Blog
Monday, 25 January 2016 16:32
Denver Broncos’s David Bruton Jr. Plays With Fractured Fibula
The Denver Broncos’s David Bruton Jr. will be out for about 4 to 6 weeks as he recovers from a fractured right fibula. The injury occurred when Bruton Jr. collided with Aqib Talib of the Pittsburgh Steelers, but Bruton did not realize he had suffered an injury. He went on to keep playing and did not realize he had broken his fibula until almost a day later. Bruton Jr. needed to be helped to the locker room and was seen limping around in the last drives of the game.
Sports related foot and ankle injuries need proper treatment before players can go back to their regular routines. For more information, consult with Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Sport Related Foot and Ankle Injuries
Foot and ankle injuries are a common occurrence when it comes to athletes of any sport. While many athletes dismiss the initial aches and pains, the truth is that ignoring potential foot and ankle injuries can lead to serious problems. As athletes continue to place pressure and strain the area further, a mild injury can turn into something as serious as a rupture and may lead to a permanent disability. There are many factors that contribute to sports related foot and ankle injuries, which include failure to warm up properly, not providing support or wearing bad footwear. Common injuries and conditions athletes face, including:
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Plantar Fasciosis
- Achilles Tendinitis
- Achilles Tendon Rupture
- Ankle Sprains
Sports-related injuries are commonly treated using the RICE method. This includes rest, applying ice to the injured area, compression and elevating the ankle. More serious sprains and injuries may require surgery, which could include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery. Rehabilitation and therapy may also be required in order to get any recovering athlete to become fully functional again. Any unusual aches and pains an athlete sustains must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Monday, 18 January 2016 04:33
Managing Your Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis can be described as a condition in which the heel of the foot becomes inflamed with pain. This occurs when the fibrous band of tissues that connect your heel to your toe becomes infected. There are several solutions for treating plantar fasciitis. The first recommended tip is to go see your podiatrist. Consider taking over-the-counter calcium and magnesium supplements to help with managing your foot pain. Ice the bottom of your feet, stretch your calves, and massage your feet often to help reduce inflammation and pain.
Plantar fasciitis can be very painful and inconvenient. For more information, consult with Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, known as the plantar fascia, and causes mild to severe heel pain.
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis?
· Excessive running
· Non-supportive shoes
· Overpronation
· Repeated stretching and tearing of the plantar fascia
How Can It Be Treated?
· Conservative measures – anti-inflammatories, ice packs, stretching exercises, physical therapy, orthotic devices
· Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis
· Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel
While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Wednesday, 13 January 2016 11:16
Botox As A Possible Treatment for Hyperhidrosis
For those who have hyperhidrosis, Botox can be considered one potential treatment option in controlling sweat glands. Botox injections can help aid in the paralysis of over-exerting sweat glands, which results in hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating. Advanced Dermatology in Sydney, Australia, uses Botox as treatment for hyperhidrosis. “Hyperhidrosis is a serious condition affecting thousands of people, and it has a negative effect on their confidence in both social and professional settings,” says a spokesman. If you are suffering from hyperhidrosis, there are several different treatment choices to look into, with Botox being one potential option.
For more information, consult with Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Hyperhidrosis of the Feet
Hyperhidrosis is a rare disorder that can cause people to have excessive sweating of their feet. This can usually occur all on its own without rigorous activity involved. People who suffer from hyperhidrosis may also experience sweaty palms.
Although it is said that sweating is a healthy process meant to cool down the body temperature and to maintain a proper internal temperature, hyperhidrosis may prove to be a huge hindrance on a person’s everyday life.
Plantar hyperhidrosis is considered to be the main form of hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis can refer to sweating that occurs in areas other than the feet or hands and armpits. Often this may be a sign of it being related to another medical condition such as menopause, hyperthyroidism and even Parkinson’s disease.
In order to alleviate this condition, it is important to see your doctor so that they may prescribe the necessary medications so that you can begin to live a normal life again. If this is left untreated, it is said that it will persist throughout an individual’s life.
A last resort approach would be surgery, but it is best to speak with your doctor to find out what may be the best treatment for you.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Monday, 04 January 2016 05:21
New Invention of Customized 3D Printed Shoes
ATOSSA founder and product designer Behrad Ghodsi has purportedly invented a “new generation” of 3D printed shoes, which “embraces each person’s unique form and shapes itself accordingly.” The custom printed shoes resemble high heels, but are designed to promote style, comfort, and quality. ATOSSA requires users to take three pictures of the feet, which they can then use to create custom-made shoes. The footwear’s design is created with the user’s ergonomics in mind, which entails the support of the arch, ball and heel of the feet.
