fracture

Marc Gasol Suffers Broken Foot Injury - Long Island Foot and Ankle Group

Who would have thought that the ever reliable center of Memphis Grizzlies Marc Gasol might suffer from a broken foot injury? The center suffered a broken foot injury while playing against the Portland Trail Blazers? He immediately underwent successful surgery to repair the broken bone in his right foot.

Broken Foot injury

A crack or fracture in the foot can be serious. This injury needs attention and proper medication to avoid complications. The human foot is composed of 26 bones and is prone to injuries like fractures or breaks. It is important that you consult with a podiatrist for the first signs of a foot injury. The doctors of Long Island Foot and Ankle Group are podiatrists who specialize in helping people with foot pain and other types of foot conditions.

What are the causes of a broken foot injury?

Accidents is one of the leading reasons why bones break. When bones are suddenly bent, stretched, twisted, or crushed it can lead to a breaks. Athletes, soldiers, gymnasts, runners, and dancers are prone to this type of injury.

What are the symptoms of a broken foot injury?

  • Tenderness
  • Bruising
  • Swelling
  • Pain during an activity and is gone when resting
  • Deformity of the foot
  • Immobility
  • Pain

If someone has a broken foot injury, walking may become painful. It is also impossible to diagnose a broken foot by just looking at it. The best thing to do is to seek medical attention. The podiatrist will order an x-ray to determine what kind of treatment is needed. Sprain and broken bone injury are almost similar when it comes to symptoms. The only difference is the intensity of the pain, bruising, and swelling.

Treatment for broken foot injury

The type of treatment for a broken foot injury is determined by the location and its severity. It is necessary to stabilize the injured foot whether it is mild or severe. You also have to avoid putting weight on your injured foot. Crutches, casting, walking boot, or wheelchair are few options to help treat the broken foot.

Splinting is also a way to treat the broken foot injury. See to it not to tape the broken foot tightly. Let your doctor show you the proper way of splinting your broken foot.

Wear a shoe with a solid sole that will provide an additional support. The recovery period of broken foot injury is between six to eight weeks depending on the degree of injury. 

At Long Island Foot and Ankle Group with offices located in Valley Stream and Lake Success,we specialize in helping people suffering from foot problems. To schedule an appointment phone Valley Stream (516) 825-4070 or Lake Success (516) 327-0074.

Dez Bryant Falls to a Jones fracture - Long Island Foot and Ankle Group

Previously there was a lot of talk about Dez Bryant’s injury in a game against the New York Giants. Dez Bryant is a star wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys who suffered a Jones fracture during a game.

Keeping the foot healthy and in tip top shape is essential for any athlete. After all, it is responsible for supporting most of the movements performed by athletes. An injury however small, can spell the end of an athlete’s career. Consult a podiatrist for any signs of chronic foot pain. The doctors of Long Island Foot and Ankle Group are podiatrists who specialize in helping in helping people with chronic foot pain and other types of foot conditions.


What is a Jones fracture?

A Jones fracture is an injury to the base of the fifth metatarsal. Jones fracture is caused by a twisting injury to the foot. Other causes also include trauma, overuse, and repetitive stress. It is also mistaken as a sprain.

What are the symptoms of Jones fracture?
Many times patients describe having symptoms that include:

  • Sharp stabbing pain on the outside of the foot
  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Pain while walking
  • Immobility
  • Tenderness to the touch
  • Discoloration

Visible signs will appear after an injury has been sustained. If you experience any of the above symptoms, seek medical treatment immediately. You need to stop whatever you are doing and talk to your doctor. Your doctor will do a physical exam and will ask you questions regarding the activities that you are doing when you hurt your foot. He will then perform an x-ray to diagnose the fracture and to see the extent of your injury.

What are the treatments for Jones fracture?

  • The first step is to rest and to prevent movement in the foot. Apply ice to the injured part as well.
  • Immobilization in a cast. Patients are not allowed to put weight on the injured foot until it heals.
  • You may be given anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the pain and the swelling during the healing period.

Jones fracture will take 6 to 8 weeks to heal in a splint, cast, or walking boot. After this period of time, rehab will begin that will last from 2 to 3 weeks. Surgery is usually performed when the injury is severe. Implementations of screws, wires, bone plates, and pins are included in the surgery. Use crutches, walking boot, or splint at all times unless you are resting. Increase your intake of vitamin C and calcium.

To help prevent a Jones fracture

  • Wear appropriate shoes for the activity.
  • Using proper training techniques.
  • Avoid running on uneven surfaces.

At Long Island Foot and Ankle Group with offices located in Valley Stream and Lake Success, we specialize in helping people with foot fractures.   To schedule an appointment phone Valley Stream (516) 825-4070 or Lake Success (516) 327-0074.

