT 28).

Our confirmed vendors are:
1. Rodan & Fields
2. India Hicks
3. LuLaRoe
4. Nerium
5. Royally fluffed tutus
6 Amy Weimer photography
7. Bushel and a Peck Treats
8. Beachbody
9. Handwritten Forward
10. Norwex

Get a head start on your Christmas shopping as well as meet the doctors and staff of WFA, enjoy some cocktails and snacks, and meet new friends!

Ladies Night Out

Grab your friends for Worthington Foot & Ankle’s 1^st annual Ladies Night Out.  Enjoy an evening planning your holiday wish list with our vendors, have some snacks and drinks and meet the doctors of Worthington Foot & Ankle.

Mark your calendars for September 28, 2016 from 6-8pm.

Address is: 37 E. Wilson Bridge Rd, Worthington, OH 43085

 

*Watch for details closer to the date*

Plantar Fibromas

In the recent weeks, I have seen quite a few patients who have presented with a condition called plantar fibromatosis.  Many people who experience this condition, complain of a painful lump along their arch, which can cause pain to the heel as well.  This painful nodule/lump is called a plantar fibroma.  These lumps can be especially painful with walking.

I have seen this condition occur most in the middle-age population, but can occur at any age.  The true cause is unknown, but some possibilities can include: trauma, genetics, and some medications.   Treatment can be both conservative as well as surgical.  Conservative treatment can include: stretching, padding, orthotics to offload the area, topical medications which have helped tremendously in some patients, or physical therapy.  Surgically, the fibromas can be removed.  With surgical removal, there is a chance the nodules can return.  If you have noticed a painful nodule to the bottom of your arch, please call us at Worthington Foot and Ankle, we can help!

Topical anti-inflammatories

Many patients experience muscle injuries, especially those runners and athletes during the summer.  These injuries can be acute due to increased activities or chronic repetitive incorrect technique.  There are many ways to treat these injuries, which are commonly related to inflammation in the injured site.

Nonsteriodal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) are the most commonly prescribed medication for musculoskeletal injuries.  They are useful for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.  Oral/systemic NSAIDs do have adverse side effects, specifically to the heart and stomach.  There have been many newer topical NSAIDs brought to the market to treat the injuries.  Topical NSAIDs are used to treat the area locally and produce high enough concentrations without the high systemic levels typically associated with common side effects.

There are side effects associated with topical NSAIDs, with the most common adverse reaction a skin reaction occurring in 1 to 2 percent of patients.   This can present as redness, itching and irritation.  There is evidence that supports that topical NSAIDs are effective and safe for sports injuries.

If you are unable to take oral NSAIDs, but have had issues with recurrent sports injuries, topical NSAIDs may be a treatment option for you.  Let us a Worthington Foot & Ankle help!

Recently, I have seen quite a few patients with pain to this inside of their ankle and heel.  Heel pain is just not always just identified on the inside of the heel or arch.  It can also occur along the inside of the ankle along the tendon known as the Posterior Tibial Tendon.  This tendon helps to support the arch.  At times, this tendon can become inflamed, swollen and painful.  This is known as Posterior Tibial Tendonitis.

Overuse of the tendon causes dysfunction of the tendon, leading to inflammation and the pain.  Symptoms are usually seen after activities such as running, hiking, or climbing.  Patients often complain of pain along the inside of their ankle coursing towards their arch.  The area is not only painful, but can be found to be swollen as well.

Patients may relate having flatter arches, and this is due to the tendon not functioning to help support the foot correctly.

Treatment can be conservative as well as surgical.  Conservatively, patients can try orthotics, bracing and immobilization, physical therapy and medications such as anti-inflammatories.  Surgery is often indicated when conservative attempts have failed.  Surgical procedures often include repair of the tendon.

If you have had chronic pain radiating to your arch from your ankle, you may not have the common plantar fasciitis, it may be due to dysfunction of your tendon.  The podiatrists at Worthington Foot & Ankle can help diagnose and treat you correctly!