Five Sports Injuries of the Foot and Ankle - The Texas Foot Specialists

Injuries are quite common in athletes. This is because of the physical demands that each sport requires. And one of the most abused parts in any sport is the feet. It is constantly exposed to stress from explosive movements such as jumping, running or quickly changing directions. The foot is one of the most robust structures in the body but it too has its limits. And when it is stretched beyond its limits, foot and ankle injuries can occur.

Five Foot and ankle sports injuries commonly seen in athletes:

1. Ankle sprains. This is usually the result of landing on an uneven surface which results to the foot turning in a bad position. This can result to a partial or complete tear of the ligaments responsible for stabilizing and supporting your ankle joint.
2. Achilles tendon injury. Coined as Achilles tendonitis, this injury to the Achilles tendon. It is often the result of over usage of the tendon. Usually an acute inflammation, the tendon may become ruptured especially if it is already weak.
3. Plantar fasciitis. This is a condition wherein the tissue that connects the heel to the toes becomes inflamed. Once there is plantar fasciitis, you may feel pain in your heel or in your arch.
4. Stress fractures. A stress fracture is most common in runners. This is an injury to the tendons and ligaments which are located on the inside and outside of your ankle. This can cause stress in your foot bones. Though a stress fracture does not happen in one event, repetitive stress on the bone may cause it to break. As a matter of fact, 5-15% on all running-related injuries are dedicated to stress fractures and 49% of all injuries are usually seen on those people who ran a range of 25 to 44 miles a week.
5. Turf toe. An athlete can also suffer from a turf toe which is best described as a sprain of the main joint on your big toe. It is painful and will result to limited joint movement in your big toe.

Pain and swelling are the first indication of a possible injury. Although most of the pain felt could be due to a strained muscle, lingering pain could be a sign of a serious foot and ankle injury. When this happens, consult a podiatrist.  Dr. Gregory Mangum and Dr. Bruce Miller are Podiatrists who specialize in helping athletes suffering from foot and ankle injuries.  

A sport that has relatively high amount of foot and ankle injuries is soccer. Soccer injuries are usually the result of collisions when one player strikes another with a forceful impact. Since soccer can also be an example of a contact sport, a player usually gets a direct blow to his lower leg. This accounts for 20-30% ankle injuries in all of the recorded soccer injuries. 

The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston, we specialize in helping people with foot disorders. To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.

Two Types Of Foot Stress Fractures - The Texas Foot Specialists

Types of foot stress fractures

There are two types of stress fractures, fatigue and insufficiency fractures. Fatigue fractures are the result of repeated stress on the foot that results to an injury beyond the bone’s natural healing ability. An insufficiency fracture on the other hand is caused by a weakened bone structure like those seen in people suffering from osteoporosis.

Stress fractures remain unnoticed until pain becomes unbearable. Therefore early diagnosis is essential to prevent the condition from progressing. A podiatrist is a foot specialist that is highly qualified to identify and treat foot stress fractures. Dr. Gregory Mangum and Dr. Bruce Miller are Podiatrists who specialize in helping people suffering from foot injuries.

Stress fractures commonly develop in the weight-bearing bones especially those located in the lower foot. This type of injury can be seen in track and field athletes or just about anyone who participates in activities that place too much stress on the foot.

What causes foot stress fractures?

Stress fractures can be the result of repetitive abuse of the foot during jumps or long distance running. It can also be the result of weakened bones due to an underlying disease.

Symptoms of a foot stress fracture

1. Foot pain that often manifests itself during physical activities and decrease with rest
2. Pain that intensifies over time
3. Swelling and tenderness

Diagnosis of foot stress fractures

Pain is a signal that indicates injury or something abnormal. Foot pain during physical activities can be an indication of foot stress fractures. Consulting with a podiatrist gives you the best chance for early diagnosis and drastically improves prognosis.

