Jerry Seinfeld Shares Struggle with Heel Pain at NYCPM This is not his first time with foot problems.

He was seen by a podiatrist in California and referred to the doctor (a Professor Emeritus of Biomechanics) who owns the orthotic lab that we have used for over 30 years. He had so much relief he did a promotion for this lab and was appointed to a post on a foot health board. We still use the lab and still have the advertisement. If you watch his reruns you will rarely see his feet as he perfomed in sneakers or socks! Comedian Jerry Seinfeld visited the New York College of Podiatric Medicine (NYCPM) yesterday to express his gratitude to APMA member Joseph D'Amico, DPM, for ending his 30-year struggle with heel pain. Dr. D'Amico, a former chair of the orthopedics department at the school and a long time instructor, succeeded where numerous other medical professionals failed by identifying the biomechanical basis of Seinfeld's problem. Seinfeld told his story to a small group of NYCPM faculty members. When speaking about his eponymous award-winning sitcom, Seinfeld said, "I have a hard time watching the reruns because I see the shoes on my feet and remember how painful that experience was." To show his appreciation for the outstanding care he received from Dr. D'Amico, Seinfeld made a donation to the Gait Laboratory for Biomechanical Research at the school, as well as an additional donation to fully fund the Richard O. Schuster Memorial biomechanics seminar.

Kobe Bryant Achilles tendon Injury

Posted  by Dr. Brooke Austin

Kobe Bryant's Achilles heel is his actual Achilles heel. Late in the Lakers' game against the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Lakers guard suffered the worst injury of his career, one that could have franchise-changing repercussions. 

 

Friday night at the Staples Center, with just three minutes left in the game's final quarter, Bryant collapsed on the floor after being fouled by the Warriors' Harrison Barnes. After making his two free throws, which ended up accounting for the game's margin of victory in the 118-116 win, Bryant left the game already aware that his season was most likely over.

An MRI on Saturday confirmed what Bryant and the Lakers' trainers already suspected: Bryant tore his Achilles tendon, an injury that required surgery that will sideline Bryant for at least the next 6-9 months. So not only is Bryant out for the season, this could potentially threaten the 34 year old future Hall of Famer's career, or at least his career with the Lakers.

 

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the human body. It is located at the back of the ankle joint and can be felt as a large, cord-like structure attaching to the back of the foot. Since tendons serve to attach muscles to bone, the Achilles tendon also attaches the large calf muscles, the gastrocnemius and soleus, to the back of the heel bone, the calcaneus.

The muscle mass and strength of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles are greater than all of the other muscles of the lower leg combined. Therefore, the pull of these muscles on the Achilles tendon is very large since these muscles help balance the body while standing, push the body forward during walking, spring the body forward during running, and spring the body upward during jumping. Because of the large amount of stress which the Achilles tendon is subjected to during running and jumping activities, the Achilles tendon is prone to injury.

The most common form of injury to the Achilles tendon is called Achilles tendonitis, which is an inflammatory condition causing pain in the Achilles tendon. Achilles tendonitis generally occurs in people who are active in sports activities. Types of sports that commonly are associated with Achilles tendonitis are basketball, tennis, running, football, soccer, volleyball and other running and jumping sports.

Achilles tendonitis tends to occur more frequently in older athletes than in younger athletes. As a person ages into their thirties and especially into their forties and fifties, the ligaments and tendons of the body tend to lose some of their stretchiness and are not as strong as before. This predisposes older individuals who are active in running and jumping activities, to tendon injuries such as Achilles tendinitis. However, Achilles tendonitis can also occur in teenagers who are very active in running and jumping sports.

 

 

If you suspect you may have an Achilles tendon injury please call today for a complete evaluation. We have in-office x-ray and ultrasound for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

 

Call 239-566-8800 for your appointment today.

"Brittle Bones"

Posted by Dr. C. Robert Dushack

To the men and women of southwest Florida...be aware!

     According to the National Osteoporosis foundation, a woman’s risk of breaking a hip due to osteoporosis is equal to her risk of breast, ovarian and uterine cancer combined; a man age 50 or older is more likely to break a bone due to osteoporosis than he is to get prostate cancer.  If this doesn't grab your attention, then nothing will.  Especially considering that the median age in the Naples area is 64.2 years.  Now, imagine what is happening to those two little things (feet) that are supporting your body weight.  Hmmm...just a thought.
    Anyway, we here at Gulf Coast Foot and Ankle Center want the people of Southwest Florida to remain as healthy and active as possible.  Osteoporosis can lead to multiple debilitating conditions, and there are many controllable and non-controllable factors that can lead to this.  "The best form of prevention is an educated patient."  For that reason, here are a few as listed again by the National Osteoporosis Foundation:

Uncontrollable Risk Factors

• Being over age 50. 
• Being Female. 
• Menopause. 
• Family History. 
• Low Body Weight/Being Small and Thin. 
• Broken Bones or Height Loss

Controllable Risk Factors

• Not Getting Enough Calcium and Vitamin D.
• Not Eating Enough Fruits and Vegetables.
• Getting Too Much Protein, Sodium and Caffeine.
• Having an Inactive Lifestyle.
• Smoking. 
• Drinking too much alcohol.
• Losing Weight.

