Three injuries most common among runners are Achilles tendonitis, heel bursitis, and sprained ankles. The first two heel and ankle injuries are considered to be caused by overuse and generally become worse over time. A sprain, however, is usually caused by trauma and is felt immediately. Achilles tendonitis affects the long tendon that connects the leg muscles to the calcaneus bone of the heel. If a runner increases the speed, distance, or duration of a run too quickly, the Achilles tendon can become irritated or inflamed. The injury may also be the result of calf muscles that are too tight and need to be stretched. Heel bursitis occurs when the small fluid sac, or bursa, that cushions the heel bone becomes inflamed by too much running, jumping, or walking. Because the same area is affected, heel bursitis can be confused with Achilles tendonitis. Ankle sprains occur when the ligaments that hold the ankle joint together are torn or stretched. Sprains commonly result from landing incorrectly on the foot, which rolls outward and pulls on the ligaments. If you have sustained any of these injuries, please consult a chiropodist for an exam, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment options.

Although running is a wonderful exercise to keep you in shape, it can wreak havoc on your feet and ankles if you don’t take preventive measures. If you have sustained a foot and ankle injury from running, please consult with Cynthia Chan, B.Sc., D.Ch from Healthy Advantage Foot & Orthotic Clinic. Our practitioner can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Some common running injuries include:

• Achilles tendonitis
• Shin splints
• Ankle sprains
• Stress fractures
• Plantar fasciitis
• Bursitis 

What causes injuries? 

These injuries are usually caused by overtraining, wearing the wrong shoes, running on hard surfaces, having tight and inflexible muscles, or having biomechanical issues in the feet or ankles. 

What can I do to prevent injuries? 

• Train slowly and gradually
• Give yourself plenty of time to recover following a run
• Wear shoes that fit properly and support your foot
• Avoid running on hard surfaces, like concrete
• Stretch and strengthen the muscles of your lower legs
• Warm-up prior to a run
• Have your gait analyzed and your feet examined by a chiropodist to determine if there are any biomechanical problems that need to be treated 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Scarborough, ON . 

Arthritis is a painful disease that affects joints in the body. There are several kinds of arthritis, including osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and gout. Gout occurs when the body fails to fully expel uric acid from the body as it processes purines. This excess uric acid forms into hard crystals that accumulate in joints, most commonly in the joint at the base of the big toe. Diet, heredity, certain medical conditions, and other factors can make a person more prone to developing gout. Some believe that there may be an association between gout, OA, RA, and PsA in certain cases. This is because these conditions compromise joints, and make them vulnerable to other forms of arthritis. If you have any pain in the joints of your feet or ankles, contact a chiropodist for an examination. Once they make a diagnosis of your condition, an appropriate treatment plan can be devised and implemented.

Gout is a painful form of arthritis that can affect anyone. Please consult with Cynthia Chan, B.Sc., D.Ch from Healthy Advantage Foot & Orthotic Clinic. Our practitioner will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

What Is Gout?

Gout is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and tenderness in the joints. This type of arthritis is caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream. When uric acid crystallizes in a joint, often the joint of the big toe, it can bring about a gout attack. 

Symptoms

Symptoms of gout include: 

• Sudden and severe pain
• Swelling
• Redness
• Warmth
• Joint stiffness
• Joint deformity

Diagnosis

A chiropodist will ask questions about your personal and family medical history, followed by an examination of the affected joint. Laboratory tests and x-rays are sometimes ordered to determine if the inflammation is caused by something other than gout. A sample of fluid taken from your joint can show whether it contains uric acid. 

Treatment

Prescription medications or injections are used to treat the pain, swelling, and inflammation. Patients with chronic gout can also use behavioral modifications such as diet, exercise, and decreased intake of alcohol to help minimize the frequency of gout attacks. Foods and beverages that are high in purines should be avoided since purines are converted in the body to uric acid. If left untreated, this painful condition can leave your joint permanently damaged and swollen.  

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Scarborough, ON . 

Getting injured while playing sports is not unusual, and according to research, about one-fourth of those injuries occur in the foot. Further, the type of sport you play has a direct effect on the likelihood of getting hurt. Sports that involve running and jumping, especially on hard surfaces, increase the risk of foot and ankle injuries. The most common sports-related injuries, brought on mainly by overuse or repetitive actions, are plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, foot stress fractures, and Achilles tendonitis. Plantar fasciitis, common to runners, occurs when the band of tissue on the sole of the foot becomes inflamed and tears. Heel spurs, often linked to plantar fasciitis, occur as calcium deposits develop on the bottom of the heel bone. Foot stress fractures are tiny cracks in the foot bones that can result from repeated pounding. They are common in basketball, tennis and soccer players, as well as dancers and gymnasts. Achilles tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendon that connects the heel to the calf. It is common in sports that call for a lot of running and jumping. If you are active in sports, it is a good idea to develop an ongoing relationship with a chiropodist who can treat any foot and ankle injuries you may sustain.  

Injuries to the foot and ankle are very common among athletes. If you have experienced an injury, please consult with Cynthia Chan, B.Sc., D.Ch from Healthy Advantage Foot & Orthotic Clinic. Our practitioner will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

Common Injuries Among Athletes: 

• Achilles tendon injuries
• Ankle strains or sprains
• Plantar fasciitis
• Fractures
• Turf toe
• Joint dislocations
• Sever’s disease
• Morton’s neuroma

Symptoms

Symptoms will depend on the cause and severity of the injury. Common symptoms for a foot or ankle injury include pain, swelling, tenderness, bruising, a reduced range of motion, and difficulty bearing weight or walking on the affected foot or ankle. 

Diagnosis

Sports injuries are typically diagnosed after carefully examining the affected foot or ankle. This includes moving the injured area to test its range of motion. Medical history will need to be provided, as well as detailed information about how the injury occurred. Imaging studies, such as X-rays or MRIs, may be used to confirm or rule out certain diagnoses. 

Treatment

Just like symptoms, treatment will depend on the type of injury and its severity. Initial treatment for many sports injuries is aimed at controlling inflammation and promoting the healing response. The acronym R.I.C.E is a helpful guide to implement for most acute injuries. This method involves resting, icing, compressing, and elevating the affected foot or ankle. In addition, anti-inflammatory medications may be administered and orthotic devices may be prescribed. For more severe injuries, surgery may be required. Lastly, rehabilitation or physical therapy may be needed to gain full functionality in the afflicted area.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Scarborough, ON .