 Drs.
Klein is proud to bring the latest news to all interested patients
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Newsletter
– Winter 2007
Balancing
Act: The Wrong Winter Boot Could Lead to Ankle, Foot Injuries
Athletes: Beware of Winter Tendon Injuries
Seniors:
Painful Feet Contribute to Falls
Tips to Avoid Winter Ankle Injuries
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Balancing
Act: The Wrong Winter Boot Could Lead to Ankle, Foot Injuries
Ladies, listen up! This winter's fashionable high-heeled boots
put you at risk for slips, falls, and injuries on ice and snow.
The
season's popular women's boots typically feature tall, spiked
heels and narrow, pointed toes. These boots can make your feet
unstable on snow- and ice-covered surfaces.
A
stylish low-heeled winter boot is a lot more fashionable than
a cast and crutches. We recommend women scuff-up the soles of
new boots, or purchase adhesive rubber soles, to provide greater
traction.
Falls
from high-heeled winter boots can lead to a number of injuries,
depending on how you lose your balance. If your ankles roll inward
or outward, you can break your ankles. If your ankle twists, ligaments
can be stretched or torn, causing an ankle sprain. Broken and
sprained ankles can be present at the same time. Slipping or falling
in these boots can also cause broken toe, metatarsal and heel
bones.
If
you do get hurt, call our office for prompt evaluation and treatment.
In the meantime, the "R.I.C.E." method should be followed.
This involves:
Rest.
It is crucial to stay off the injured foot, since walking can
cause further damage.
Ice.
To reduce swelling and pain, apply a bag of ice over a thin
towel to the affected area for 20 minutes of each waking hour.
Do not put ice directly against the skin.
Compression.
Wrap the ankle in an elastic bandage or wear a compression stocking
to prevent further swelling.
Elevation.
Keep the foot elevated to reduce the swelling. It should be
even with or slightly above the hip level.
Delaying
treatment can result in longterm complications such as chronic
ankle instability and pain, arthritis, or deformity. Even if you’re
able to walk on the injured foot, the pain, swelling, or bruising
may indicate a serious injury.
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Athletes:
Beware of Winter Tendon Injuries
During
the winter months, many athletes move indoors to play basketball,
volleyball, and even tennis and soccer. But sports that involve
repetitive ankle motion could put you at risk for peroneal tendon
injuries.
What's
a peroneal tendon? Each foot has two. They run side-by-side behind
the outer ankle bone. Their main function is to stabilize the
foot and ankle and protect them from sprains. If you're noticing
pain, swelling, weakness or instability in your ankles after playing
indoor sports, call our office.
There are three basic types of peroneal tendon injuries:
Tendonitis
is an inflammation of one or both tendons
Acute
tears
are caused by repetitive activity or trauma.
Degenerative
tears
(tendonosis) are usually due to overuse and occur over long
periods of time—often years.
Treatment
depends on the type of injury and can include immobilization,
medications, physical therapy,
bracing, and surgery.
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Seniors:
Painful Feet Contribute to Falls
Painful foot conditions put senior citizens at risk for dangerous,
even deadly falls. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
recently announced that falls have become the leading cause of
injury deaths for seniors. The latest statistics reveal more than
13,700 older adults a year die from falls.
You
are vulnerable to falls if you have lower body weakness or problems
with walking and balance. Arthritis, corns, bunions, hammertoes
and other painful foot ailments can be contributing factors.
Just
one fall can permanently rob an older adult of his or her independence
and quality of life. If you're an older adult who suffers from
foot pain or other conditions that affect your balance and stability,
call our office for an examination.
Many
times, simple, effective measures such as stretching exercises
or padding for painful corns and hammertoes can reduce or eliminate
your foot pain. When surgery is the most appropriate treatment
for a senior's painful feet, advances in modern surgical techniques
often allow treatment to be performed on an outpatient basis.
Research
shows that seniors who have fallen before or who stumble frequently
are two to three times more likely to fall within the next year.
Don't let your painful feet put you at risk for a fall!
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Tips
to Avoid Winter Ankle Injuries
- Keep
areas around outside doorways well-lit so icy patches are visible
-
Wear shoes or boots with a traction sole that can prevent slipping
-
Check for slippery spots before getting out of a car or walking
on stairs
-
Avoid wearing high-heeled shoes outdoors
-
Stretch and warm up before outdoor and indoor physical activities
This information was developed by the American College of
Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
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