* Your foot and ankle specialist not only can help with the conditions and symptoms associated with the sequelae related to osteoporosis, but often times are instrumental in the discovery and diagnosis of the condition.  Please call us for a complete evaluation at Gulf Coast Foot and Ankle Center Tel# (239)-566-8800

Stress Fractures can lead to gruesome injury like Kevin Ware

Posted  by Dr. C. Robert Dushack

Stress fracture (definition) according to the Mayo Clinic -
    Stress fractures are tiny cracks in a bone. Stress fractures are caused by the repetitive application of force, often by overuse — such as repeatedly jumping up and down or running long distances. Stress fractures can also arise from normal use of a bone that's been weakened by a condition such as osteoporosis. Stress fractures are most common in the weight-bearing bones of the lower leg and foot.  Track and field athletes are particularly susceptible to stress fractures, but anyone can experience a stress fracture. If you're starting a new exercise program, for example, you may be at risk if you do too much too soon.
    I mention this because I am seeing it a lot in our patients down here participating in activities such as golf and tennis for example.  This condition is associated with a multitude of symptoms, some of which I will relay to you.  My biggest concern with this condition is that it will progress into a full blown fracture.  Many of you may have been watching the NCAA basketball tournament, which left spectators stunned as a Louisville players leg fractured on national television in a seemingly normal and harmless situation.  Well, I'm not sure if it was the case in this situation, but many times it is a pre-existing condition or weakness that allows this to occur.  If anyone is interested, here is a link to a video of the actual injury (Warning: Graphic)http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50144023n.
   We here at Gulf Coast Foot and Ankle Center are always cognizant of these potentially underlying conditions, and are diligent in the prevention of more debilitating injuries.  That is why I must stress that pain, especially new pain, no matter how harmless it may seem, is your body's only way of letting you know that something is wrong!  It is imperative that you listen to your body, and take appropriate action.  Sometimes this just means rest.  Other times, it may require professional care.  PLEASE be aware that no situation is to small to seek a professional opinion, and nobody should ever feel embarrassed or weak because of this.  You only get one body and one life, and ultimately you are responsible for both.  We here at Gulf Coast Foot and Ankle Center are vividly aware of this, and can guide you and assist you with this responsibility.
   Now, here are those symptoms that I mentioned (per the Mayo Clinic):

Symptoms of a stress fracture include:

• Swelling
• Pain
• Tenderness in a specific spot
• Increased swelling and pain with activity
• Decreased swelling and pain with rest
• Earlier onset of pain with each successive workout
• Continued pain at rest as the damage progresses

At first, stress fractures may be barely noticeable. But pay attention to the pain. Proper self-care and treatment can keep the stress fracture from worsening.

*Please don't let these symptoms progress!  Call us at Gulf Coast Foot and Ankle Center at 239-566-8800 for a thorough foot and ankle examination.

Balance for stroke patients

Use of an ankle foot orthosis (AFO) within six weeks of stroke results in better balance outcomes and earlier independent ambulation than if AFO use is delayed, according to research from the Netherlands.

Investigators from Roessingh Research & Development in Enschede randomized 18 patients to receive AFOs at either the time of inclusion in the study (within six weeks of stroke) or eight weeks later. Both groups received the same rehabilitation, with a focus on balance and ambulation, the only difference being that the “late” group did the first eight weeks of rehabilitation without an AFO while the “early” group did all rehabilitation while wearing AFOs. Balance measures were assessed every two weeks for 16 weeks.

The doctors at Gulfcoast Foot & Ankle Centers can make a custom made AFO to not only help with your rehabilitation but also prevent falls. Call for an appointment and evaluation today.
Naples 566-8800
Physicians Regional Medical Center Office 304-5161
Bonita Springs 949-3399

Silver-Thera Stocking Electrode & Micro-Z Mini

Posted by  Dr. Brooke Austin

Do you suffer from chronic foot and leg pain? Do your feet burn, tingle, have sensation of pins and needles?  Have you been diagnosed with  painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy?

The doctors at Gulfcoast Foot and Ankle Center  have found a non-invasive way to provide chronic pain relief, rapid wound healing and edema reduction while you sleep!

The innovative Silver-Thera Stocking is a knitted garment made up of highly conductive silver fibers which conduct energy (electrotherapy) to the foot and leg. Energy is delivered to the tissue through the stocking by the Micro-Z mini electrode. The therapy promotes microcirculation by introducing a very small electrical DC charge of energy into the cells, tissue and blood vessels. This can aid in edema reduction and increase microcirculation for pain relief and wound healing.

Finally, we can offer our patients a drug-free pain relief system!!!

The Silver-Thera stockings and Micro-Z Mini work great for painful Diabetic peripheral neuropathy or any other chronic foot and leg pain.

Please call the office today for an evaluation and to see if you are a candidate for this exciting new treatment option. We have 3 office locations in Naples and Bonita Springs!!! 

Please call 239-566-8800 for an appointment, mention this blog and receive $50 off your stockings.