Proper foot care is important for biomechanics of the feet, which incorporate the parts that manage the movement of your feet. If you have any concerns about your feet contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
A History of Biomechanics
- Biomechanics dates back to the BC era in Egypt where evidence of professional foot care has been recorded.
- In 1974 biomechanics gained a higher profile from the studies of Merton Root, who claimed that by changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and the foot, corrections or conditions could be implemented to gain strength and coordination to the area.
Modern technology improvements are based on past theories and therapeutic processes providing a better understanding of podiatry concepts for biomechanics. Computers provide accurate determinations about the forces, moments and patterns of the foot and lower legs with the most important information captured.
Advances in materials and more awareness of biomechanics have developed enhanced corrective methods, offering further options for foot-related injuries. Understanding foot biomechanics can help improve and eliminate pain, stopping further stress to the foot.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Monday, 28 December 2015 04:06
North America has Largest Market for Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapeutics
According to a recent global study on Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), North America has the biggest market for rheumatoid arthritis therapeutics. Europe follows at second. An increasing number of patients with rheumatoid arthritis are emerging in North America, causing a rise in research and development, in awareness among people of the condition, and in improved healthcare in the region. Drugs that treat RA include pain relieving drugs, corticosteroids, disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologics, and non-biologic drugs.
Because RA affects more than just your joints, including the joints in your feet and ankles, it is important to seek early diagnosis from your podiatrist if you feel like the pain in your feet might be caused by RA. For more information about Rheumatoid Arthritis and its symptoms, consult with Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation of the lining and eventually the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone occur, causing severe pain and immobility.
Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet
Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, almost 90 percent of cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area.
Symptoms
- Swelling & pain in the feet
- Stiffness in the feet
- Pain on the ball or sole of feet
- Joint shift and deformation
Diagnosis
Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that the podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, occupation, and lifestyle to determine the origin of the condition. Rheumatoid Factor tests help to determine if someone is affected by the disease.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Monday, 21 December 2015 23:58
Changing Your Shoes for the Season
It’s important to make sure you have orthotic support in your footwear, especially as you transition to boots for the winter. Having supportive footwear can help ease pain in your heel, arch, and the ball of your foot. This can prevent further pain and discomfort in your knees, hips, and lower back. Look for shoes that have sufficient arch support or customize your own orthotics.
If you have any concerns about your feet contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
What are Orthotics?
Orthotics are inserts you can place into your shoes to help with a variety of foot problems such as flat feet or foot pain. Orthotics provide relief and comfort for minor foot and heel pain, but can’t correct serious biomechanical problems in your feet.
Over-the-Counter Inserts
Orthotics come in a wide variety of over-the-counter inserts that are used to treat foot pain, heel pain, and minor problems. For example, arch supports can be inserted into your shoes to help correct over arched or flat feet, while gel insoles are often used because they provide comfort and relief from foot and heel pain by alleviating pressure.
Prescription Orthotics
If over-the-counter inserts don’t work for you, or if you have a more severe foot issue, it is possible to have your podiatrist prescribe custom orthotics. These high quality inserts are designed to treat problems such as abnormal motion, plantar fasciitis, and more severe heel pain. They can even be used to help patients suffering from diabetes by treating foot ulcers and painful calluses, and are usually molded to your feet individually, which allows them to provide full support and comfort.
If you are experiencing minor to severe foot or heel pain, it’s recommended to speak with your podiatrist on the possibilities of using orthotics. A podiatrist can determine which type of orthotic is right for you and allow you to take the first steps towards being pain free.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Monday, 14 December 2015 08:18
Kenny Gaines of the Georgia Bulldogs Suffers a Lisfranc Injury
Kenny Gaines, a basketball player for the University of Georgia Bulldogs, is back on his feet after suffering a Lisfranc injury to his left foot last season. Lisfranc injuries result when a metatarsal bone is displaced from the tarsus. Gaines has been cleared by doctors to practice for the next three or four weeks, and he says that “I’ve been moving well in practice and I’ve felt great over the last couple weeks.” He also said that he wasn’t limited to playing just in his first game back, but is willing to practice as well. According to coach Mark Fox, Gaines is on break after the game because of some soreness, but that is typical of a Lisfranc injury.
