February 2024

Ankle Fractures Can Involve Tendons and Nerves

Ankle fractures are common and often result from twisting or slipping. Understanding ankle anatomy can help diagnose and treat injuries. Ligaments, tendons, nerves, and arteries are involved. Podiatrists assess ankle injuries by checking for swelling, bruising, and weight-bearing ability. Treatment involves stabilizing the ankle with splints, reducing pain and swelling with rest and elevation, and managing discomfort with pain relievers. Severe injuries, such as dislocations or open fractures, require immediate medical attention. Proper care promotes faster healing and reduces long-term complications. If you have injured your ankle, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist to obtain a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Broken ankles need immediate treatment. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our doctors from Advanced Foot & Ankle Medical Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet. 

Broken Ankles
A broken ankle is experienced when a person fractures their tibia or fibula in the lower leg and ankle area. Both of these bones are attached at the bottom of the leg and combine to form what we know to be our ankle.

When a physician is referring to a break of the ankle, he or she is usually referring to a break in the area where the tibia and fibula are joined to create our ankle joint. Ankles are more prone to fractures because the ankle is an area that suffers a lot of pressure and stress. There are some obvious signs when a person experiences a fractured ankle, and the following symptoms may be present.

Symptoms of a Fractured Ankle

  • Excessive pain when the area is touched or when any pressure is placed on the ankle
  •  Swelling around the area
  •  Bruising of the area
  • Area appears to be deformed

If you suspect an ankle fracture, it is recommended to seek treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you have your podiatrist diagnose the fracture, the quicker you’ll be on the way towards recovery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Agoura Hills, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks Marin St., and Thousand Oaks Haaland Drive, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about All About Broken Ankle

Insights Into Definition and Causes of Sever’s Disease

Sever's disease, also known as calcaneal apophysitis, is a common heel condition that primarily affects children and adolescents during periods of rapid growth. Contrary to its name, Sever's disease is not an actual disease but rather an overuse injury that occurs when the growth plate at the back of the heel becomes inflamed. This growth plate, the calcaneal apophysis, is particularly vulnerable during growth spurts when bones, muscles, and tendons develop at different rates. The repetitive stress on the growth plate from activities such as running or jumping can lead to pain, swelling, and tenderness at the back of the heel. Factors such as tight calf muscles, improper footwear, and engaging in high-impact sports contribute to the development of Sever's disease. If your child participates in sporting events and has developed heel pain, it is strongly suggested that you confer with a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose and treat Sever’s disease.

Sever's disease often occurs in children and teens. If your child is experiencing foot or ankle pain, see one of our doctors from Advanced Foot & Ankle Medical Center. Our doctors can treat your child’s foot and ankle needs.

Sever’s Disease

Sever’s disease is also known as calcaneal apophysitis, which is a medical condition that causes heel pain I none or both feet. The disease is known to affect children between the ages of 8 and 14.

Sever’s disease occurs when part of the child’s heel known as the growth plate (calcaneal epiphysis) is attached to the Achilles tendon. This area can suffer injury when the muscles and tendons of the growing foot do not keep pace with bone growth. Therefore, the constant pain which one experiences at the back of the heel will make the child unable to put any weight on the heel. The child is then forced to walk on their toes.

Symptoms

Acute pain – Pain associated with Sever’s disease is usually felt in the heel when the child engages in physical activity such as walking, jumping and or running.

Highly active – Children who are very active are among the most susceptible in experiencing Sever’s disease, because of the stress and tension placed on their feet.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Agoura Hills, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks Marin St., and Thousand Oaks Haaland Drive, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

Read more about Sever's Disease

Heel Fissures

Skin fissures are painful cracks that can develop due to dryness and thickened skin. They are common on the heels, often associated with dryness. Fissures can be superficial or deep and may lead to skin ulcers if left untreated. Various factors contribute to skin fissures, including nutritional deficiencies, dry skin conditions, fungal infections, diabetes, and damage to blood vessels. Lifestyle factors like dehydration, frequent washing, climate, profession, and inappropriate footwear can exacerbate dry skin. Treatment depends on the depth of the fissures. Superficial fissures can be managed with daily foot checks, gentle use of a pumice stone, moisturizer application, and protective bandages. Deeper fissures may require debridement, prescription-strength softeners, skin glue, strapping, antibiotics, and heel support. Regular moisturizing and investigating underlying health conditions are vital for effective management and prevention. If you have cracked heels that appear to be worsening, infected, or turning into fissures, it is strongly suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for advanced treatment.

