Keep Your Feet Feeling Young

The Snowboarding Halfpipe event became an Olympic event in 1998. It was the beginning of the traditional Olympics embracing the less traditional X-games. Derived from skateboarding, snowboarding was slow to be embraced by ski slopes. In fact, there was much animosity between skiers and snowboarders. Some ski areas actually banned snowboarders from their facilities.

Today, more than 97% of ski areas embrace snowboarding. Half of those have special areas specific for snowboarding, including rails, jumps, and halfpipes.

Injuries most commonly associated with snowboarding include fractures of the wrist and ankles. The best way to avoid injury is to use proper form and protective equipment. Snowboarding boots should be well-fitted, with toes snug in the end of the boot to minimize movement.

The Gilden Tree Exfoliating Foot Scrub is a creamy, deep-cleansing scrub that leaves skin sensuously soft and velvety. This scrub is wonderful to use – whipped, so it spreads easily, creamy enough to be moisturizing on its own, and with very even, gentle pumice to exfoliate dry skin on feet and body. It’s made with with Certified Organic Aloe Vera, but with a cream base, not soap so it leaves skin softer and more moisturized.

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There was an article in the July 23 edition of the Wall Street Journal about Cankles, which is a word used to describe thick or fatty ankles. It is a combination of calf and ankle and is not usually used in a flattering way.

It seems that now that all other areas of the body have been firmed and sculpted, the ankles are getting their due. The article states that Gold’s Gym declared July to be “Cankles Awareness Month” with workouts devoted to the ankle. Even with their Cankles-busting workout, though, it may not show much improvement.

For those who just don’t want to give up on those perfect-looking ankles, plastic surgeons are advertising liposuction for ankles to remove the fatty deposits. The concern is that there can be trauma to the surrounding vessels and tendons that squeeze through the ankle to enter the foot. There are also people who are finding temporary relief by applying Preparation H hemorrhoid cream to their ankles.

Your ankles are meant to be functional. In many cases the heftier ankles are due to the formation of the achilles tendon lower than usual, so what you see is the muscle belly. In those cases, toning your ankles may even make them seem larger! Before you do anything to affect your ankles, or any other part of your body, be sure to discuss it with your physician. Also take a long look objectively and see if it is really something that you need to do. In most cases, it’s just not worth it.

I just got my newest video for my website back from the editor and thought you’d like a sneak preview. It’ll be on my website shortly, but I got it up on YouTube so you can take a look now.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDEFXmIN5Og[/youtube]

Seriously…that was a real question that one of my patient’s was asked on her Facebook page. No, it wasn’t a joke. She mentioned that she was going to see the Podiatrist and her friend responded “What’s that? An iPod doctor?” I’m stunned too!

He’s not alone though. I remember traveling by bus from New York to Philadelphia for my interview. The guy who sat next to me asked what I was going for and I told him and interview for Podiatry. He then spent the next hour telling me how much he loved kids. Podiatrist, pediatrician, close enough, right?

So…just in case you want to bring me your iPod or that I’ll help your kids with their ear infection (I do treat kids’ foot problems, though). Here’s my explanation:

A podiatrist is a doctor that specializes in treating all disorders of the foot and ankle. After college a podiatrist attends four years of school and then a hospital-based residency program. Podiatrists treat children, my youngest patient is under one year old, and also treat adults into their geriatric years. In my practice, I’ll see the marathon runner who has developed pain due to overtraining and poor mechanics. I’ll see the person with diabetes who has an open wound due to pressure. I take care of warts, ingrown toenails, athlete’s foot, and infections. If someone steps on a tack, I’ll be here to take it out. If you suffer with bunions, hammertoes, or a neuroma, I can do the surgery to get you feeling better. If you have flat feet, I can fit you for a custom orthotic so you won’t even think about it. Break a bone? No problem, come on in and I’ll x-ray it and get you fixed up.

Get it now? Simply put, a podiatrist is the premier physician to handle any foot or ankle problem. To learn more, order my FREE book “One Step Ahead: The Foot Owner’s Manual” by clicking here.

By the way…I am pretty good with an iPod too!

It was reported that while on a trip to Africa to tour orphanages to possibly adopt another child (admirable), Madonna had exercise equipment flown in. While on the treadmill, she flew off the back of it and twisted her ankle. The pain was enough to have her writhing in pain and forced her to cancel her tour. Fortunately, she will be able to take her newly adopted daughter home this weekend.

Ankle sprains are often written off as minor injuries, although there is very often torn ligaments involved. If it is not addressed in a proper fashion, the ligaments will heal in a stretched position, leading to future ankle instability.

A recent study had shown that a sprained ankle addressed quickly with immobilization fared much better than others that were not well-addressed. No surprise! Immobilization maintains the ankle in a stable position and allows the ligaments and other damaged tissues to heal well.

As with many sports injuries, the RICE principle applies: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. To run on a sprained ankle is only doing you a great disservice. The long term damage that can be done by not resting after an injury can dramatically increase the likelihood of future injuries.