Full recovery is much more difficult if one continues to play sports with a foot or ankle injury. If you have any concerns about your feet contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Playing Sports with Foot Injuries
Many types of foot injuries affect athletes over the course of their athletic career. Despite their setbacks, many of these athletes will continue to play with mild foot injuries and attempt to ‘push’ through the pain. In order to be able to prevent injuries, it is important to stretch before any activity, wear proper footwear and replace shoes as needed. Some of the foot injuries athletes are at risk for include:
- Turf toe- upward bending of the big toe outside normal range of motion
- Stress Fractures
- Overpronation- excessive foot movement during gait
- Plantar Fasciitis- swollen ligament in the foot’s base
- Strains
For more serious injuries it is recommended to consult with a podiatrist or orthopedic specialist as fractures and other serious conditions may require surgery.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Monday, 07 December 2015 20:23
Foot Exercise to Maintain the Feet During Marathon Season
Cooler weather makes for prime conditions for marathon season, when runners will be out training to their fullest. To ensure that the feet are kept in top shape, there are a simple set of eleven exercises one can follow. Toe flexion, ankle dorsiflexion, ankle eversion, ankle plantarflexion, rotating the ankles, wiggling the toes, curling the toes, spreading the toes, pointing the toes out, pointing the toes in, and the butterfly stretch can all stretch the feet and add support and strength. For optimal results, exercise using a Thera-band.
Exercising your feet regularly with the proper foot wear is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any concerns about your feet contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Exercise for Your Feet
Exercise for your feet can help you to gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important and often we forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate not to have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure its good health in the long run.
Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rise, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, also flexing the toes and involving the shins may help too. It is best to speak with your doctor regarding how to do these fitness steps and how often is right for you. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different and it varies from individual to individual to determine what should be done for you to maintain strength in your feet.
Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Monday, 30 November 2015 19:59
University Students donate Shoes to over 300 Children
Student athletes from the University of Central Arkansas shoes to over 300 Conway children through the international project Shoes of Hope. The project aims to bring children together by washing their feet and then giving them a new pair of shoes. For this event, the University’s athletes raised over $5,000. Graham Gibbs of Samaritan’s Feet shared, “60 percent of kids K through 12 in Arkansas are either on or eligible for free and reduced lunches. So that’s a demographic stat that we use to gauge need. If they’re needing food, they’re needing clothes, they’re needing shoes.”
Looking out for potential foot and ankle injuries as well as general health is vital in maintaining proper development in children’s feet. If you have any concerns contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Keeping Children's Feet Healthy
Having healthy feet in childhood can help prevent medical problems later in life, namely in the back and legs. As children grow, their feet require different types of care from birth to school-age.
Although babies do not walk yet, it is still very important to take care of their feet.
- Avoid putting tight shoes or socks on his or her feet
- Allow the baby to stretch and kick his or her feet to feel comfortable
As a toddler, kids are now on the move and begin to develop differently. At this age toddlers are getting a feel for walking, so don’t be alarmed if your toddler is unsteady or ‘walks funny’. Be sure the child wears comfortable and protective shoes so that they can grow into their feet properly.
As your child gets older, it is important to teach them how to take care of their feet
- Show them proper hygiene to prevent infections such as fungus
- Be watchful of any pain or injury
- Have all injuries checked by a doctor as soon as possible
- Comfortable, protective shoes should always be worn, especially at play
Children of all ages are constantly developing and growing, and as a parent you want to make sure that nothing is hindering their maturation.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Monday, 23 November 2015 00:00
Research Allows a Greater Understanding of Peripheral Neuropathy
New research will create greater understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of peripheral neuropathy and hopefully lead to new treatments, Medical News Today reports. The new discovery involves the activity of the brain’s anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), thought to be the area often involved in pain processing. In peripheral neuropathy, the damaged nerve fibers have a heightened response to normal singers and send incorrect messages to pain centers in the brain. In diabetic neuropathy, one of the most common forms of peripheral neuropathy, pain often begins in the feet before moving up the legs.
Nerve disorders of the feet and ankles can become very cumbersome. If you have any concerns about your feet and ankles contact Dr. Kevin H. Lapoff of Lake Worth Podiatry. Our doctor will treat your foot and ankle needs.
Nerve Disorders of the Foot and Ankle
There are two nerve disorders of the foot and ankle called Interdigital Neuroma and Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. These conditions affect the hands as well, and are caused by stress and genetics. People who suffer from Interdigital Neuroma and Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome are prone to serious pain and inflammation in the area.
Pain that is associated with Interdigital Neuroma is often from local inflammation in the nerves in the front of the foot. Symptoms include pain, burning, and/or tingling sensations of the toes.
There are several steps a doctor will take to determine if one has Neuroma such as: radiographs, MRIs, and bone scans. Surgery is not required in many instances, and should only be considered when the patient is suffering from persistent pain.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that is less common than Interdigital Neuroma. It only seems to affect patients who have severe ankle pain which begins in the bottom of the foot extending all the way to the calf. In other instances one may encounter partial numbness and atrophy if the cases are extreme.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Lake Worth, FL. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