Cracked heels are unsightly and can cause further damage to your shoes and feet. If you have any concerns, contact one of our doctors from Advanced Foot & Ankle Medical Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Cracked Heels

Cracked heels appear unappealing and can make it harder for you walk around in sandals. Aside from looking unpleasant, cracked heels can also tear stockings, socks, and wear out your shoes. There are several methods to help restore a cracked heel and prevent further damage.

How Do You Get Them?

Dry skin is the number one culprit in creating cracked heels. Many athletes, walkers, joggers, and even swimmers suffer from cracked heels. Age and skin oil production play a role to getting cracked heels as well.

Promote Healing

Over the counter medicines can help, especially for those that need instant relief or who suffer from chronic dry feet.

Wear Socks – Wearing socks with medicated creams helps lock in moisture.

Moisturizers – Applying both day and night will help alleviate dryness which causes cracking.

Pumice Stones – These exfoliate and remove dead skin, which allows for smoother moisturizer application and better absorption into the skin. 

Change in Diet

Eating healthy with a well-balanced diet will give the skin a fresh and radiant look. Your body responds to the kinds of food you ingest. Omega-3 fatty acids and zinc supplements can also revitalize skin tissue.

Most importantly, seek professional help if unsure how to proceed in treating cracked heels. A podiatrist will help you with any questions or information needed. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Agoura Hills, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks Marin St., and Thousand Oaks Haaland Drive, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Solutions for Cracked Heels

Preventing Running Injuries and Sustaining Flexibility

Embarking on a running journey is a pursuit of both physical fitness and mental well-being. To ensure a sustained and injury-free experience, incorporating preventive measures into your running routine is paramount. A key way to prevent running injuries is to begin with a dynamic warm-up routine, encompassing stretches that target key muscle groups. Consistent strength training that focuses on the core and lower body fortifies the muscles, reducing the risk of overuse injuries in the feet. Investing in quality footwear that suits your foot type and running terrain is a cornerstone of injury prevention. Gradual progression in mileage and intensity allows the body to adapt, minimizing the strain on foot's many muscles and joints. Listening to your body and recognizing early signs of fatigue or discomfort enables timely adjustments to prevent injuries. Post-run stretches that emphasize flexibility aid in muscle recovery and maintain joint suppleness. By integrating these strategies, runners can safeguard against injuries and nurture flexibility, fostering a sustainable and fulfilling running experience. If you are experiencing foot or ankle injuries related to running, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist.

All runners should take extra precaution when trying to avoid injury. If you have any concerns about your feet, contact one of our doctors of Advanced Foot & Ankle Medical Center. Our doctors will treat your foot and ankle needs.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

There are a lot of mistakes a runner can make prior to a workout that can induce injury. A lot of athletes tend to overstretch before running, instead of saving those workouts for a post-run routine. Deep lunges and hand-to-toe hamstring pulls should be performed after a workout instead of during a warmup. Another common mistake is jumping into an intense routine before your body is physically prepared for it. You should try to ease your way into long-distance running instead of forcing yourself to rush into it.

More Tips for Preventing Injury

  • Incorporate Strength Training into Workouts - This will help improve the body’s overall athleticism
  • Improve and Maintain Your Flexibility – Stretching everyday will help improve overall performance
  • “Warm Up” Before Running and “Cool Down” Afterward – A warm up of 5-10 minutes helps get rid of lactic acid in the muscles and prevents delayed muscle soreness
  • Cross-Training is Crucial
  • Wear Proper Running Shoes
  • Have a Formal Gait Analysis – Poor biomechanics can easily cause injury

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Agoura Hills, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks Marin St., and Thousand Oaks Haaland Drive, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Read more about Preventing Running Injuries

Connect With Us

scroll-to-top