Osteochondritis

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Are you having pain and stiffness in your ankle?

Persistent pain in your foot or ankle can be very frustrating as it impairs your ability to carry out daily tasks or takes you out of activities. Dr. Tina Boucher, foot specialist in Meriden, CT regularly sees patients complaining of ankle pain and ready for relief.

If you are experiencing pain and stiffness in your ankle joint, it could be the result of a condition called osteochondritis. This is a common condition that most often develops after you have had a twisting-type injury to your ankle. During an injury, a piece of cartilage from the end of a bone in your ankle can “chip” off or become loose. Sometimes a chipped piece of cartilage stays in place leaving no pain or symptoms. It is when a fragment of cartilage moves and and gets caught between a joint that pain or stiffness can develop. Swelling and aching are also common symptoms we hear from patients at our podiatric office.

This sounds like what I may have, what can be done?

This is one of those conditions where the early it is diagnosed and treated the better. Rest and immobilization in a cast can give the bone injury time to heal. If the condition is more severe, surgery may be needed to remove the loose fragments of cartilage. The area where the fragment broke off from may need to be addressed as well. This can be done by drilling holes which stimulates blood vessels resulting in scar tissue that fills in the area.

To avoid surgery, please call us today if you are experiencing nagging, aching pain or stiffness in your ankle. Dr. Boucher can diagnose the severity of your injury and start appropriate treatment immediately. Call our office at (203) 238-3668 or visit us at www.centralctfootcare.com.

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Blue Ridge Trail Head or Pennsylvania Avenue - Pros and Cons of Trail Running

Kilian Jornet, during his winning run at 08 UTMB (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Runners are always looking for something to make their somewhat lonely and tedious sport a bit more interesting and challenging. One of the options that they exercise is trail running. Many runners believe that the softer footing is better for the health of feet and ankles and in some circumstances it is. But the looser terrain and frequent obstacles can pose a trip and fall or sprain injury hazard if you lose focus for so much as one moment. Another thing that trail runners need to be concerned with is the rise in the terrain. There is some question as to how steep the angle is before it has an adverse effect on the Achilles tendon. The selection of a surface to run on may be more of a choice based on what type of pain, if any, that you are dealing with. Whereas running on the street provides a flat level surface, it is somewhat hard.  However, studies show that our bodies are somewhat adaptive. The softer terrain of trail running may have its own appeal, at first thought, but there are masked dangers like stumps, rocks, holes and an uneven path under foot. Roadways are equally hazard strewn, but you are closer to help if need be, or help is closer to you.

If you are weighing your options, remember there are other suitable surfaces that offer you a safe and pleasant experience. These alternatives may include:

• Grass
• Dirt roads
• Athletic tracks
• Treadmills
• Sand

A park like setting and a run on the grass provides an appealing alternative. The grass provides spring underfoot and will definitely lessen the impact forces. You will have to contend with other people, bicycles, dogs on leashes, holes in the grass and possibly debris. Dirt roads are softer than concrete or asphalt and provide good stability for the feet and ankles. Athletic tracks with their extruded rubber or other synthetic surfaces may be the perfect blend between soft and sturdy, but it would do nothing to alleviate boredom, and could possibly cause an overuse problem such as iliotibial band syndrome which causes pain in the outer knee. Treadmills provide yet another opportunity, but most runners would prefer the outdoors. If you are running on a treadmill, to optimize your workout, adjust it to an incline. There is no scenery on a treadmill, so tedium may set in, but it is an option, especially for cold or rainy stretches. Sand on the beach is one more possibility. No prettier or more enjoyable than a run there. If you are new to running on sand, you might want to condition first by staying on the firmer wet sand.

Options presented here should help you to make a decision. Our best advice is...mixing it up. If an injury does occur, you are lucky to have Dr. Boucher at your toe tips. She provides a full range of podiatric services, with a little compassion and humor thrown in for good measure. Call her at (203)238-3668 and let her heal your feet.

References:

http://www.fitsugar.com/What-Iliotibial-Band-Why-Does-Cause-Me-Pain-69008
http://voices.yahoo.com/pros-cons-trail-running-7004092.html

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Ankle Sprains and Fractures

An ankle sprain is an injury to one or more ligaments in the ankle, usually on the outside of the ankle. Ligaments are bands of tissue- like rubber bands- that connect one bone to another and bind the joints together. In the ankle joint, ligaments provide stability by limiting side-by-side movement. However, not all ankle injuries are sprains; they can be fractures of bone, fractures of cartilage, or even torn tendons or ligaments.

In children, ankle injuries can be growth plate injuries. Ankle injuries often result from a fall, a sudden twist, or a blow that forces the ankle out of its normal position. Anke sprains commonly occur while participating in sports, wearing inappropriate shoes, or walking or running on an uneven surface. The signs and symptoms of ankle sprains may include: pain or soreness, swelling, bruising, difficulty walking, and stiffness in the joint. All ankle injuries need professional attention; neglecting them can lead to more serious problems. These problems can be avoided by prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Not treating an acute ankle sprain can lead to problems. When one sprains their ankle, the ligaments stretch. In fact, there are micro-tears of the ligament fibers. If not treated immediately, scar tissue can form between these torn fibers. This will lead to a very tight and painful ankle and makes it more difficult to treat.
In evaluating your injury, your podiatrist will obtain a thorough history of your pain and examine your foot. You will likely have X-Rays taken as well. Your podiatrist will also recommend R.I.C.E- Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation for your treatment, as well as physical therapy and pain medications. Surgery is only typically required in very extreme cases.
Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order Your Free Copy of "Why Do My Feet Hurt" or "Heal My Heel" today!

Heat Things Up With Winter Sports

Skiing at a resort or gliding across an indoor ice rink make for great winter recreation. Use caution in winter sports though, so you can finish the day with hot cocoa instead of a cast and crutches.

Beginning ice skaters experience a lot of falls. When that happens, tendons can sprain or tear. Even experienced skaters can fracture an ankle.

Downhill skiiers, cross-country skiiers, and snowboarders also risk injuries to their feet and ankles, including sprains, fractures, and dislocations.

If you do get injured, let our office check it out. It may be a sprain or a fracture, and it's important to get medical treatment promptly for both conditions. An ankle sprain could lead to chronic ankle instability if left untreated. If it's a fracture, you don't want the bones to start healing if they aren't aligned properly.

If an x-ray shows you don't have a fracture, you may still have stretched a tendon or injured a joint. These may worsen without proper treatment and could cause arthritis, tissue damage, and problems with foot alignment. We can help you head off these complications.

Follow these tips to help prevent injuries:

• Make sure skates, ski boots, or snowboard boots fit properly. Lace up ice skates tightly enough to give your ankle proper support.
• If you haven't engaged in this sport since last winter, start two weeks ahead of time doing specific exercises to condition the muscles used in that sport. You can find conditioning and warm-up exercises and resources by doing an Internet search.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM

Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist in Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today!