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Do you suffer from unexplained pain in your heels? Does this pain seem to be markedly worse when you get out of bed in the morning? If you answered yes to these questions, it is possible that you are suffering from plantar fasciitis.

What exactly is plantar fasciitis? This term refers to a condition that results when the plantar fascia (a thick band of tissue on the bottom of your heel) becomes inflamed.

Risk Factors

There are a number of factors that can contribute to plantar fasciitis. Runners frequently report suffering from this condition. But you don’t have to be an endurance athlete to experience plantar fasciitis. People that spend a lot of time on their feet are also at risk to experience this painful issue. People who are overweight and people that wear shoes without the proper type of support, have a higher likelihood of developing plantar fasciitis as well. Foot mechanics can also play a role in developing this type of foot pain. Having a high arch or inversely, having flat feet, can lead to developing plantar fasciitis.

Treatment Options 

• The first step to getting proper treatment is getting an accurate diagnosis from an orthopaedic surgeon. Surgeons with training in the area of foot and ankle orthopaedics have focused training in foot issues.
• Working with a physical therapist can bring some relief. Doing some stretching exercises in addition to massage and contrast baths can result in healing.
• Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) can help reduce some of the inflammation in the heel region.
• Steroid injections can help decrease both the inflammation and pain in your plantar fasciitis. Consult with you orthopaedic surgeon about whether or not this could be a viable option for your specific case.
• Shoe inserts can help change the weight distribution on your feet therefore alleviating the strain on your plantar fascia. Consult with your foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon about getting a custom set of orthotics for your shoes.

Don’t let the chronic pain associated with plantar fasciitis impact your daily life. Make an appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon today to get an accurate diagnosis and to formulate a plan for treating the underlying issues.

With hundreds of specialties and subspecialties in medicine, it can be hard to determine whom to see when you have a medical issue. There are several overlapping specialties, especially when it comes to treating conditions of the bones, joints and muscles. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is one area of medicine that focuses on many parts of the body.

What is Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation?

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) is an area of medicine that focuses on restoring and  improving an individual’s functional ability. With a focus on improving quality of life, PM&R can be used to treat a wide range of physical impairments. These impairments include but are not limited to conditions of the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, brain, spinal cord and nerves.

What is a Physiatrist?

A Physiatrist is a medical doctor that has a trained focus in the speciality area of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. A Physiatrist has completed four years of medical school beyond an undergraduate degree. Further, a physiatrist completes a four-year residency in the area of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Physiatrists offer a variety of procedures to help patients suffering from bone, joint, muscle and nerve issues. These issues could be the result of an injury or medical condition/disease. Some of services offered by a physiatrist include:

• Spinal injections
• Joint injections
• Nerve conduction studies (NCS) and Electromyography (EMG)
• Spasticity management
• Trigger point injections for muscle disorders

In addition to specific medical procedures, physiatrists often work in conjunction with a team of medical professionals to develop a comprehensive treatment plan for each individual. Physical therapists, occupational therapists, orthopaedic surgeons, primary care doctors and neurologists often work closely with physiatrists to ensure optimal care for the patient. In addition, physiatrists often involve non-medical professionals in the development and execution of the treatment plan. These professionals often include: social workers, therapists and vocational counselors.

 

 

Baseball Injuries

Spring training brings feverish excitement as the baseball season begins. But along with the renewed enthusiasm for the sport comes an increase in common baseball injuries. From upper body to lower extremities, no limb is safe when it comes to injury.

If you are a catcher or have a child that plays this position, there are several baseball injuries that can bring an abrupt stop to the season. The range of physical activity during a game or practice varies significantly for a catcher. Both the upper and lower body are put to work, creating strain on legs, knees, back, shoulders and elbows.

Common Injuries for Catchers

Knee Injuries:

The position that a catcher takes during a baseball game puts an enormous amount of stress on the knees. Therefore, it is not surprising that catchers are prone to some common knee injuries. These injuries include but are not limited to: meniscus tears, muscle strains and tendonitis. The severity of these injuries varies greatly but often, catching them early can mean the difference between a short recovery and a season-ending issue.

Shoulder Injuries:

The shoulder is a very complex joint. Therefore, it is no surprise that there are a number of baseball injuries that can occur for a catcher. Some of the most common types of shoulder injuries for a catcher include: superior labrum anterior to posterior (SLAP) tear, bicep tendinitis, rotator cuff tears, shoulder instability and scapular rotation dysfunction.

