"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.

 

 

Help for chronic pain, neuropathy and diabetic neuropathy!

We want to thank Dr. Brooke Austin for bringing us information on the Micro Z Silver Thera Stockings that will help so many of our patients who suffer from chronic pain, neuropathy and diabetic neuropathy. This is going to make so many of our patients so much more comfortable and improve the quality of their day to day life.
Great Job! Dr. Austin

Prevent Amputations

Amputations among People with
Diabetes Can Be Reduced by 50%

Every 30 seconds somebody in the world is amputated as a consequence of foot complication due to diabetes. A new study at Sahlgrenska Academy confirmes that shoe inserts, podiatry, regular checkups and other simple interventions can reduce the number of amputations by more than 50%.
Orthotic researchers at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, have studied diabetic foot complications ever since 2008. They have focused on protecting the foot from overloading the foot sole in order to minimize the risk of ulcers , which may eventually lead to amputation.

Derek Jeter Taken out of Game 3. Will Jeter play game 4?

New York Yankees Derek Jeter had to leave game 3 due to a bone bruise in his foot.  He acquired the injury after fouling a pitch off of his foot in the 3rd inning.  He ended up hitting a triple that at bat but in the 8th inning he struck out and was taken out of the game.

It is unlikely that you will be bruising your foot taking an at bat in the American League Division Series but this type of injury can easily happen in our day to day life!  If you suspect that you may have a bone bruise in your foot or any other foot or ankle injury please come see us at Gulfcoast Foot and Ankle.  We have 3 locations and 4 doctors to better serve you. 

Visit us at www.gulfcoastfootcare.com or call us at 239-566-8800 to schedule your appointment.