Surgical Procedure Can Correct Crossover Toe, Keep Seniors Active

Crossover toe is a common foot problem that can inhibit physical activity for older Americans, but out-patient surgery can correct the deformity and keep senior citizens active and on their feet.

Individuals with hammertoes, bunions or a second toe that extends beyond the big toe are most susceptible to developing crossover toe as they age.

It’s a common problem among older people in which the second toe gradually moves across the big toe. It can be painful and, therefore, difficult to walk comfortably or pursue an active lifestyle.

The first symptom of crossover toe is pain in the ball of the foot. A tear in the joint makes the second toe unstable. It falls out of alignment and eventually drifts.

Doctors normally check the ball of the foot for a possible plantar-plate tear when an older patient complains of pain in the area. Pre-existing forefoot problems combined with normal wear and tear or possible trauma can cause the plate to tear over time.

If the pain persists and the toe starts to drift, surgery is recommended to suture the plantar plate or replace it through a tendon-transfer.

Surgery to correct crossover toe is an outpatient procedure performed with a local anesthesia. Patients with bunions or hammertoes are advised to have those deformities corrected during the surgery. Recovery time is about six weeks.

If you're an older adult with persistent pain in the ball of your foot, it's in your best interest to see a doctor, therefore give our office a call to set-up a consultation.

Heel Pain in Youth Athletes: A Warning Sign

Indoors and outdoors, youth athletes stay active year-round in competitive sports, and for many of them heel pain has become “just another part of the game,” however heel pain, should be diagnosed promptly because it may be a warning sign of a serious foot problem.

Heel pain occurs frequently in children ages 6 to 14 as their feet grow and the heel bone develops. As children become more active in sports they increase their risk for growth-plate injuries and subsequent heel pain. This is especially true at back-to-school time when surgeons see an increase in middle and high school athletes experiencing heel pain with football and soccer seasons simultaneously underway.

New bone forms in an area behind the heel, known as the growth plate, and cartilage is vulnerable to severe inflammation from strain or stress. With repeated stresses and strains from overactivity, the heel becomes very painful.

Even though growth-plate trauma is the leading cause of heel pain in young people, this condition can be difficult to diagnose. Parents should be concerned if a child has pain in the back or bottom of the heel, limps, walks on the toes, or seems to have difficulty participating in normal recreational activities. This condition is diagnosed via a thorough examination of the child’s feet and legs and possibly medical imaging tests to rule out other serious causes of heel pain, such as bursitis, tendonitis and/or fractures.

In most cases, mild or moderate heel pain can be treated successfully with shoe inserts to soften the impact on the heel, anti-inflammatory medications, stretching and physical therapy. In severe cases, the foot and ankle will be immobilized in a cast and, in some instances, surgery may be necessary.

If your child is experiencing heel or foot pain, please call our office to set-up a consultation, 440-946-5858, to allow your child to play with no pain.

Back to School Shoe Shopping

The sounds of school bells, slamming locker doors and students clammering into classrooms are being heard once again. With the start of a new school year, parents are eagerly seeking a wide array of school supplies and new fashions for their children. One of the most important purchases on a parent’s back to school shopping list is a new pair of shoes. With the numerous styles and fashions of shoes, several important factors must be considered:

-Children’s feet change with age: Shoe and sock sizes may change every few months as a child’s feet grow.
-Never hand down foot wear: Just because a shoe size fits one child comfortably does not mean it will fill another the same way. Also, sharing shoes can spread athlete’s foot and nail fungus infections.
-Examine the heels of your child’s shoe. Children may wear through the heels of shoes quicker than out-growing shoes themselves. Uneven heel wear can indicate a foot problem that should be evaluated by a foot/ankle physician.
-Shoes that do not fit properly can aggravate the feet: Always measure a child’s feet before buying shoes and watch for signs of irritation.
-Always buy for the larger foot: Feet are seldom the same size.
-Buy shoes that do not need a “break-in” period: Shoes should be comfortable immediately. Also, make sure to have your child try on shoes with socks or tights, if that’s how they will be worn.

If you do notice a problem with your child's feet, please do not hestitate to give our office a call and set-up a consultation, 440-946-5858.

Another Victim to Achilles Tendon Tear

Another well know person, falls victim to an Achilles tendon rupture. Punter Reggie Hodges of the Cleveland Browns, one of the AFC's best last season, tore his Achilles tendon last Tuesday during traning camp and will be out for the season. Team president Mike Holmgren said he will have surgery later this week.

If you or someone you know suffers from pain in the Achilles tendon area and possibly has a traumatic injury, please feel free to contact our office and set-up a consultation, 440-946-5858. We always have emergency slots!

Alex Trebek Jeopardizes his Foot/Ankle

Alex Trebek, the famous Jeopardy host, tore his Achilles tendon last week after chasing a burglar from his hotel room. He jeopardized his ability to walk due to this sudden foot injury. Alex tore his Achilles tendon, which is a severe injury that will keep him off of his feet for a while and entails a long period of recover.

