Yao Ming’s Foot Injury May Be Career-Ending

Yao Ming, the 7-foot-6 center for the Houston Rockets, may be looking at a more serious injury than previously believed. The injury came late in the 108-94 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. Yao Ming left the game, and his left foot was immobilized immediately, pending further medical studies. The fracture to his navicular bone, a bone on the inside of the foot, has expanded rather than healing.

The news comes after team physician, Dr. Tom Clanton told the Houston Chronicle that Yao Ming’s injury “has the potential for him missing this next season and could be career-threatening." Though Yao is not experiencing any pain or tenderness with the injury, a bone scan revealed that the hairline fracture of the navicular had grown larger, and that intervention would likely be necessary.

Specialists are being consulted on the manner, and options are being weighed. One of the options being considered is to surgically fix the broken bone by placing a permanent screw into it. This type of procedure would likely sideline the Rockets’ keystone player for at least the next season. A similar procedure was performed on Cleveland Cavaliers center Zyndrunas Ilgauskas, with good results. Other options include giving the bone more time to heal, using a bone graft, or repositioning the foot to relieve some of the stress on the injury. The important thing to remember is that Yao is not suffering any pain for now, so any intervention will have to take this into consideration.

This injury is the most serious in a series of foot and leg injuries suffered by Yao Ming. Yao missed 21 games in the 2005-2006 season because of an infection in his toe that required surgery. He then broke a bone in his left foot that April, sidelining him once again. Yao sat out another 32 games the following year with a broken right leg, and then had a stress fracture in his left leg in the 2007-2008 that made him miss the playoffs.

The hairline fracture comes as a huge blow to the Rockets, who made it out of the first round of the NBA playoffs this year for the first time since signing Yao. If in fact Yao is done, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey is in for a tough decision. Yao Ming was considered one of the cornerstones of the team, and his presence on the court will certainly be missed. Additionally, Yao Ming has helped bolster the NBA’s international image in China. Over a billion people may be holding their breath right now, waiting to see if Yao will be back for next year’s season.

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

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis, a condition which thins and weakens the bones, is a preventable and treatable disease that increases the risk of bone fractures. It is a disease that can go undetected for many years, and is fairly common, particularly among postmenopausal women. While it is possible for men to develop osteoporosis, an overwhelming majority of those who suffer from osteoporosis are women. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, approximately 10 million Americans suffer from osteoporosis, 8 million of which are women.

Women of all ages can be diagnosed with osteoporosis, though the age group that is most at risk is women who have gone through menopause. Additionally, another 34 million Americans are estimated to have low bone mass, which can lead to the development of osteoporosis.

Our bones are living tissues, made up of a bony matrix composed mostly of collagen and hydroxyapatite, which is a mineral compound of calcium and phosphate. The combination of these two components of bone makes them strong and durable, yet flexible enough to withstand stress forces.

Throughout our lives, cells in our bones are constantly remodeling this bony matrix. Cells known as osteoblasts work to lay down new bone, while cells known as osteoclasts work to degrade the old bone.

In a normal individual, this balance is kept in place, with only a slight decrease in bone density over our lives. With osteoporosis, however, this balance is lost, resulting in a thinned and fragile bone.

The areas of the body most affected by the loss of bone density associated with osteoporosis are the hips, spine and wrist. All bones in the body, however, can be affected. In 2005 alone, there were over 2 million reported fractures due to osteoporosis, with over a quarter of them being fractures of the vertebrae. In women with osteoporosis, these fractures are a significant risk.

So how do we treat osteoporosis? What are some steps to prevention? The National Osteoporosis Foundation offers these steps to prevention:

· Make sure you are getting the daily recommended values of vitamin D and calcium. These values are 1,000 mg for calcium and 5 mcg for vitamin D.

· Perform weight bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise on a regular basis.

· Avoid excessive alcohol and smoking, and these can effect the calcium in your body.

· Have a bone density exam performed, especially if you are female and postmenopausal.

· Talk to your health care provider about bone health, and any other concerns.

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

Nordic Walking

Ever seen anyone walking with ski poles?  What they’re doing is something called Nordic Walking.            

Nordic walking began as a cross-training activity for cross-country skiers in the summer.  It has been practices for decades, and for a while was known as “ski-walking”.  It quickly evolved to include backpackers, who could use the poles to lessen the amount of weight on their hips and knees.  It has now been marketed as a way to enjoy a more complete workout from fitness walking. 

Nordic walking is an effective and practical way to exercise, being as easy to do as walking without poles.  It is an exercise that can be done in just about any climate or conditions.  It incorporates more muscles into exercise than regular walking, including large core muscles and muscles of the upper body.  This creates a more complete workout than regular walking.  When using Nordic walking poles, your heart rate is increased when compared to walking at the same pace without the poles, which leads to more calories burned.  Using Nordic walking poles also makes it easier to climb hills.

