NY Giants Bradshaw playing with fractured foot

It's been reported this week that Ahmad Bradshaw, running back for the NY Giants, has been playing with a stress fracture of the 5th metatarsal in his right foot. This is a problem he has had for several months. Earlier this week he was cleared to continue playing on Sundays, but during the week he wears a boot to immobilize the area and limits his activity.

The 5th metatarsal is the long bone on the outside of the foot. A stress fracture, or hairline break in the bone, develops from repeated stress to the area. Athletes that run or repeatedly pivot are susceptible to this type of injury. Pain, bruising and swelling to the outside of the foot are all signs of a possible fracture. When these symptoms are present a thorough podiatric exam is key to a correct diagnosis. Sometimes a stress fracture is not visible on x-ray and other imaging studies, such as a CT scan or MRI, are necessary.

Treatment options for the fracture include rest to decrease the chance of further damage, as well as ice, compression and elevation to decrease swelling. Often the fractured foot will be placed in a cast or boot to immobilize it with the use of crutches. When the fracture occurs in an area of the bone with decreased blood supply it is more difficult to heal. These fractures may result in surgery to place a screw across the fracture and aide in healing. Hopefully the fracture Ahmad Bradshaw has been battling remains stable and surgery can wait until the end of the football season.

...but my heel hurts!

Children have been playing fall sports for several weeks now and you may have heard an increasing number of complaints regarding pain in their heels. These complaints are likely to be more prevalent after a game or activity involving running or jumping. Some of the more common symptoms include pain at the back, side or bottom of the heel that increases in severity after activity. The pain may cause the child to limp. It is important to have a thorough podiatric exam to determine the cause of the pain. The most common diagnosis of pediatric heel pain is calcaneal apophysitis or severs disease, but it is necessary to rule out other causes such as a fracture or bursitis.

Calcaneal apophysitis is an inflammation of the growth plate in the heel. Children between the ages of 8 and 14 are most frequently affected because their growth plates remain open. As the bone finishes growing the prevalence of severs disease decreases. Treatment options vary depending upon the severity of the pain. Some children respond to a decrease in activity level and increased cushioning to the heel while other require immobilization with a cast and crutches. Medication, stretching exercises and custom orthotics are also used to decrease inflammation and help support the foot. Maintaining flexibility and wearing supportive shoes with good shock absorption can help prevent a recurrence of this condition. Your podiatrist will help determine the best treatment plan to help your child feel better and return to their favorite sports.

Warts...not just for witches

Halloween will be here soon, and children will be trick-or-treating dressed as witches and wearing masks with ugly warts. Unfortunately, warts are a problem for more than just witches and are frequently seen on the soles of our feet. They can be quite painful as well as unsightly. A wart is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). This virus is found on common surfaces such as locker room floors and the tiles of public showers and pool areas. Warts are often seen in children and young adults because of repeated exposure to these locations. They can appear as rough bumps, sometimes with dark spots throughout. There may be a solitary lesion or several in a cluster.

There are several options available to treat warts. One popular method is the application of a mild acid directly to the lesion. It is often necessary to undergo multiple applications before the wart has resolved. Other options include freezing the wart or surgically removing it. Your podiatrist can help diagnosis a wart and chose the best treatment option for you. Caution should be used with over-the-counter remedies because of the risk of damaging the surrounding healthy skin. To decrease the chance of recurrence avoid walking barefoot, especially in public places... and stay away from witches! Happy Halloween!

Morning Foot Pain

Are your feet in pain when you get out of bed in the morning? Does your heel ache or throb as you take the first steps of the day? These are just a few of the symptoms that may indicate a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissue extending from the heel towards the ball of the foot. When this band is inflamed it causes pain. Symptoms may increase over time, especially when standing for long hours on hard surfaces.

It's not necessary to suffer with this type of pain. There are several options to help treat this ailment. First, a podiatrist will do a thorough exam to identify the cause of the pain. Stretching exercises are key to help ease the pain associated with plantar fasciitis. It is also important to wear supportive, comfortable shoes and avoid flip flops and bare feet. Persistent pain may require oral anti-inflammatory medication or a corticosteroid injection. Custom orthotics are often necessary to address the underlying cause of plantar fasciitis. These are devices that are made for your feet and fit in shoes to help support the arches and increase shock absorption to the heel. Long term use is recommended to help prevent a recurrence of symptoms. A podiatrist will help determine the best course of treatment for you.

Sexy foot pain

Too many of us deal with painful feet. We walk everywhere but we do not consider our shoe gear. It's very important to wear proper fitting shoe gear. We need to have a shoe that not only fit correctly but also has a strong heel counter, a good toe box , rubber soles and proper support. Custom made orthotics can help with proper support. It's best to be fitted by a podiatrist and be casted in neutral position. If any questions go to www.sjfootdoctors.com.