Alan Knott of South Carolina will be out for several weeks due to a high ankle sprain. The starting center, who has started 11 games in the middle of the offensive line, suffered the injury during the first half of September 19th’s loss against Georgia. Freshman Zack Bailey will replace Knott’s place in the starting lineup. Coach Steve Spurrier shared, “We’ve had a few injuries. I don’t know if we’ve had a whole bunch. We just haven’t ever played extremely well, and we have to try to play better.”

A sports related foot or ankle injury can become troublesome if left untreated, especially for athletes. If you have sustained an injured foot or ankle, consult with Dr. Alan Discont, D.P.M. of Family Foot and Ankle Care. Dr. Discont can properly provide you with the foot and ankle treatment you need. 

Sport Related Foot and Ankle Injuries 

Foot and ankle injuries are a common occurrence when it comes to athletes of any sport. While many athletes dismiss the initial aches and pains, the truth is that ignoring potential foot and ankle injuries can lead to serious problems. As athletes continue to place pressure and strain the area further, a mild injury can turn into something as serious as a rupture and may lead to a permanent disability. There are many factors that contribute to sports related foot and ankle injuries, which include failure to warm up properly, not providing support or wearing bad footwear. Common injuries and conditions athletes face, including:

•           Plantar Fasciitis

•           Plantar Fasciosis

•           Achilles Tendinitis

•           Achilles Tendon Rupture

•           Ankle Sprains

Sports-related injuries are commonly treated using the RICE method. This includes rest, applying ice to the injured area, compression and elevating the ankle. More serious sprains and injuries may require surgery, which could include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery. Rehabilitation and therapy may also be required in order to get any recovering athlete to become fully functional again. Any unusual aches and pains an athlete sustains must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.

If you have any questions, please contact our office in Chandler, AZ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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The San Francisco 49ers new starting cornerback, Kenneth Acker, received his opportunity to step up last summer when he had a strong training camp as a rookie. He was unfortunately placed on the season-ending injured reserve before the beginning of the regular season, however, when he suffered a stress fracture in his foot. “I think that year off, knowing that I wanted to be on the field of course, it helped me a lot,” said Acker. "It just put me in a position where I was comfortable with coming into the position. It wasn’t like it was my first time out there."  

Stress fractures can become painful if left untreated for an extended period of time. If you would like assistance in treating a stress fracture, consult with Dr. Alan Discont, D.P.M. of Family Foot and Ankle Care. Dr. Discont can determine the severity of your condition and provide you with quality care.

Coping with Podiatric Stress Fractures

Stress Fractures occur on the foot and ankle when muscles in these areas weaken as a result of overexertion or underuse.  As a result, the ankles and feet lose support when walking or running from the ground. Since these bones are not protected, they receive the full impact of each step. The stress on the feet causes the bones to form cracks.

What are Stress Fractures?

Stress Fractures are very common among those who are highly active and involved in sports or activities that make excessive use of their legs and feet. Stress fractures are especially common among:

-athletes (gymnasts, tennis players, basketball players)
-runners/joggers
-osteoporosis patients
-those who engage in high-intensity workouts

Stress Fracture Symptoms

Pain from the fractures occur in the area of the fractures, and can be either constant or periodic. The pain is usually sharp or dull, accompanied by swelling and tenderness. Engagement in any kind of high impact activity will exacerbate the pain.

If you have any questions, please contact our office in Chandler, AZ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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Is heel pain keeping you down? Pain that occurs following an injury or early in an illness may play a protective role, warning us about the damage we have suffered. So what causes heel pain?

Understanding Heel Pain with Help from Your Podiatrist

• Wear shoes that fit well
• Wear proper shoes for each activity
• Do not wear shoes with excessive wear on heels or soles
• Prepare properly before exercising by stretching and warming up
• Pace yourself when you participate in athletic activities
• Don’t underestimate your body’s need for rest and good nutrition
• Lose excess weight

Are bunions affecting your day-to-day activities? Here are some tips on how to handle your feet.

Even though bunions are a pretty common condition they don’t always have to cause pain. Unfortunately, those with more severe cases often deal with some serious discomfort. If putting on shoes or even walking normally is uncomfortable due then it’s time you sought relief from Dr. Alan Discont, your Chandler podiatrist. Here are some other ways to alleviate your daily symptoms:

• If you are overweight then it’s time to change your diet and lifestyle to drop those extra pounds. When there is less pressure placed on your feet you’re less likely to suffer from bunion pain.
• One way to keep your bunion from rubbing against your shoes and causing pain is to apply moleskin or a pad to the bunion. These can easily be found at your local drugstore.
• Consider wearing prescription orthotics during the day and a night splint while you sleep to help ease bunion symptoms.
• Use over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) medication like ibuprofen to help with both swelling and discomfort. Your Chandler podiatrist may also recommend prescription medications for those with more severe pain.
• Only wear shoes that offer a spacious toe bed and allow you to wiggle your toes.
• Switch between warm foot soaks and icing your bunion to help ease symptoms.

When it’s Time to Consider Surgery

No one wants to think about it but if you aren’t finding relief from your symptoms after exhausting all of your other treatment options, then it’s time to talk to your Chandler podiatrist about whether surgery is the best alternative. If you’ve been experiencing pain for at least a year then it’s time to strongly consider surgical treatment options. Furthermore, if your bunion is causing other painful problems like bursitis or hammertoes then it may also be time to agree to surgery.

There are more than 150 different kinds of bunion surgeries depending on the severity of your condition. We will discuss your treatment options and help you determine which one is right for you.

Don’t let bunions affect your quality of life. Turn to your Chandler podiatrist to give you the foot care you require to lead a healthy, pain-free life. Call Family Foot & Ankle Care today!

The feet are some of the most used and dynamic parts of the body, and due to this title they must be simultaneously strong and stable while also being flexible and malleable. To increase foot strength, short foot exercises such as arch strengthening can help contract the muscles in the feet. Various short foot exercises include toe splaying or moving the toes away from each other, big toe presses or pressing the big toe into the floor while extending the other four toes, leg swings, and calf raises to big toe presses.

Exercising the feet and ankles regularly is a great way to prevent injuries. If you have any foot or ankle concerns, contact Dr. Alan Discont, D.P.M. of Family Foot and Ankle Care. Dr. Discont will treat your foot and ankle needs.

Exercise for Your Feet

Exercise for your feet can help you to gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important and often we forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate not to have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure its good health in the long run.

Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rise, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, also flexing the toes and involving the shins may help too. It is best to speak with your doctor regarding how to do these fitness steps and how often is right for you. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different and it varies from individual to individual to determine what should be done for you to maintain strength in your feet.

Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.

If you have any questions, please contact our office in Chandler, AZ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

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