Chicago Bears Receiver Marquess Wilson Gets Foot Injury - Long Island Foot and Ankle Group

Chicago Bears’ receiver Marquess Wilson previously missed practice after suffering from a foot injury. Marquess Wilson landed on injured reserve after he suffered a broken foot while practicing for a game. After an MRI, it was confirmed that Chicago Bear receiver suffered from a Lisfranc injury.

Injuries to athletes are not uncommon. But a large number these injuries are those affecting the foot. After all the foot is one of the most abused structures in the body. Consult a podiatrist for any signs of chronic foot pain. The doctors of Long Island Foot and Ankle Group are podiatrists who specialize in helping people with chronic foot pain and other types of foot conditions. 

A Lisfranc injury is a kind of foot injury that can be very serious and requires surgery. This type of foot injury usually requires a year to recover. Lisfranc injuries are common in athletes and in persons involved in a violent accident. Lisfranc injury is a foot pain that is difficult to diagnose.

What are the signs and symptoms of a Lisfranc injury?

  •  Swelling and pain over the mid-foot
  • Bruising on the bottom of the mid-foot
  • Inability to bear weight
  • Tenderness to touch
  • Displacement between the metatarsal and tarsal bones
  • Foot pain when turning, walking or running
  • Abnormal widening of the foot

 Lisfranc injury treatment

When there is a sprain, the patient is placed in a removable plastic cast to immobilize the foot for approximately eight weeks. Crutches are used to avoid putting weight on an injured foot. Ice therapy is very effective to relieve the pain. Apply ice packs for twenty minutes every two hours. Elevate the foot to reduce the pain and swelling. The use of anti-inflammatory medications is also necessary to reduce the pain and the swelling. 

Secure the fractured and dislocated bones with screws and pins fixation. The surgeon will determine the best procedure that is suited for every patient. Some injuries require emergency surgery. Physical therapy may be prescribed for the pain and the swelling subsided. 

How to prevent Lisfranc injury? 

Since Lisfranc injury is prevalent in football, the NFL has been prompted to look more into the ins and outs of this specific injury. The National Football League checked on how the injury occurs and how to best prevent it. They tried to see whether the shoes of the players are too lightweight or the cleats has a tight grip on the turf which can be dangerous to their players. 

Wearing a comfortable and suitable footwear will help prevent an athlete from Lisfranc injury especially in a game or in a training session. Proper exercises and training are also needed to lessen the possibility to have a Lisfranc injury.

 At Long Island Foot and Ankle Group with offices located in Valley Stream and Lake Success, we specialize in helping people suffering from chronic foot problems.  To schedule an appointment phone Valley Stream (516) 825-4070 or Lake Success (516) 327-0074.

 

Diagnosis and Management of Foot Stress Fractures

Stress fractures commonly develop in the weight-bearing bones especially those located in the lower foot. This type of injury can be seen in track and field athletes or just about anyone who participates in activities that place too much stress on the foot. 

What causes foot stress fractures? 

Stress fractures can be the result of repetitive abuse of the foot during jumps or long distance running. It can also be the result of weakened bones due to an underlying disease. 

Types of foot stress fractures

There are two types of stress fractures, fatigue and insufficiency fractures. Fatigue fractures are the result of repeated stress on the foot that results to an injury beyond the bone’s natural healing ability. An insufficiency fracture on the other hand is caused by a weakened bone structure like those seen in people suffering from osteoporosis. 

Stress fractures remain unnoticed until pain becomes unbearable. This is why early diagnosis is essential to prevent the condition from progressing. A podiatrist is a foot specialist that is highly qualified to identify and treat foot stress fractures.The doctors at Long Island Foot and Ankle Group are podiatrists who specialize in helping people suffering from foot stress fractures.

Symptoms of a foot stress fracture

  1. Foot pain that often manifests itself during physical activities and decrease with rest
  2. Pain that intensifies over time
  3. Swelling and tenderness

 Diagnosis of foot stress fractures

Pain is a signal that indicates injury or something abnormal. Foot pain during physical activities can be an indication of foot stress fractures. Consulting with a podiatrist gives you the best chance for early diagnosis and drastically improves prognosis. 

Diagnosis starts with a thorough check of your medical history and previous activities. The podiatrist inspects your foot for swelling and tenderness.

A thorough diagnosis involves obtaining a detailed history of your condition and performing an examination of the injury and surrounding area. Stress fractures are not easily identified on X-ray until about 3 weeks after the onset of symptoms. More detailed tests such as MRIs, CT scan or bone scans are performed if a podiatrist suspect a stress fracture even after testing negative on X-ray. 

Treatment for foot stress fractures

  • Rest – reducing pressure on the feet prevents further injury and buys time for it to heal properly
  • Ice – this reduces swelling and helps relieve pain
  • Pain medications – stick to acetaminophen based pain relievers. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers may interfere with proper bone healing. 

At Long Island Foot and Ankle Group with offices located in Valley Stream and Lake Success, we specialize in helping people find relief from Foot Stress Fractures.  To schedule an appointment phone Valley Stream (516) 825-4070 or Lake Success (516) 327-0074.