Another advantage of Nordic Walking is that it lessens the impact that walking can have.  Using the poles takes a great deal of weight off of the joints of the lower extremity, including the hips, knees, and joints.  This can be an important aspect of fitness walking for elderly people, or others that may have a tough time getting around.  Walking poles also provide greater balance than walking without poles. 

Nordic walking poles may look like ski poles, but they do have some important differences.  They are shorter than ski poles used for cross-country skiing, which allows them to be functional.  They are very lightweight, and are usually made out of aluminum or carbon fiber.  They usually have removable rubber tips for walking on cement or asphalt, and small metal spikes for walking on surfaces like sand, dirt, or snow.  Some walking poles are single pieces, while others have a telescoping design that allows for easy adjustment.  Some companies that make Nordic walking poles include Leki, Exel, Keytz, and others.  A set of poles generally runs somewhere between $20 and $150.  They are often sold in sporting-goods stores or stores that specialize in walking and running.

So next time you see some people on the beach or the sidewalk walking with poles, don’t just stare at them wondering what they’re doing…ask if you can join them!

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

Marathon Training?

Thinking about running a marathon?  You’re definitely going to want a plan.  An essential part of running a marathon is the training that leads up to race day.  Whether you are a first time marathoner or seasoned veteran, the 26.2 mile length of the race can be a daunting feat.  The proper training schedule is a must.

            There has been a vast amount of writing on the subject – a search on Amazon.com for marathon training books will give you over two-thousand results.  With so many plans to choose from, how do you know which is the right one for you?      

            First of all, it’s important to recognize whether or not you are a consistent runner before you start training.  Do you run somewhere around 20-25 miles a week?  If so, you should be ready to jump into a more serious training schedule.  If you’re not running at all, or only running once in a while, its important to be able to get up to that 25 mile per week mark.  This will separate you from the less serious runners.  If you have a known health condition, or suspect you may have a health condition that would interfere with running this kind of distance, talk to your doctor before starting any type of exercise program. 

            The next step is to pick a plan that works for you.  Do you want to train alone?  Would you rather train in a group?  Some places may have marathon training groups that start in the spring, leading up to the fall marathon season.  You can check with your local running store to see if they know of any training groups in the area.  If you’d rather train on your own, you can pick up a book to guide you on your way.  Most books offer training programs that run four to six months, depending on the level of runner you are to begin with. 

            While training for your marathon, you’ll generally start out by running around 20-25 miles in the first week.  Many marathon training schedules have you running shorter runs during the week, and saving one day a week for your “long runs”.  These will be the runs that will get you used to running marathon distances.  You may start out at four or six miles as your long run in the first couple of weeks, and slowly progress to longer distances as the training continues.  Eventually, you’ll be running up to twenty miles at a time.  There are very few, if any, marathon training programs that have you running the full 26.2 miles before the race –wouldn't you rather save that accomplishment for race day?

            A training schedule can be a grueling, but the reward at the end is great.  If you’re thinking about running a marathon, think about picking out a schedule that works for you.  If you need help, there are lots of resources, and fellow marathoners are usually willing to lend a hand.  An excellent resource can be a local running store, where the employees are generally trained to provide you with plenty of information.

            Good luck on your training!  You can do it!

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

Tim Redding Back on the Mound

LAKELAND, Fla. - Tim Redding threw off a mound Saturday for the first time since being shut down with discomfort in the back of his right shoulder. The right-hander reported no difficulty and said he remained on track to pitch in his first spring game a week from Sunday.

 Redding, who is expected to claim a job as either a long reliever or the No.5 starter, believes the shoulder issue arose because he tried to ramp up activity too quickly upon arriving in camp. He was idle for much of the winter because of Nov.28 surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left, landing foot.

 DR’S RESPONSE:  A stress fracture is essentially a very small incomplete fracture.  It typically is created by repetitive micro trauma.  In this athlete’s case, it is most likely due to the constant barrage created by the planting of the left foot on the turf as the ball is released from his right hand.  By repeatedly stamping down his left foot, he has created an environment where the bone has been injured. 

 Another consideration is which particular bone is injured.  Although the article doesn’t specify the bone, it is important to understand that different parts of the foot heal differently.  This is most often due to the differences in blood flow to different parts of the foot.  For example, the outside of your foot receives less blood flow than the heel.  A fracture on the outside of the foot would normally take longer to heal than a fracture in your heel. 

 Stress fractures are treated in a variety of ways.  The most common method of treatment involves rest and immobilization.  The thought is that removal of the offending repetitive injury will allow the bone in question a good chance to heal.  By maintaining a non weight bearing foot, the body’s ability to heal is accelerated significantly because the bone surfaces are not being constantly disrupted, as they would be in normal walking. 

 Another treatment option is the use of a bone stimulator.  This fancy contraption sends micro amounts of voltage several times a day to the bone fracture site.  The proven theory behind this is that electricity stimulates the cells in the area of the fracture to respond with more potential. Small amounts of electricity “excite” these cells and spur them into action.  By increasing the productivity of these cells, the length of time for a fracture to heal is reduced. 