Diagnosis starts with a thorough check of your medical history and previous activities. The podiatrist inspects your foot for swelling and tenderness.

A thorough diagnosis involves obtaining a detailed history of your condition and performing an examination of the injury and surrounding area. Stress fractures are not easily identified on X-ray until about 3 weeks after the onset of symptoms. More detailed tests such as MRIs, CT scan or bone scans are performed if a podiatrist suspect a stress fracture even after testing negative on X-ray.

Treatment for foot stress fractures

• Rest – reducing pressure on the feet prevents further injury and buys time for it to heal properly
• Ice – this reduces swelling and helps relieve pain
• Pain medications – stick to acetaminophen based pain relievers. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers may interfere with proper bone healing.

The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston, we specialize in helping people with foot disorders. To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.

Achilles Tendon And Sports Injuries - The Texas Foot Specialists

The tendon is a connective tissue that attaches muscles to the bones. And the largest tendon in our body is the Achilles tendon. This is no surprise since the Achilles tendon is responsible for supporting most of the heavy movements in our foot. Which makes it a perfect candidate for injuries especially for athletes.

The Achilles tendon allows us to lift our heel when walking, running or almost every movement in our foot. Therefore any injury to our Achilles tendon can have a direct affect in our movements. A visit to a podiatrist can help identify if you are suffering from Achilles tendonitis. Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Gregory Mangum are Podiatrists who specialize in helping people suffering from Achilles tendonitis and other foot disorders.  

The inflammation of the Achilles tendon is called Achilles tendonitis. This inflammation is usually the result of overworking the foot or placing too much stress on your Achilles tendon.

Causes

1. Overuse of the Achilles tendon which lead to development of small tendon tears
2. Arthritis
3. Foot problems such as flat feet or hyper-pronated feet which turns inward while walking
4. Wearing shoes such as high heels and those with minimal support
5. Overweight and obesity, since this adds more pressure to your Achilles tendon
6. Intake of quinolone antibiotics since it can be linked to tenosynovitis

Signs and symptoms

• Pain at the back of the heel
• Difficulty in walking or running
• Achilles tendon is swollen, tender and warm

Severity degrees

• Mild. Pain at the Achilles tendon only occurs during an activity or immediately after a few minutes.
• Moderate. Swelling of the tendon occurs and sometimes, there is a formation of a hard lump or nodule.
• Severe. Any type of activities, even simple ones that involves weight bearing will elicit pain from the Achilles tendon. There are also rare cases wherein the tendon may rupture or tear. When this happens, you will feel a "hard whack" on your heel.

Diagnosis

1. Medical history which will include the type of footwear you normally use as well as your regular activities and exercise habits
2. Physical examination done by your doctor to see tenderness and swelling of your Achilles tendon
3. Imaging tests such as x-ray, ultrasound, and MRI scan of your tendon
4. Blood tests may also be done to check for inflammatory conditions

The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston, we specialize in helping people with foot sports injuries. To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.

Plantar fasciitis - Peyton Manning - The Texas Foot Specialists

Peyton Manning, legendary Broncos Denver’s quarterback suffered from a partially torn plantar fascia in his left foot last season. He was then relegated to the sidelines and had difficulty walking for weeks. This was not uncommon, since foot injuries is a common occurrence among athletes.

Plantar fasciitis is a stabbing pain that usually occurs in the morning and will disappear after making few steps. This kind of injury is very common to runners and athletes who are involved in tough playing games. Consult a podiatrist for any type of foot injury. Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Gregory Mangum are Podiatrists who specialize in helping people with chronic foot pain and other types of foot conditions.

Symptoms

• There is an aching, or burning pain in the sole of your foot
• Foot pain that occurs as you step out of the bed early in the morning
• Pain that will decrease after you’ve been on your feel for a while
• Sudden heel pain
• Foot pain that lasted for more than few days
• Pain in just one foot
• Swelling, heat feeling, or redness in the heel area
• Limping
• Plantar fasciitis is mistaken with other conditions that have the same symptoms such as arthritis or tarsal tunnel syndrome.