Ice will help to reduce and limit inflammation and swelling. This will also minimize the pain involved. The rule of thumb for icing is 20 minutes on and 40 minutes off. Compression can be as simple as a using an ACE bandage or elastic ankle brace. That, along with elevation, helps to also moderate swelling and provides stability to the ankle.

I’m sure Madonna will be back in good marching order shortly (or she’ll hire people to carry her around). One has to think though, wouldn’t it have just been easier to go outside for a run?

Ask the casual reality show observer which show would end up with more foot and ankle injuries. I’m sure many would think Survivor, right? After all…malnourished on a remote area. Physical challenges abound. Catch your own food…sounds logical, right?

Turns out Dancing with the Stars has them beat by a landslide. Over the several seasons, Dancing with the Stars boasts the following:

• Misty May-Treanor: ruptured Achilles Tendon (after successfully winning an Olympic Gold unscathed)
• Susan Lucci: Sprained Ankle/Stress Fracture
• Lance Bass: Broken toe
• Jewel: Fractured tibia
• Kristi Yamaguchi: Ankle injury
• Brooke Burke: Injured foot
• Karina Smirnoff: Ankle sprain

Now compared to foot and ankle injuries from Survivor:

• (staring up and whistling)

So how can we explain this. Quite simply, actually. Dancing is a sport. It requires discipline, practice, and a high level of fitness. So like any sport, it’s going to carry with it a wide variety of injuries. Couple that with taking celebrities who are not professional dancers and putting them through the rigor of training for the dance routines with their professional partners that they are not prepared for.

Look who are the most successful to date: Sports stars…Kristi Yamaguchi, Emmitt Smith, Apolo Anton Ono. And the favorites this year? Shawn Johnson (Olympic Gold Medal Gymnast) and Lawrence Taylor (Super Bowl Winner). As in all sports, conditioning and training still are the key to excellence.

If you’re a sports lover like myself, you’re hearing more and more that athletes are out with a “high ankle sprain.” You especially hear about this in basketball and football where you have lots of feet being planted on the ground and pivoting. So what’s the difference between a high ankle sprain and your average, run of the mill ankle sprain?

A traditional ankle sprain, or twisted ankle, most commonly involves damage to the ligaments that connect the bones in the legs, the tibia and fibula, to the bones in the foot. This type of injury will cause swelling on the outside of the ankle, and often bruising will be seen. The best initial treatment for this is applying the “RICE” principle: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Taking anti-inflammatory medication can also help. If the pain is not significantly better in the first 24-36 hours, you should visit your podiatrist.

A high ankle sprain is an injury to the ligaments that connect the two bones in the legs, the tibia and fibula. They’re called “high” ankle sprains because the injury occurs above the ankle level in the lower leg. These injuries are tougher to diagnose because the symptoms are usually more dull than their more traditional components and present with little or no swelling. Treatment for a high ankle sprain also includes the “RICE” principle. If the pain does not improve quickly, visit your podiatrist. Some sports figures who have had high ankle sprains include Tom Brady of the New England Patriots, Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys, and Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks.

For those who habitually sprain their ankles, exercising with an ankle brace is important. The more one sprains the ankle, the easier and more likely future sprains are to occur. A wide array of ankle braces and supports can be found in our store.

For more information, visit our website.

You just started a new workout program and everything aches. You’d like nothing better than to soak in a warm bath to soothe those muscles. Is that the right thing to do?

You were out for a walk, stepped in a hole, and twisted your ankle and now it’s bruised and swollen. Do you use ice or put a heating pad on it?

This is one of the most common questions I receive. It’s also one of the more common things that people do incorrectly. It does make sense…heat on something for a long time makes it feel good. Ice becomes uncomfortable after having it on for a few minutes. So heat should be better, right?

As it turns out, ice is universally better for acute injuries and even some chronic ones. Ice serves as a natural anti-inflammatory and functions to constrict the blood vessels, thereby reducing the blood flow to the injured area. Blood carries in it factors responsible for inflammation. Having less of these present minimizes the swelling, bruising, and pain associated with inflammation. The sooner you apply an ice pack to a sprain or strain, the sooner it can do its job reducing pain and swelling. For chronic problems such as low back pain or muscle spasms, ice whenever the symptoms start up.

You do need to take some precautions with ice, thought. Never put ice directly on the injury…always wrap it in a towel first. Only keep ice on for 20 minutes and then take a break for at least 40 minutes. After 20 minutes, you lose the efficacy and can damage the soft tissues.

Heat does have its place, also. Heat increases blood flow and restore movement to injured tissue. Heat can also help pain and stiffness in joints, such as the resulting pain from osteoarthritis. Heat shouldn’t be used on a new injury, however, since the increase in blood flow will cause an increase in swelling and pain and can cause more harm than good. When you apply heat, use it for 20 to 30 minutes and then take a break.

If you have diabetes, please remember that your sensation may be diminished in your hands and feet. You should check the heat of the pad with an area that has full sensation, such as your elbow. You also need to make sure that you only apply cold for the recommended period of time and stop if you notice any change in color to the area.

With any injury, a never-fail way to treat yourself is with RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. If it’s not feeling better then make sure you call your local physician. For more information, be sure to visit www.tanglewoodfootspecialists.com.