Monday, August 20, 2012

49ers LaMichael James Goes Down With Ankle Injury

The San Francisco 49ers second round pick LaMichael James twisted his ankle late in the fourth quarter of the second preseason game.  He had to be helped off of the field.  It was a tough night for the 49ers running backs.  In the first quarter Brandon Jacobs had to leave the game with a knee injury. 

To some a twisted ankle may not seem serious but there are many things that can go wrong.  If you experience a twisted or sprained ankle please get it looked at to rule out something very serious.

When assessing an ankle sprain, the doctors at Gulfcoast Foot and Ankle will want to know the mechanism of injury and history of previous ankle sprains. Where the foot was located at the time of injury, "popping" sensations, whether the runner can put weight on the ankle are all important questions needing an answer. If past ankle sprains are part of the history, for example, a new acute ankle sprain can have a significant impact.


The physical examination should confirm the suspected diagnosis, based on the history of the injury. One looks for any obvious deformities of the ankle or foot, black and blue discoloration, swelling, or disruption of the skin. When crackling, extreme swelling and tenderness are present, together with a limited range of motion, one may suspect a fracture of the ankle. A feeling of disruption on either the inside or the outside of the ankle may indicate a rupture of one of the ankle ligaments.

To check for ankle instability, you should be evaluated while weight bearing. Manual muscle testing is also valuable when checking for ankle instability. One of the more critical tests that you should be able to perform before allowing resumption of activity is a "single toe raise" test. If you are unable to do this, one might suspect ligamentous injury or ankle instability.

X-rays help rule out fractures, "fleck fractures" inside the ankle joint, loose bodies, and/or degenerative joint disease (arthritis). Stress X-rays are taken when ligamentous rupture or ankle instability is suspected. When a stress test is taken of your ankle, don't be surprised if the same test is performed on the other ankle. This is done to compare the two ankles, particularly in cases of ligamentous laxity (loose ligaments).

In the past, more commonly, ankle arthrography has been used. This involves injecting a dye into the ankle joint as it is X-rayed. This helps determine if a rupture of a ligament or tear of the ankle capsule has occurred. However, this procedure does involve some discomfort during the injection process, and, on rare occasions, an allergy to the dye occurs.

Other diagnostic tests include computerized tomography (CT Scan) to discover injuries of the bone, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to isolate and diagnose specific soft tissue injuries (ligaments, tendons, and capsule). The MRI is very specific, and gives a clear-cut view of these important structures

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Cowboys Rookie LB Tears Achilles on Wednesday

Caleb McSurdy, of the Dallas Cowboys, tore his Achilles Wednesday at practice during a defensive drill.  This could definitely end his season and make it tough for the Cowboys since Orie Lemon and Isaiah Greenhouse are also both out with injuries.

The Achilles tendon is the large cord like structure on the back of the leg just above the heel. It is the largest tendon in the body and has a tremendous amount of force transmitted through it during walking, running and jumping activities. The Achilles tendon is prone to injury, including rupture during periods of increased stress and activity.Surgical repair is the most common treatment producing the greatest return to function and activity level.  Recovery from this injury is usually very successful with return to full function in approximately 6 months.

If you or someone you know feels like they got hit with a baseball bat in the back of the leg or heel during athletic activity please do not hesitate to call the Doctors at Gulfcoast Foot and Ankle Center at 239-566-8800.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

The Senior Bunion by Dr. John Crist

One very common refrain heard at Gulfcoast Foot and Ankle is “I am too old to have my bunions fixed” or “my doctor up north told me to wait until I can’t stand the pain and then have my bunions fixed. Well I waited and they hurt now and I am too old to have them fixed.”

These two beliefs have led to the disintegration of the lives of many elderly people. Many seniors will stop walking or begin to cut large holes in their shoes and their quality of life is diminished.

The uncomfortable bunion is one of the most common complaints from patients for Dr. Crist at Gulfcoast Foot and Ankle. The typical patient states that his or her bunions have been there a long time and they ar egiving him or her problems in shoes but that they have been told there is nothing that can be done for them.

This is very frustrating. Throughout my career, the active 85 year old has been a regular in my office and I have found that people are able to heal from bunion surgery well into their 70s and 80s. It is very rewarding to enable patients to wear regular shoes and to start or continue activities. They may take longer than somebody that's 15 years old to heal from their surgery but they are able to heal well into their nineties. Although the type of procedure may have to be adjusted, seniors can heal and be weightbearing during the healing period.

The Doctors at Gulfcoast Foot and Ankle would appreciate the opportunity to help you remain active and to explain in more detail how correcting foot deformities can lead to a healthier life.

For even more information on bunions please visit Bunion Center of Naples

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Plantar Fasciitis Strips Medal from Wheating

Andrew Wheating dreamed of being on the Olympic stage.  He trained day and night, nothing could stop him, until Plantar Fasciitis plagued him.  A condition that if treated properly could have helped him win  a Gold Medal.  Wheating, 24, did not have his full confidence Friday after advancing during the semifinals. Trying to take advantage of his long stride and escape the typical jostling in the event, the 6-foot-5-inch Wheating took to the lead early. But it wasn’t long before the rest of the field started to move and get away from him. At that point, Wheating decided not to press because he hadn’t raced in more than a month due to his foot injury. Wheating has been dealing with what he called a “nasty plantar problem” since the Olympic trials.
The pain he was in forced him to swim to condition instead of run like all of his competitors“I’ve been swimming more miles than I’ve been running,” said Wheating.. The Doctors at Gulfcoast Foot and Ankle can handle problems like Plantar Fasciitis.  Our Doctors will address and help you to cure all of your injuries so that you are in Olympic quality shape as soon as possible!

Friday, August 3, 2012

Pro Football Hall of Fame Game is Right Around the Corner

On Sunday, August 5, 2012 the Arizona Cardinals and the New Orleans Saints will kick off the preseason.  The game will be played at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio.  With the NFL Football season comes injuries.  Last year its seemed everyone was getting high ankle injuries.  What will this year bring?  Foot, ankle, toe or knee injuries or maybe all of the above!  Here at Gulfcoast Foot and Ankle we will keep you in the know of your favorite players foot and ankle injuries.  If you have some issues of your own please do not hesitate to visit our website to learn more or contact us at Gulfcoast Foot and Ankle Center.