An Achilles tendon rupture is a complete or partial tear that occurs when the tendon is stretched beyond its capacity. Forceful jumping or pivoting, or sudden accelerations of running, can overstretch the tendon and cause a tear. An injury to the tendon can also result from falling or tripping.

Achilles tendon ruptures are most often seen in "weekend warriors" – typically, middle-aged people participating in sports in their spare time. Less commonly, illness or medications, such as steroids or certain antibiotics, may weaken the tendon and contribute to ruptures.

Signs and symptoms of a person with a ruptured Achilles tendon may include sudden pain (which feels like a kick or a stab) in the back of the ankle or calf, a popping or snapping sensation, swelling on the back of the leg between the heel and the calf, difficulty in walking (especially upstairs or uphill) and/or difficulty rising up on the toes.

Treatment options for an Achilles tendon rupture include surgical and non-surgical approaches. The decision of whether to proceed with surgery or non-surgical treatment is based on the severity of the rupture and the patient’s health status and activity level.

Non-surgical treatment, which is generally associated with a higher rate of re-rupture, is selected for minor ruptures, less active patients, and those with medical conditions that prevent them from undergoing surgery. Non-surgical treatment involves use of a cast, walking boot or brace to restrict motion and allow the torn tendon to heal.

Surgery, which Alex underwent, offers important potential benefits. Besides decreasing the likelihood of re-rupturing the Achilles tendon, surgery often increases the patient’s push-off strength and improves muscle function and movement of the ankle. Various surgical techniques are available to repair the rupture. The surgeon will select the procedure best suited to the patient.

If you or someone you know suffers from pain in the Achilles tendon area and possibly has a traumatic injury, please feel free to contact our office and set-up a consultation, 440-946-5858. We always have emergency slots!

FOOT OF THE CLASS

The sounds of back to school season include the ringing of school bells and cash registers, the slamming of locker doors, the noisy ruckus of school hallways and cafeterias, and the moans and groans of students over tests, homework, relationships, and increasingly, their aching feet.

Flip-flops are the summer footwear of choice for many students. But while these sandals are inexpensive and stylish, they don’t cushion or support the foot, leading to problems. After wearing flip-flops all summer, some students will head back to school this fall with foot pain and even injuries.

People may not realize that even into your mid-teens, there’s new bone growing in your heel. Flip-flops don’t cushion the heel, so repetitive stress from walking can inflame that heel bone growth area and cause pain and tenderness. Heel pain and arch pain rank among the most common complaints among students who wear flip-flops. Other flip-flop feet problems students can take back to school include inflammation of the Achilles tendon, painful pinched nerves, sprained ankles, broken or sprained toes, cuts and scrapes, plantar warts, Athlete’s foot, and callus build-up on the heels and toes.

Simple treatment methods can be done to reduce or eliminate students’ foot pain. These include stretching exercises, ice massage, anti-inflammatory medications and custom and/or over-the-counter shoe inserts.

Back to school season will always be painful for some students, but it doesn’t need to involve foot pain. If you or your child is suffering from foot pain please give our office a call and set-up a consultation, 440-946-5858.

Simple At-Home Checks to Aid in Underlying Foot Problems In Your Child

Back to school season is getting underway, therefore I recommend parents take five minutes to inspect their child's feet for problems that could sideline your son or daughter from sports and/or other activities.

Some warning signs parents should look for are:

•Do the bottom of the child’s shoes show uneven wear patterns?
If your child's shoe is worn on the big toe side of their foot, it could be a sign of poor arch support or flat feet.

•Does the child walk irregularly? Is one leg longer than the other or do feet turn in or out excessively?
If you find out one of your child's legs is longer than the other, heel lifts may be required to restore proper balance. Early intervention may prevent things such as scoliosis, a curvature of spine, later in life.

•Does your child often trip or stumble?
I see young adults every autumn complaining about pain from walking and/or frequency of stumbling while walking. For most students, daily stretching and proper walking shoes can solve the problem. If there are foot deformities like hammertoes and/or bunions, surgery may be advised to make walking more comfortable, if proper shoes do not relieve the symptoms.

•Does your child complain of tired legs, night pains and/or cramping?
Complaints about tired legs, heel pain or leg or foot cramps at night, can be a warning sign. Leg and foot pain can indicate flat feet or other disorders that are easier to treat the earlier they're diagnosed. Children with flat feet are at risk for arthritis later in life if the problem is left untreated.

Following the checklist listed above can uncover common problems afflicting your child, like ingrown toenails to more serious problems like flat feet, that should be addressed early in life to allow pain-free ambulation and prevent further problems later in life.

If your son or daughter are suffering from any of the conditions listed above please contact our office to set-up a consultation, 440-946-5858.