What are the risks in developing plantar fasciitis?

• Pronation. This is a condition when a plantar fascia doesn’t transfer weight evenly while walking.
• Overuse of the feet without proper rest
• Tightness, flat feet, or high arches at the back of the heel
• Obesity
• Standing or lifting heavy objects for a long period of time
• Ill-fitting or worn footwear
• Normal aging process
• Physical trauma to the foot

What are the treatments for plantar fasciitis?

A simple three step approach is all you need to experience immediate symptom relief: 

Give your feet a rest - adjust your daily habits to spend some time off your feet and let it rest. Ice brings cooling relief - you have to apply an ice pack to your injured heel for twenty minutes every two hours. This will numb the pain and control inflammation. Use of orthotics devices such as splints, shoe inserts, and wraps will lessen the pressure on your heel.

 How to prevent plantar fasciitis

•  You need to maintain a healthy weight.
• You have to warm up before participating in any sports.
• You need to wear shoes that cushion the heel and support the arch. 

The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston we specialize in helping people with plantar fasciitis and other chronic foot problems. To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.

New York Yankee Pitcher Bryan Mitchell Falls to Turf Toe Injury - The Texas Foot Specialists

New York Yankees pitcher Bryan Mitchell is rumored to have a grade 3 Turf toe. Mitchell is a professional baseball pitcher who suffered an injury in a game against Atlanta Braves. It is said that he was running to cover the first base. His injury will require him a surgery that will take him three months to fully recover.

Turf toe is the term used to describe the sprain of the ligaments around the big toe joint. This injury is caused when the big toe is jammed forcefully while running or jumping. Consult a podiatrist for any type of foot injury. Dr. Gregory Mangum and Dr. Bruce Miller are Podiatrists who specialize in helping people with chronic foot pain and other types of foot conditions.

 What are the signs and symptoms of Turf toe? 

• There is limited toe movement
• At a time of injury, a snapping or popping sound can be heard
• Your mobility is reduced
• Your toe is swelling
• Your big toe is bruising
• There is pain at the base of your big toe
• Tenderness
•  Pain and other symptoms are mild at first but it will gradually get worse. Not everyone will experience all these symptoms but everyone complains about pain. 

Tips on how to prevent turf toe

• With the help of a proper footwear, turf toe and other toe injuries can be avoided and prevented. You can also try various stretching exercises that will strengthen your toes.
• Instead of tennis shoes, it is much better if you will wear cleats
• Wearing proper shoes that provide protection most especially on your toes
• Toe walking - you must do this exercise slowly at first. It is simple as standing on your tiptoes and walk
• Pencil pick-up - you have to use your toe to pick up the pencil on the floor while you are sitting

Tips on how to treat a turf toe

• Rest - putting weights and pressures on your toes should be avoided when you are in the healing process
• Ice - should be applied on the injured part every hour that will take 15 to 20 minutes to lessen the pain
• Compression - it is important to tape your toes with the help of elastic bandages to prevent your toes from moving
• Elevation - with the help of pillows and cushions, you have to raise your injured foot above your heart level
• Anti-inflammatory drugs - over the counter medication like Ibuprofen can help to lessen the pain

It is said that turf toe can cause long-term problems even with proper medication and treatment. This can also lead to hyper flexion injuries. The pain will subside from two to three weeks with the help of proper treatment and medication. 

The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston we specialize in helping people suffering from chronic foot problems. To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.

Heel Pain in Athletes - The Texas Foot Specialists

Joining a sports activity places people at a higher risk for foot injuries. This is because it exposes the foot to constant pressure from the different high-impact foot movements required. Running and jumping for example exposes the feet to tremendous stress that often exceeds it structural limits. When this happens, foot injuries are just around the corner.

 What is a Bruised Heel? 

