J.B Holmes recently endured and ankle injury during a rollerblading mishap near his home in Windermere. Due to the broken ankle injury, the PGA golfer will not be able to partake in the quickly approaching PGA tour competition. According to this manager, Holmes will be sitting out for 8 to 10 weeks.

The former U.S. Ryder Cup player broke his ankle by rolling backward on his blades. He then hit a hole in the ground while waiting for his fiancée, Erica Kahldin, to catch up stated Terry Reilly of Wasserman Media Group. His ankle collapsed sideways, which resulted in a small fracture. “Just a freak little thing,” said Reilly.  

If you think you have sustained an ankle injury such as this you should seek out a podiatrist such as Dr. Neal Frankel of A Foot & Ankle Centre. Dr. Frankel will diagnose any injuries you may have as well as provide you with treatment options that work for you.

Broken Ankles

The ankle consists of three bones- the tibia, the fibula, and the talus. The tibia and the fibula are the two bones that connect to your knees. They sit directly above the talus bone, which is protected by a fibrous membrane and allows slight movement in the ankle joint. A break usually occurs in one of these bones after the foot is twisted too far, a strong impact like jumping from a great height, or repeated stresses like running.

Diagnosis

If you suffer an ankle injury, it is essential that you receive a correct diagnosis. One of the first signs that the ankle is broken is an inability to put any weight on it. There will often be severe bruising and swelling at the sight of the injury. Your doctor may also order an x-ray be taken to determine the exact location and extent of the injury.

Treatment

Without proper care, a broken ankle may not heal properly and could cause arthritis and instability later in life. Therefore, seeking proper treatment is essential to making a full recovery.

To learn more about treatment methods on broken ankles, follow this link.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices in Chicago, Lincolnwood, and Oak Brook, IL offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

The Detroit Tigers’ outfielder Avisail Garcia has been cleared to begin playing baseball again after suffering from a major heel injury during a game last month against the St. Louis Cardinals. The MLB player placed majority of his body weight onto his right heel after attempting to beat out a grounder during the second inning of the game. After sustaining the injury, Garcia was benched for several weeks.

Subsequently, an announcement was made recently by Tigers head coach Kevin Rand saying Garcia will return to conditioning drills and will be invited to participate in more spring training games later in Lakeland

An injury like Garcia can be managed and taken care of by a podiatrist like Dr. Neal Frankel of A Foot & Ankle Centre. Dr. Frankel can examine your heel pain, determine the severity of your injury, and work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options.

Causes of Heel Pain

● Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

● Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

● Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

- Wearing ill-fitting shoes                 
- Wearing non-supportive shoes
- Weight change    
- Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a thing of the past.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices in Chicago, Lincolnwood, and Oak Brook, IL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment services for all your podiatric needs.

Read the full article on Heel Pain.

LA Lakers Pau Gasol was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis; or inflammation of a tendon in the foot’s sole. According to Los Angeles Times Editor Eric Pincus, plantar fasciitis is an injury that can be resolved with treatment and orthotics. Gasol had missed eight games prior due to knee tendinitis. However, Gasol is likely to continue to play despite his condition.

If you are experiencing significant pain in your heels or the ball of your foot, where the plantar fascia is, then it is highly recommended you seek the care of a podiatrist Dr. Neal Frankel of A Foot & Ankle Centre.  Dr. Frankel can examine your feet and work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options to ensure safe foot recovery.

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis refers to heel and arch pain caused by an inflammation of the connective tissues on the bottom of the foot.

What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?

· Ill-fitting shoes
· Weight change
· Excessive running
· Non-supportive shoes
· Overpronation

How Can It Be Treated?

· Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices.
· Shockwave therapy – sends sound waves to the areas where pain is experience.  Requires multiple sessions.  This is used for very persistent cases of plantar fasciitis.
· Ultrasound-guided technique with steroid injections into the plantar fascia.  This is from a relatively new and small study, but was shown to be effective in most cases treated.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices in Chicago, Lincolnwood, and Oak Brook, IL. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment services for all your podiatric needs.

Read the full article on Plantar Fasciitis.

Heel pain is most often caused by plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the long, dense band of connective tissue (the plantar fascia) that runs from the heel to the ball of the foot.

Repeated strain on the plantar fascia can cause tiny tears in the ligament. As tension and tearing increases, so does inflammation and irritation of the affected area. Risk factors of plantar fasciitis include foot arch problems (flat foot and high arches); excess weight; running; and a tight Achilles tendon.
The most common complaint of plantar fasciitis is pain in the bottom of the heel that develops gradually. The pain is usually worse in the morning and after sitting or standing for a long period of time. For some, the pain subsides after walking or stretching.
To reduce pain associated with plantar fasciitis:

• Rest. Limit and/or avoid activities that make your heel hurt.
• Ice. Reduce pain and swelling by icing the affected area each day.
• Stretch. Stretch your heel throughout the day, especially when you first wake up in the morning.
• Footwear modifications. Wear shoes that provide good arch support and a cushioned sole. Ask your podiatrist about pads and shoe inserts to relieve your heel pain.

When conservative treatments aren't effective or your pain persists for more than a few weeks, schedule an appointment with A Foot & Ankle Centre to discuss your symptoms and treatment options. A podiatrist can recommend an appropriate treatment plan for your individual needs. This may include, stretching exercises, shoe padding, orthotic devices, night splints or therapy. Most patients respond to non-surgical treatments, but for pain that won't go away, surgery may be considered.

With proper rest and treatment, recovering from plantar fasciitis can take just a few months. Visit us at A Foot & Ankle Centre when you first experience pain for a proper diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan for your individual needs.