Elbow Injuries:

With every throw a catcher makes, stress occurs to the shoulder and elbow. Overuse injuries are very common for pitchers and catchers alike due to the repetitive motion of the throwing arm throughout practices and games. Some of the most common baseball injuries resulting from throwing include: ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries, ulnar neuritis and valgus extension overload.

When it comes to baseball injuries, there are several ways to get hurt if you are a catcher. As you can see, most of the injuries listed above result from overuse. But there are a number of ways to prevent many of these baseball injuries.

Preventing Baseball Injuries in Catchers

• Follow guidelines limiting number of innings and number of throws per game for a catcher.
• Work with coaches on proper form and technique.
• Participate in proper conditioning exercises. The stress put on the body of a pitcher can be reduced with proper strengthening techniques. Be sure to work with your coaches and trainers to ensure the correct exercises.
• Overuse injuries can be prevented if you listen to your body and allow for proper recovery time. What might start out as a small injury can easily develop into something more serious if you do not allow time to heal.

Don’t let a baseball season slow you down this year. Take the proper steps to prevent an injury so you can get the most out of your year.

 

If you have a bunion, you know how painful and uncomfortable it can be to get through your daily routine. Bunions form at the base of the big toe creating a deformity in the joint. As the big toe pushes against the next toe, it causes the joint to protrude, often appearing red and swollen.

Bunions can be painful and can create limitations in your daily life. In addition to limited movement in the big toe joint, the pain can worsen depending on the type of footwear you choose.

How can you find relief if you suffer from bunions? There are a number of options, both surgical and non-surgical. Making an appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon that specializes in foot and ankle is a great way to determine the best treatment options for you. After a physical examination and possibly an x-ray, the orthopaedic surgeon can help you develop a treatment plan.

Here are some of the common ways to treat bunions:

• Use ice to hep reduce swelling and inflammation.
• Find and wear shoes that are comfortable, supportive and allow plenty of room for your toes. Wearing shoes with a wider toe box will alleviate cramping.
• Arch supports or orthotics that insert into your existing shoes can also help by distributing weight evenly on your feet.
• Cortisone injections along with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications can provide temporary relief by reducing swelling.
• Surgical treatment options include straightening the toe out by removing some of the bone and/or removing inflamed tissue surrounding the joint.
• A surgeon might elect to realign the bone or in some cases even fuse the bones in the joint together permanently.

Suffering from bunions does not have to be an accepted part of your life. If you have bunions that cause pain and limit your daily activity, make an appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon to get a clear diagnosis and a treatment plan.

 

Back to school is an exciting time for kids and parents alike. Children look forward to reuniting with their friends and getting back into their favorite fall sports. But back to school also signifies a spike in some common orthopaedic injuries for many kids.

As a parent, it can be difficult to determine how serious an injury is. If your child is hurt at school, you likely did not observe the incident and therefore may not have an accurate picture of the severity of the injury. So how do you know if your child’s injury is more than just a playground oops? Consider the following questions?

1. Is your child able to move all of his or her body parts? This is especially important when it comes to a potential head/neck injury. If your child is not able to move all body parts, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.
2. Is your child experiencing numbness or tingling? Again, in cases or head or neck injury, this is a red flag and must be assessed immediately.
3. Can your child bear weight on the injured body part? Inability to stand or walk can signify a sprain or broken bone in the lower extremity. If this is the case, an orthopaedic surgeon can easily evaluate the injury and determine the best treatment.
4. Is the body party swollen or disfigured? Many orthopaedic injuries mirror one another with symptoms. As a parent, it is tough to distinguish the difference between a sprain, broken bone or torn ligaments. For this reason, it is important to have an orthopaedic surgeon examine your child to diagnose and treat an injury that includes swelling or a body part that looks disfigured after an injury.
5. Can your child put pressure on the injured body part? This questions is similar to asking if they can bear weight on the injured body part. With the upper body, it is important to see if your child will let you put moderate pressure on the injury and if they can move it without pain.

If a back to school injury has gotten your child down and out, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention. It can be difficult to know whether or not the injury warrants a trip to the emergency room, urgent care or a visit to an orthopaedic surgeon. If you have any doubt at all, it is better to be safe than sorry.