Plantar Fasciitis - A Real Pain

children foot - plantar (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The plantar fascia is a thick and wide band of tissue that connects the heel band to the toes forming the arch of the foot. When this tissue becomes inflamed and irritated due to overuse or over stretching, it is called plantar fasciitis. This is a common complaint and most often affects patients between ages 40-60.

The pain ranges from minor to severe and is usually more noticeable:

• When you first get up in the morning

• After vigorous exercise

• After long periods of standing or sitting

This is a common ailment of distance runners, and can also affect pregnant women, people who are overweight and those who do not wear shoes with adequate support. The pain usually develops gradually.

Treatment for plantar fasciitis ranges from simple non-invasive to surgical in extreme cases. Pain will usually diminish with conservative treatment methods which may include:

• Rest

• Icing

• Heel stretching exercises

• Over-the-counter pain medication

• Shoes with better arch support

• Inserts or orthotics

• Reduce mileage if you are a runner, alternate with swimming and bicycling

Generally pain diminishes with persistent treatment. Occasionally when all other methods have failed, Dr. Blaakman may recommend surgery, but surgery has risks that he will discuss with you.
As with so many foot ailments, prevention is the best medicine. Start early by keeping your weight under control, wear quality and supportive shoes. Just because your shoes look good on the outside does not mean they aren’t worn out on the inside. If you are a runner or walk aggressively, buy new shoes at 300-500 miles. You may think your old comfy shoes are your best friends, but this is not true.

If you believe you have symptoms of plantar fasciitis, see Dr. Blaakman at once. Chances of treatment being successful are greater with early intervention. During your examination, Dr. Blaakman will likely look for swelling, redness and tightness in the bottom of the foot. He may want an x-ray to rule out other conditions and he will ask questions about your medical history, if you have other pain and also ask about your physical activity. The treatment plan he develops for you will take all of this into consideration. Call him at (877) 941-3338 (FEET) so he can get you back on your feet.

References:
 
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/plantar-fasciitis/DS00508/

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High Impact Yields High Injury Potential

Rhee Tae Kwon-Do 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Dan black belts in October 2007. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)Traditional martial arts like Taekwondo and Karate, along with the more aerobic discipline of Tae Bo, have seen a recent surge in popularity among children and adults. Unfortunately, every high intensity sport involves its share of injuries and martial arts are no exception. 

Some of the more common injuries include:

    •    Sprains
    •    Fractures
    •    Plantar fasciitis
    •    Achilles tendonitis
    •    Sesamoiditis
    •    Hematomas

Sprained ankles are a result of side to side lateral movement and the fact that the body is usually balanced on a single limb at the time. Rest, ice, compression and elevation are required. If pain is severe or persists, have your injury evaluated by Dr. Blaakman to make sure it’s not a more serious injury.

Fractures usually involve the toes, bones in the mid-foot (metatarsals) or ankles. A fracture can be the result of trauma or stress. Every fracture needs to be evaluated and treated to prevent it from becoming more serious. If you suspect you sustain a fracture, sit immediately and get medical help. If you do not cease this high impact activity a simple fracture could become displaced, treatment could be more complicated and recovery time increased. If you have just recovered from a sprain or a fracture you should never participate in a training activity or sparring unless you are completely pain free and cleared by your doctor.

Plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis result from overuse or excessive stretching of tendons. Repetitive turns and pivots on the support foot and the strike motion on the other foot are critical factors. Rest, ice and elevation will provide some relief.

Sesamoiditis is the inflammation and irritation of the tissue surrounding the sesamoid bones located behind and under the big toe. Pressure caused by repeated elevation and pivoting can irritate this area.
Hematomas are caused by injury to blood vessels that can cause bleeding inside the foot resulting in swelling and pain. Dr. Blaakman should evaluate any hematoma. If they are not treated properly or are left untreated, it can result in the loss of foot.

Rest, ice and elevation are recommended for most of these injuries. If pain persists, call Dr. Blaakman at (877)941-3888. His expert diagnosis and treatment will help keep your roundhouse kick in top form.

References:
 
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004438/
http://www.podiatrytoday.com/article/4121

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Haglund’s Deformity-A Walking Nightmare

Image via WikipediaHaglund’s deformity, sometimes referred to as the “pump bump” is a bony protrusion in the heel area, which is thought to be caused primarily by pressure from shoes, although there may be other factors involved. Between the bone and the Achilles tendon is a small sac of lubricating fluid which allows for easier movement. A prominent heel bump can squeeze the soft tissue between the bone and the shoe. This can cause inflammation and a build-up of tissue that creates even more pressure.

The most notable symptom of Haglund’s deformity is pain in the back of the heel. The tissue that thickens in this area and forms a callus type buildup doesn’t usually impede function or interfere with walking, but the bursitis, which causes swelling and inflammation, can create a great deal of pain when shoes are worn.

Diagnosis of Haglund’s deformity can usually be made visually, but our office will probably want to get x-rays to have a better picture of how the heel bone is shaped, and rule out other possibilities that might cause your heel pain.

Treatment can be either non-surgical or surgical. However, much of that depends upon your diagnosis.  Below are some non-surgical options, which include, but not limited to:

    •    Taking over-the-counter medications - such as Ibuprofen to reduce swelling and discomfort.

    •    Icing the area – you can use a towel between ice and skin, and apply it  to the inflamed area for 20 minutes, then wait at least 40 minutes before applying again.

    •    Exercising – this will help relieve tension in the Achilles tendon.

    •    Heel lifts or heel pads – these may help relieve pressure and lessen irritation.

    •    Changing your shoes – wearing a backless shoe will help to avoid irritation.

You can find more information by clicking here.

If non-surgical treatments fail to provide relief, surgery may be required. Dr. Blaakman will determine what course of treatment best suits you.

If you have swelling and pain in one or both heels, call our office at (877) 941-FEET (3338).

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EPAT - What do it do?

Image via WikipediaWhen going to the podiatrist office, you might hear the term “EPAT” thrown around.  What is “EPAT” exactly?  It stands for “Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology.”  See why it’s shortened down to EPAT?  The EPAT therapy was introduced to Upstate Footcare by Dr. Hans Blaakman and it’s designed to treat a number of different foot and lower leg issues. 

The way the EPAT system works is to promote your natural healing processes by stimulating chemical processes to get your blood circulating in the area you are experiencing pain.  This allows the blood to get new blood cells into the area as well as remove things that might be causing the pain from those areas.  This system was created because a number of people were still experiencing pain after a number of treatments did not prove effective.  By promoting the bodies natural healing processes, it is safer than surgery and the results are faster, without the long recovery period.  If you are familiar with Shockwave Therapy, EPAT uses the same technology but does not require anesthesia.

The great thing about the EPAT system is that it is relatively inexpensive.  In fact, if you have a Health Savings Account or a Medical IRA, you can have your costs covered one hundred percent!  You should check with your medical insurance to see if they cover this or not.  It will only take four sessions in four weeks, meaning one session every week for four weeks.

If you have heel pain or achilles tendonitis or another pain in your feet or ankles, EPAT therapy could be the best option for you, especially if nothing else has worked to rid you of the pain.  If you are interested, you should contact Upstate Footcare so that you can schedule an appointment to discuss the EPAT process with Dr. Blaakman so that you can start to get rid of that pain as soon as possible.

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