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

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!

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.

Shoe Shopping

Dr. Brooke Austin, from Gulfcoast Foot and Ankle, and I went shoe shopping at The Walking Company.  Here is a video of what we found.  If you would like to read her blog and view the photos of the shoes we picked out please visit Dr. Austins blog

Tallest Man in US Seeking Shoes, Normalcy

The tallest man in the United States traveled from Minneapolis to Massachusetts on Thursday for a custom shoe-fitting with Reebok that he hopes will help him live a normal life.  To read the whole story click Tallest Man.

Dr. Gordon of Gulfcoast Foot and Ankle Center would like to team up with other Podiatrists to start a custom shoe company.

Rob Gronkowski may don a special cleat for the Superbowl on Sunday

Ah Superbowl....you can tell when Superbowl is right around the corner.  All the talk about which dips and fattening appetizers are going to be passed, who is performing the halftime show, how much beer should be bought and this year probably one of the most talked about things.....are those Patriot fans going to be getting Gronked????  This is the year of the high ankle sprain!  Ben Roethlisberger, Sam Bradford and Adrien Peterson are 3 of the 8 NFL players that have suffered this injury in 2011.  Rob Gronkowski makes it 9 for the season.  Click Superbowl to get the article so that you can make your guess on if Gronkowski will be playing or not!!

Roethlisberger Suffers High Ankle Sprain

Ben Roethlisberger and the high ankle sprain




Last week in the football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Ben Roethlisberger the quarterback for the Steelers was tackled in such a way that he suffered an injury to his ankle. Using slow motion analysis of video online, it can be seen that “Big Ben” was planting his left foot trying to escape tacklers when he was hit from behind and from the left essentially trapping his left foot on the ground with the inside of the foot against the ground. His left knee then hits the ground and creates a rotational base as he was hit from the right by another opponent. The top of the left shoe can be seen clearly as he falls on his left side effectively making the lower part of his foot and leg point 180 degrees from normal (or backwards).

Amazingly he walked off the field and returned and completed the game later. Reports of his injury over the past week include that he has a grade 1 high ankle sprain. He is in a walking cast boot and may compete against the 49ers on Monday night.

Big Ben’s injury differs from the usual ankle sprain because of the mechanism of injury. Normally ankle sprains are on the outside (lateral aspect) of the ankle and involve tearing of the lower ankle ligaments. Big Ben’s injury involves the ligaments that hold the leg bones together. The term ankle sprain can be used to indicate anything from a minor injury or an actual tearing of the ligaments.

From my analysis of the injury from one perspective of video on the internet it appears to me that it is amazing that the ankle was not dislocated at the time of injury and that it is likely that the ligament was ruptured or torn. In normal adults, ligament healing will usually take about three weeks and will need protection during this time. I would anticipate a significant amount of pain would be present if an individual were to try to weight bearing without significant support of the ankle before it is healed.

Big Ben is getting the best of care by getting an immediate X-ray and then an MRI. Many times normal ankle sprains will require both of these studies as well. Support and protection are requirement for normal healing of ankle sprains as well.

So, the take home point is:

1. Don’t attempt to walk off ankle sprains

2. Start Rest Ice Compression and Elevation

3. Get professional help and imaging



For more information see Gulfcoastfootcare.com