A bruised heel can be very painful and can be caused by repeated abuse such as high impact foot movements. The foot and its numerous structures are responsible for absorbing the shock from running, jumping or walking. The calcaneus bone or heel bone is responsible for the feet’s load bearing function. 

 The heels are at high risk for injuries. A person’s weight is transferred from the legs directly to the heels. This is the feet’s first point of contact with the ground before the pressure is transferred to other foot structures. The heel bone or calcaneus bone is surrounded by a layer of fatty tissue. This helps absorb some of the pressure away from the heel bones.   

Bruised Heel Management

If you suspect a bruised heel, rest the foot immediately. Continued foot activities may only worsen the condition. Resting buys your body precious time to heal. Consult a podiatrist if pain persists even with rest. A podiatrist can identify if this is a simple case of a bruised heel or a symptom of a serious foot injury. Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Gregory Mangum are Podiatrists specialize in treating bruised heels and other foot injuries. 

To prevent future injuries, wear shoes with adequate heel support or heel cushioning. This should be used when the heels are tender or if you are suffering from a bruised heel. This should be worn on both heels. Wearing a foot insert on one shoe may cause an imbalance which can cause an accident or another foot injury. 

Replace your running shoes regularly. Running shoes on average are designed to last around 400 miles. Constant abuse from running or jumping can destroy the shoes’ integrity leaving its structures weak. 

Bruised heel recovery time

A bruised heel if caught early and gets adequate rest can recover pretty quickly. Symptoms could disappear in as little as a few days. If the early symptoms are ignored and a person continuous with their regular activity, this can aggravate the injury. 

Consult a podiatrist for any signs of foot injury. If diagnosed early, treatment is easier and recovery time can be quicker.  The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston we specialize in helping people suffering from a bruised heel and other foot injuries.  To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.

Bruised Heel – Foot Abuse and Overuse in Athletes

Any physical activity that requires extensive footwork exposes people to foot injuries. Repeated high impact activities such as running or jumping places great pressure on the foot and its structures. The feet are very durable but they too has their limitations.   

Bruised Heel

A bruised heel happens when the heels are exposed to repeated physical abuse. The heels are responsible for supporting the body’s weight even during walking or standing, the possibility of injury is a constant.

The calcaneus bone or heel bone acts like a shock absorber. The body’s weight is transferred to the legs and ultimately the foot. The heel aside from absorbing the body weight is also the body’s first point of contact with the ground before the stress is dispersed to other foot and body structures.

The heels are naturally surrounded by fatty tissue. This helps in absorbing the shock and limits the stress on the heels. However, this is lost with age increasing the risk for bruised heels and other injuries.

Treatment and Management

Rest the foot immediately if a bruised heel is suspected. Continuing your normal activities or engaging in foot-heavy activities can only aggravate the situation. A bruised heel may heal faster if given time to rest. However, if pain persists even after resting the foot then consulting a podiatrist is advised. Dr. Gregory Mangum and Dr. Bruce Miller are Podiatrists who specializes in treating bruised heels and other foot injuries.

Prevention

Preventing bruised heels in the future can be done by practicing proper foot care. This can be done by using custom orthotics. Shoe inserts should be used on both feet and not only on the affected foot. This is because wearing one insert causes a slight imbalance which in turn can cause more injuries.

Just like your car’s wheels, shoes should be replaced over time. Wear and tear happens due to direct contact with the ground. Shoes are designed on average to last around 400 miles.

Recovering from a bruised heel

You may recover quickly from bruised heels  if detected early and given ample time to heal. The injury could disappear in a matter of days.  Visit a podiatrist if a bruised heel persists even after rested or pain intensifies.   The Texas Foot Specialists located in Sugar Land, Pasadena and Houston we specialize in helping people suffering from a bruised knee and other foot injuries. To schedule an appointment call Sugar Land (281) 242-4448, Pasadena (281) 991-0600 and Houston (713) 664-6677.