James van Riemsdyk Goes Down with Metatarsal Injury - Long Island Foot and Ankle Group

Toronto Maple Leafs winger James van Riemsdyk will be out for six to eight weeks because of a non-displaced fracture in his left foot. The Maple Leafs team announced that Riemsdyk has a metatarsal fracture and will undergo treatment and rehab.

Metatarsal bones are long bones found between the tarsal and phalanges of the toes. A metatarsal fracture happens when one of these long bones is broken or is weakened due to thinning of the bones. Consult a podiatrist for any signs of a metatarsal bone 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 causes a metatarsal fracture?

Metatarsal fracture is caused by direct injury to the foot such as:

• Twisting of the foot
• Overuse
• Over supination
• Repetitive activities such as running, swimming, or jumping
• Overpronation
• Not enough rest
• Abnormal weight transfer

What are the symptoms of a metatarsal fracture?

During its early stages, pain may be relieved by rest. As the injury becomes severe, rest may not be enough to relieve the pain and can become chronic. Swelling can be noticed without bruising. The following are the most common symptoms of metatarsal fractures:

• A cracking sound at the time of the injury
• Immediate pain and tenderness
• Bruising and swelling
• Difficulty putting weight on the affected foot
• Limited movement of your foot
• Pain that progresses gradually
• Pain worsens when walking or standing
• Pain in the mid or front of the foot

How metatarsal fractures treated?

Treatments may differ and recovery periods range from 4 to 8 weeks depending on the severity of the fracture. Always check with your podiatrist before any treatment.

• Simple painkillers may help to relieve the pain
• Remove all stress from the foot to allow it to heal
• Immobilization
• Rest is needed in metatarsal fractures
• Apply ice as soon as possible after the injury
• Elevation will limit and reduce any swelling
• Surgery to re-align any part of the fractured bone
• Physical therapy to exercise the fractured metatarsal

How to prevent metatarsal fractures?

The risk of foot injuries is high especially in high-impact activities like sports. Preventing metatarsal fractures is tricky but there are a number of things that you can do:

• Gradually intensify the duration of the exercise
• Rest and allow yourself enough time to recover
• Wear appropriate footwear that should protect and support your feet
• Limit activities to prevent further problems
• Visit a medical professional to check your 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.

Achilles Tendonitis Hits Memphis Grizzlies Mike Conley - Long Island Foot and Ankle Group

One of the most promising players of the Memphis Grizzlies has been battling the pain in his left foot. Mike Conley, a point guard of the Memphis Grizzlies missed a couple of games due to an Achilles Tendonitis. After evaluating his injury, the team doctors made a decision not to allow Conley to return to the game and just wait for him to recover.

The inflammation of Achilles’ tendon is referred to Achilles Tendonitis. It causes pain at the back of your leg near the area of the heel. Once the tendon of your heel become swollen and painful, there is a big risk that you have Achilles Tendonitis. Consult a podiatrist for any type of foot injury. 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.

The following are the signs and symptoms of Achilles Tendonitis

• Difficulty of flexing your foot or pointing your toes
• There is pain above your heel and the back of your foot while stretching
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• A snapping or popping noise during the injury and
• Tenderness

Here are the possible treatments for Achilles Tendonitis

• The use of anti-inflammatory drugs for a limited period of time
• Reducing the physical activity
• Visiting a physical therapist
• Switching to a less strenuous sport
• Applying ice in the area where there is pain
• Elevate the injured foot to reduce the swelling
• The calf muscles should be stretched and strengthen
• Wear a brace or elastic bandage to prevent the movement of your injured foot
• Getting a steroid injection

If ever the conservative treatments are not effective, surgery or an operation is needed to repair the Achilles' tendon.

These activities will strain the Achilles tendon that will result to Achilles Tendonitis

• Wearing high heels shoes daily
• Exercising without having a warm up
• Your foot suddenly turns in or out
• You have a very tight calf muscles
• Wearing shoes that do not have proper support
• Running on concrete or hard surfaces
• Jumping
• Running too often

You can lower the risk of Achilles Tendonitis with the help of these strategies

• Reduce the heel size of your shoes to let your tendons stretch slowly and to increase
• the range of its motion
• Stretching your calf muscles every morning will help to improve your agility
• Choose and wear a shoe that provides arch support and proper cushioning
• Performing a new exercise routine will help intensify your physical activity
• Combining a low and high impact exercises will reduce stress on your tendons

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

Sports Foot Injuries

One of the major responsibilities of the feet is supporting our body weight. The feet are composed of load-bearing structures that are capable of withstanding the stress of running, jumping or most sports activities. But, it too has its limits and when we go beyond what is was designed for, foot injuries happen.

Sever’s Disease

This is a painful heel condition found in child athletes. Feet development occurs during our childhood years. And an injury may occur when these are subjected to repeated abuse from sports activities before it is fully developed. The heel growth plate is one of the last structures in the feet to mature. And child athletes are at high risk for developing heel injuries because of this.  

Athletes Foot

Anybody can have athlete’s foot but this is more common among athletes because of certain practices. Athletes often have to take showers in training rooms or public showers. An infection can occur when bare feet is exposed to wet surfaces. 

Sore Feet

A hard day of training often results to sore feet. While most athletes dismiss this as part of their profession, pain and soreness that don’t go away with medication and rest should be consulted with a podiatrist. The podiatrists at Long Island Foot and Ankle Group are doctors who specializes in helping people suffering from sports related foot injuries.

Fractures

Fractures are commonly caused by breaks in load bearing bones in the feet. High risk areas include the heel, ankle, navicula and metatarsal bones. Stress on these foot structures are multiplied often to its breaking point through repeated high impact activities. This is why warm-ups and foot strengthening exercises should be done before an athlete progresses into more difficult activities. 

Ankle Sprains

Sports require explosive movements that demand strength and flexibility. A quick change in direction places huge stress on the ankles causing sprain. When it is overstretched beyond its limit, this is injured causing pain and inflammation.

Tingling Feet

That tingling sensation in your feet can be caused by poor circulation or nerve damage. While it might only be a cause of inconvenience it can already be a symptom of an underlying disease. This includes peripheral neuropathy or Raynaud’s disease.

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