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At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we’re sure many of our Los Angeles County patients are following the athletes and events connected to the long-awaited Summer Olympics scheduled to take place in Tokyo later this summer. Along with thrilling competition, there’s sure to be some sports injuries such as the one sustained by Canadian shot put thrower, Brittany Crew. Crew was competing in Arizona at the Tucson Elite Classic in May when she suffered a freak accident that resulted in a Grade 2 sprain to her right ankle. When her left foot hit the toe board it slid, unexpectedly shifting all the force to the right ankle. Crew remembers hearing a pop and then her ankle went numb.
Fortunately, Crew is well on the road to recovery, and it looks like she should be in top form to compete in the Olympics. She has, however, decided to sit out the Olympic Trials in order to give her ankle additional time to heal. This wise move exemplifies one of the most important factors in recovering from an ankle injury: not rushing the rehabilitation. Unfortunately, many patients cut physical therapy short once their ankle stops hurting and this leads to the number one cause of repeated ankle sprains which is not recovering fully from an initial sprain. In addition to overstretched ligaments, the muscles that surround and support the ankle need to get stronger and this takes additional time. Other steps to achieving a full recovery include:
At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we know that pain at the back of your heel can be quite debilitating. What starts as an annoying ache can quickly turn into excruciating pain that makes walking difficult. For our Los Angeles County patients that may be experiencing these uncomfortable symptoms, here are three possible causes.
Haglund’s Deformity—this is a bony enlargement that forms at the back of your heel. This condition may be the result of an inherited structural issue like a high arch or a tight Achilles tendon. It can also be caused by wearing shoes with stiff backs that rub on the heel—hence this deformity’s other name: pump bump.
Bursitis—small sacs that are filled with fluid—known as bursas—are found throughout the body near joints and bones. They serve as protection from friction and provide a little extra lubrication. When a bursa becomes irritated due to repetitive motion or pressure it can become painfully inflamed. Haglund’s deformity is one cause of bursitis but it may also be the result of repetitive action from exercise or another medical condition such as gout, diabetes or arthritis.
Achilles Tendonitis—this long tendon that runs down the back of your lower leg connects your calf muscle to the heel bone. It can be aggravated or injured from overuse such as someone whose job involves climbing a ladder. Athletes and “weekend warriors” who suddenly increase the intensity of their workout routine may also suffer from Achilles issues.
The only way to find out for sure what’s causing your back of heel pain is to let our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria M. Foley and Dr. Constance Ornelas, examine your foot and conduct the necessary tests to get to the bottom of the problem. You can contact our Long Beach office at (562) 420-9800 office for an appointment. To learn more about foot health and conditions we treat check out our video library.
Each June we recognize Men’s Health Month and at Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we think it’s a great opportunity to share with our Los Angeles County patients some tips for improving foot health for men.
One of the biggest differences in the way men and women approach health care, in general, is that women tend to be more proactive in taking care of health issues. Studies show that men are more likely to put off seeing a doctor until a problem is really bad. When it comes to your feet (and the rest of your body), detecting disorders in their earliest stages leads to quicker and more successful outcomes.
If you have specific questions about a foot issue, don’t hesitate to contact us.
At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we know many of our Los Angeles County patients can’t wait to take a vacation. After a year plus of Covid restrictions, you’ve got places to go and people to see! Our goal is to make sure a painful foot problem doesn’t slow you down. Below are four potential pitfalls you’ll want to avoid on your summer vacation.
We hope you and your family have a great vacation this summer. If you find a foot or ankle is hurting you when you return, or you notice other unusual symptoms in your feet, be sure to contact our Long Beach office at (562) 420-9800 office promptly for an appointment.
At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we know that many of our Los Angeles County patients welcome the summer season and the shoe wardrobe that accompanies it. While it’s always fun to wear fashionable footwear that suits the season our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria M. Foley and Dr. Constance Ornelas, always have the health and safety of your feet as a top priority. Below are some do’s and don’ts to consider when making summer shoe choices:
Do: contact our Long Beach office at (562) 420-9800 to schedule an appointment with our podiatrists if you have a chronic foot condition and require specific shoe style recommendations.
Do: make sure all your summer shoes fit properly. Discard shoes that hurt your feet whenever you wear them. Get your feet professionally measured when buying new summer shoes.
Do: use flip flops around the town pool, at the beach and other public places where there are lots of bare feet. This will help prevent common fungal infections like athlete’s foot and toenail fungus. Don’t use these shoes as your daily summer footwear choice, however, unless you buy upgraded versions that feature arch support and more structure to prevent injuries.
Don’t: forget to apply sunscreen to your feet when wearing sandals and other open styles that expose the skin on your feet.
Do: consider wedge-style heels over spikes for greater stability and reduced risk of ankle sprains.
Do: alternate the heel heights on the shoes you wear to prevent repetitive strain on your Achilles tendon and calf muscles. Avoid heels that are over two inches.
Don’t: wear flats for heavy walking days. While they may feel comfortable initially, the lack of an arch will ultimately lead to heel pain and discomfort.
Don’t: wear flip-flops for beach volleyball or sandals for hiking. Always choose the right shoe for the activity you are doing.
Do: wear socks with your sneakers to prevent blisters and absorb sweat. Change your socks as soon as you notice they feel damp. Fungal infections thrive in moist, dark places.
Do: keep moleskin with you to apply to any spot on your foot that feels like it might be forming a blister.
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