Sports Medicine and Podiatry

You may have heard the term “Sports Medicine” before, but do you know what it means? Sports medicine is a subspecialty of medicine that is concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of injuries related to sports or exercise. It is an area of medicine that has been getting more attention lately, as an aging baby boomer population is living a very active life. This population, as well as millions of others with an active lifestyle, is prone to injuries of the bones, joints, muscles and ligaments, all of which can be treated by a sports medicine specialist. Podiatrists, as well as orthopedists and physiatrists, can all specialize in sports medicine.

So how big of a deal are sports injuries? In the United States alone, there are approximately 3-5 million sports-related injuries every year, which costs on average about $1 billion. According to information tracked by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) the most common sites for sports-related injuries are the ankle, knee, and lower leg. From high school sports statistics, over 53% of reported injuries were of the lower extremity. It’s easy to see how a podiatrist, a doctor specializing in the treatment of the foot and lower extremity, would be very busy if they specialized in sports medicine.

An often overlooked area of concern for many athletes is the preparation before participation in sports. Injuries are often sustained within the first four weeks of training. This is a critical time period for athletes to remain at the top of their game, and to remain injury-free. It is during this time period that prevention becomes extremely important, so as to avoid a serious injury.

Some of the most common sports-related injuries include sprained ligaments, muscle strains, and contusions (bruising). Many of these injuries are due to the enormous forces placed on the lower extremity during sports. When walking, we put roughly 1.5 times our body weight in force on each leg. When running, the forces are equal to roughly three times our body weight on each leg. Jumping increases the force to over six times body weight, and very high impact activities like skateboarding can increase the forces placed on our lower extremities to over seventeen times the body weight!

A podiatrist will usually work with the athlete directly or through the athletic trainer to prevent injury and improve function during activity. In sports medicine, a team approach is often taken with the podiatrist or other physician, the athlete, the athletic trainer, and often the coach. More advanced athletes and professional athletes may also have a massage therapist, a nutritionist, a personal trainer, and even a sports psychologist. The team that helps the athletes may be larger than the team of athletes itself!

Central Florida Foot and Ankle Center, LLC.
101 6TH St. NW.
Winter Haven, Fl. 33881
863-299-4551
http://www.FLFootandAnkle.com

Rashard Lewis Suspended 10 Games for Steroids

Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis was suspended ten games for testing positive for elevated testosterone levels.

“Toward the end of the season I took an over-the-counter supplement which at the time I did not realize included a substance banned by the NBA,” Lewis said. “I hope every athlete can learn from my mistake that supplements, no matter how innocent they seem, should only be taken after consulting an expert in the field.”

The substance that Lewis referred to is DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone), a precursor for human steroid that is commonly found in over-the-counter nutritional supplements. DHEA is a naturally occurring substance in the body, but elevated levels suggest an additional supply, such as that from a nutritional supplement.

"I apologize to Magic fans, my teammates and this organization for not doing the research that should come with good judgment," Lewis said in the statement. "I hope this unintentional mistake will not reflect poorly on our team and its great character.

The news that Rashard Lewis will sit the first ten games of the 2009-2010 season without pay comes as a blow to Magic fans, who witnessed the team go to the NBA finals for the first time since 1995, when Shaquille O’Neal was still on the team.

Lewis had an integral role in leading the Magic to the finals last year, averaging 19.0 points in the playoffs, as well as 6.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

Last season marked Lewis’ eleventh in the NBA. He averaged 17.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 79 games.

Steroid and other performance-enhancing supplements have been in the national spotlight for quite some time now. Football players, cyclists, and most notably Major League Baseball players have had their fair share of attention on the topic. But for the NBA, steroid use has been relatively quiet, with many comments hinting at the idea that these types of performance enhancers would not help in basketball. Athletes in other sports have come under heavy questioning on the subject, but basketball players have been saved from this.