 Another treatment option is surgery.  Although this is rare, there are a few indications where a surgical approach would be most appropriate.  An athlete who has a limited time schedule due seasonal commitments would be a prime example.  Other reasons to consider surgery include worsening of the fracture or gaping at the fracture site and lack of improvement secondary to previous treatment methods.  

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC
101 6th Street N.W.
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Phone: 863-299-4551
http://www.flfootandankle.com

Durant will miss up to two weeks with a Grade II ankle sprain

Thunder forward Kevin Durant will miss up to two weeks with a Grade II ankle sprain, according to a team source.

 Oklahoma City Thunder guard Kevin Durant (35) holds his leg after injuring himself against the Dallas Mavericks during an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Friday, Feb. 27, 2009. Durant left the game. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

 Durant is expected to miss seven to 14 days after rolling his right ankle in Friday’s game atDallas when he stepped on the foot of Mavs forward Josh Howard while driving to the basket with 7:13 left in the first quarter. He remained in the game for about three minutes before walking off the court with a limp.

 Team officials said X-rays taken on Durant’s foot were negative, but Durant wore a protective boot on his right foot and walked with the aid of crutches following the Thunder’s 110-108 overtime loss.

 Grade II sprains can include damage or tearing of ligaments or a joint capsule and are characterized by swelling, extensive bruising, pain and difficulty bearing weight.

 Durant is the NBA’s fourth leading scorer at 26.0 points per game and is averaging 30.6 points in February. Durant had missed only one game this season, a Nov. 12 home game againstOrlando because of a sprained left ankle.

 DR’S RESPONSE:  Ankle sprains can conceivably ruin your day.  Because these are so common and are seen on a daily basis, podiatric physicians have become masters at treating this condition.  Let me give a brief overview of this condition.

 There are two main kinds of ankle sprains.  We can roughly separate them into those on the inside of the ankle and those on the outside of the ankle.  The most common type is those that affect the outside of the ankle.  This is due to a variety of reasons, the most significant of which is related to the biomechanics of your foot type.  Specific types of feet, like high arches, tend to have more of these types of injuries.  A sprain that stretches the soft tissues on the outside of your foot is referred to as an inversion type of injury.  A sprain which affects the inside of your ankle is far less common and this type of injury is called an eversion sprain.  Again, biomechanics has some input regarding this type of injury, but also the fact that these particular soft tissues are stronger and more strategically placed also has a lot to do with making these type of injuries less common.

 Let’s discuss the more common type of ankle sprain, the inversion injury.  There are three main ligaments on the outside of your ankle.  A ligament is a band of soft tissue which connects one bone to another bone.  Ligaments are typically placed at certain locations to limit or diminish movement of the local bones.  A wider or stronger ligament will resist these forces much better than a smaller or poorly placed ligament. 

 Looking at the anatomy of an ankle, the three ligaments are pretty much equally spaced around the outside of the ankle.  There is one at the front outside, and the middle outside, and one at the back outside of the ankle joint.  Let’s call those ligaments 1, 2, and 3 respectively.  Conveniently, the order of tearing or rupture of those ligaments is exactly the same as their number.  For instance, a grade I sprain indicates that the ligament at the front outside of the ankle joint has been injured.  This ligament is the most common one to be injured because when a ankle rolls, there is significant stress applied to this ligament first. 

 A grade II injury, as in this athlete’s case, refers to an injury that has affected the first AND second ligaments that we previously mentioned.  In other words, this athlete has sprained the front and middle outside ligaments but has not affected the back outside one.  Finally, a grade III injury is quite rare.  This is because the back outside ligament is not only the strongest ligament on the outside of the ankle but also the most strategically placed ligament.  It is virtually impossible to rupture without a significant force being applied to it.

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Center, LLC
101 6th Street N.W.
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Phone: 863-299-4551
http://www.flfootandankle.com

Miller's high ankle sprain explained

Miller's high ankle sprain explained

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - When the Buffalo Sabres take to the ice Tuesday night, it will be without Ryan Miller in the net.  When Miller went down, he wasn't able to get back on his skates.  The hit produced a particular type of injury called a high ankle sprain.

RESPONSE:  High ankle sprains are often painful and debilitating.  Any sprain is a rupture or tear of a ligament that connects bones to adjacent bones.  Most commonly, ankle sprains occur on the outside and bottom of our ankles where certain ligaments attach the foot to the ankle.  This is much more common in nature and the treatment usually consists of rest and immobilization.  With a high ankle sprain, the injury occurs to a ligament that courses between and connects the two lower leg bones together.  This ligament is much broader in nature and as such, is much more difficult to injure, requiring a significant increase in the amount of force required to produce such an injury.  And because it is larger and wider, it takes longer to heal than a typical ankle sprain.  Treatment is very similar as a typical ankle sprain, except more prolonged.  Ankle sprains are the most common sports injuries. And most happen to amateurs. If you get one, and if you have trouble bearing weight, don't delay, see a podiatrist right away.

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