Displaying items by tag: foot and ankle health

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.

Treating Ankle Sprains

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:

• Get medical treatment as soon as possible—ankle sprains require professional assessment. The severity of the sprain may not be obvious to the patient. Sometimes a sprain injury has also caused a fracture. Continuing to walk or play on a sprained ankle can lead to a worse injury. Contact our Long Beach office at (562) 420-9800 office for an appointment as soon as possible after an ankle-twisting injury so that our podiatrists, Victoria M. Foley and Dr. Constance Ornelas, can evaluate your injury and determine the best course of treatment.
• Use RICE—this self-treatment regimen is the best way to control pain and prevent further damage while you await your appointment. It stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
• Follow the podiatrist’s instructions—you may need to take a break from a favorite sport to allow time to heal, use an ankle brace, or complete other treatment protocols to get back to full and normal use of your ankle but—take it from an Olympic athlete—it’s worth it!

At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we want our Los Angeles County patients to understand the importance of strong bones for your feet and ankles. There are 26 bones in each of your feet and these bones have the important job of supporting and carrying the rest of your body. May is National Osteoporosis Month and a good opportunity for us to share some information on ways you can improve bone strength.

Partner with Your Podiatrist— Our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria M. Foley and Dr. Constance Ornelas, will help you assess your risk for osteoporosis. The foot doctor will want to know if you have a family history of osteoporosis or have had any fractures in the past. She will also ask questions about your lifestyle to help get a more complete picture of your risk for this disease. Together, you can formulate a plan to help prevent osteoporosis. It may include some or all of the following areas.

Ensure Enough Calcium and Vitamin D in Your Diet—These are the critical nutrient building blocks for strong bones. The best-known source of calcium is dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese. But you can also get a fair amount of calcium from leafy greens, canned sardines and salmon and certain other foods. There are also supplements as well as cereals, juices, and breads that are fortified with calcium and vitamin D.

Exercise Regularly—It’s important to have both weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise as part of your fitness routine. Consider adding some exercise designed to increase balance too as this will help prevent falls which can result in fractures. If your exercise regimen has become stale, consider trying a new activity like dancing, tennis, or hiking. Join a gym, take a class or team up with a buddy and commit to a weekly fitness plan.

Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices—Several habits impact bone strength that you may not immediately identify. Smoking, excessive use of alcohol, not eating enough fruits and vegetables and being overweight can all contribute to bone weakness.

If you have concerns about the health of your bones and your feet, contact our Long Beach office at (562) 420-9800 today.