With Lewis being indicated, he adds to the list of NBA athletes who have been confirmed as using steroids, a list that already included Darius Miles, Lindsey Hunter, Don MacLean, Matt Geiger, and Soumalia Samake.

The question is, will the NBA begin to be scrutinized as the MLB has been? Should it be? There are undoubtedly more players using similar performance-enhancing products, many of which are slipping under the radar. With Rashard Lewis being added to the list, watch for more names to come.

Central Florida Foot and Ankle Center, LLC.
101 6TH St. NW.
Winter Haven, Fl. 33881
863-299-4551
http://www.FLFootandAnkle.com

Cycle with your Feet

What began as a means of transportation in the 19^th century, the bicycle has evolved into something that has had a tremendous impact on human history and culture. Many have been noticed as contributing to the early design of the bicycle, including John Dunlop who is credited with creating the first air-filled tires. Modern cyclists ride bikes that would look foreign to the original cyclists – racing bikes can be made of carbon fiber and cost upwards of five thousand dollars. Today over 100 million Americans report to riding a bike recreationally, and in many places of the world it is still the primary mode of transportation.

Perhaps the most important piece of equipment, besides finding the right type and size of bike, are the shoes one wears when cycling. Cycling shoes are very stiff, with a strong shank through the shoe. This provides a way for the energy from the foot to be transferred into the pedals, providing the most efficient source of energy to spin the wheels. Without a proper shank in the shoe, the arch may collapse while pedaling. This can cause a multitude of foot problems, such as arch pain, tendon problems, or a burning sensation in the bottom of the foot.

It is especially important to select the right cycling shoes if you have a history of foot problems, or if you wear custom orthotic devices. Select a shoe that is specific to your needs, whether that is mountain biking or road biking. For casual riders, the option of a stiff cross training shoe will usually be sufficient. There are also combination biking/hiking shoes that have become more popular in recent years.

If you’re getting more serious with cycling, and want to take it to the next level, you may want to consider bike pedals with toe clips. These are small metal devices that the tip of your shoe fits into, that makes pedaling more efficient. Instead of just pushing with your feet, you can now have a combination pushing/pulling motion more easily. Some may opt for a “clipless” set-up, which are bike pedals that resemble ski bindings. These pedal systems have special shoes that will snap into place, and will be the most efficient way to transfer energy from your lower extremities into the pedals.

Whether you are riding for fun, exercise, or training for a race, it’s important to listen to your body. Many cyclists wind up in a podiatrist’s office with pain in their feet and legs from cycling beyond their limits. The following is a list of common conditions associated with cycling injuries:

· Knee Pain may be caused by improper biomechanics, resulting from a bike that doesn’t fit or poor positioning of the feet while riding. It may present as a clicking, popping, or grinding noise from the joint. Problems with the knee need to be analyzed by a medical specialist right away, as they can quickly progress to more serious and painful situations.

· Achilles Tendonitis is generally seen in riders as an overuse injury, fairly common in serious cyclists. It is a straining or even tearing of the Achilles tendon, and is usually treated with rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications.

· Shin Splints may be caused by poor biomechanics while cycling. This is pain on either side of the shin bones, especially when walking.

· Sesamoiditis is a condition of the sesamoid bones, two small bones located under the joint of the big toe. These can become inflamed from too much pressure, usually from a combination of overuse and improper footwear.

· Numbness, especially in the space between the third and fourth toes, may be a sign that the shoes you are wearing to bike in are too tight. Wider shoes may help. Numbness should be evaluated by a sports medicine specialist, as it ma be a sign of a more serious condition known as acute compartment syndrome.

Enjoy that bike ride, but remember to be safe! Pay attention to pain from your legs and feet, and talk to a doctor if you’re having problems. Also, wear a helmet!

Central Florida Foot and Ankle Center, LLC.
101 6TH St. NW.
Winter Haven, Fl. 33881
Phone: 863-299-4551
http://www.FLFootandAnkle.com