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You didn’t see South Korea’s Chung Hyeon at Wimbledon early this month. That’s because he pulled out at the last minute due to an ankle injury that was not fully rehabilitated. At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we think Mr. Hyeon is a winner for making that choice. Chronic ankle pain and instability is most often the result of a prior ankle sprain or strains or other ankle injuries that were not fully healed before the patient resumed normal activities. A mistake that many patients make is stopping their physical therapy once the ankle is pain-free. However, in addition to healing the injury and retraining the ligaments of the ankle, it’s essential to strengthen the muscles surrounding the ankle to help prevent future twists and injuries. This takes time and when patients terminate physical therapy before this occurs they open themselves up to the possibility of repeated ankle injuries.
Recognizing Chronic Ankle Issues
While some symptoms of a chronic ankle problem are obvious, some are subtler. For example, lower leg pain and pain on the outside of the ankle may indicate an ankle issue. Other symptoms include:
Treatment Options
If you are having intermittent or ongoing ankle discomfort, it’s important that you make an appointment with one of our foot and ankle surgeons, Dr. Victoria Foley and Dr. Constance Omelas to have your ankle evaluated. In addition to physically examining your ankle for tenderness and swelling, the foot doctor will ask questions about previous ankle injuries. She may also wish to get an x-ray or other imaging studies to get a clear picture of the condition of your ankle. Once the podiatrist knows the state of your ankle a treatment plan that best suits you can be developed. It may include:
To learn more, contact our Long Beach office by calling: (562) 420-9800.
Did you know that the leading cause of lower extremity amputations not caused by trauma is diabetes? And, foot ulcers precede 85 percent of these amputations. At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we want patients to know that diabetic foot ulcers can be prevented and our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley and Dr. Constance Omelas will work with you to develop a care regimen and monitor your feet as a diabetic patient. Adhering to a schedule of regular podiatric checkups is an important step in protecting your feet if you have diabetes. Below are other areas where you can be proactive in preventing ulcers:
Healthy Foot Habits—in addition to regular podiatric exams, doing your own self-exams at home is also very important. Foot ulcers commonly form on the soles of the feet so be sure you check the bottom of your feet carefully (or have someone do it for you) and the rest of your feet as well on a daily basis. Report any redness, sores, blisters, rashes or cuts to the foot doctor asap. You should also wash your feet daily and dry completely. Use foot powder and change your socks whenever you notice that your feet feel damp. This will reduce the risk of bacterial and fungal conditions which can lead to infections and wounds.
Footwear—the shoes you wear can play a big part in preventing conditions that can lead to wounds. Choose styles that are made of soft, flexible material and have wide, roomy toe boxes. Shoes that squeeze toes together can increase the risk of ingrown toenails and blisters and hasten the progression of toe problems like hammertoes and bunions. Periodically run your hand around the inside of your shoes to make sure there are no small pebbles stuck inside or loose stitching that can rub against the skin and cause an irritation.
Lifestyle Choices—one of the most important steps you can take for preventing ulcers is keeping your blood sugar levels where they should be. Follow the dietary plan your doctor has given you and fill your menus with nutrient-rich foods that are low in sugar. Don’t smoke because it impedes circulation. Limit alcohol use as this has been linked with an increased risk of foot ulcers.
If you have diabetes and have additional questions about how to best care for your feet and prevent diabetic complications, contact our Long Beach office by calling: (562) 420-9800.
At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we’ve heard horror stories of summer vacations that patients never got to enjoy because they were sidelined by a foot problem early on in their trip. We’d like to help prevent podiatric mishaps when traveling and so we are offering these 4 tips for safer summer vacations:
If your summer vacation leaves you with any unwanted souvenirs such as an ankle injury, an unexplained rash or foot pain, contact our Long Beach office as soon as you return by calling: (562) 420-9800. Our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley or Dr. Constance Omelas will help determine the cause of the problem and prescribe the right treatment to get you back to basking in the afterglow of your vacation.
Freedom is a word frequently associated with Independence Day and here at Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center, it’s also a reminder that many patients are wearing shoes that too small for their feet. Improperly fitting shoes is one of the top causes of foot pain and can lead to chronic foot disorders such as plantar fasciitis and fallen arches. Follow the tips below on your next shoe shopping trip to ensure a good fit:
If you are experiencing chronic foot aches and pains, schedule an appointment at our Long Beach office by calling: (562) 420-9800. Our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley or Dr. Constance Omelas will evaluate your feet and determine whether it’s your shoes or another problem that is causing your discomfort.
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