APOPHYSITIS

APOPHYSITIS

Unlike the heel spurs that occur in adults, heel pain is very unusual in children. For the children who do get heel pain, the most common cause is an irregularity to the growing area at the back of the heel bone where the large achilles tendon attaches to it. This is called Calcaneal Apophysitis (an inflammation of the growth plate). It occurs most often to children between the ages of 10 to 14.

 

The Development of Heel Pain:

Most of the bones are still cartilage when a baby is born. Only some are developing into bone. When the heel starts to develop bone, there is usually a large area of growth that begins in the middle of the cartilage heel. This area of bone spreads and expands into cartilage. Ossification, another area of bone development happens at the back of the heel bone. The two areas of developing bone will have cartilage between them - this is how the bone grows in size. At about 16 years of age, the growth is nearly complete, these two bony areas merge together.

Symptoms of Heel Pain in the Child:

In severe cases, the child will be limping. The back and side of the heel bone will have discomfort. Also, there may be pain at the bottom of the heel. The pain usually stops when the child is not active and becomes painful with physical activity. Pinching the sides of the heel bone is often painful. Running, jumping make the symptoms worse. One or both heels may be affected.

The Cause:

It is most likely due to repeated trauma that happens in a lot of sporting activities - the cartilage join between the two parts of the bone can not take all the shear stress of the activities. Some children seem to be just more prone to it for an unknown reason - combine this with sport, especially if its on a hard surface and the risk of getting it increases. It can be almost epidemic at the start of some sports seasons, especially winter. At the start of winter, the grounds are often harder, but soften later.

Treatments:

* Minimize physical activities - don't stop, just reduce the amount until symptoms improve.

* Do not go barefoot

* Use a soft cushioned heel raise.

* Stretch the calf muscles provided the stretch does not cause pain.

* Ice the area for 20 minutes after the activity, can be done 2 to 3 times a day.

What your Podiatrist may do:

Strapping or taping can be used during activity to restrict the ankle joint range of motion.

If the symptoms are bad enough and not responding to these treatments, medication to help with anti-inflammatory may be used. In some cases the lower limb may need to be put in a cast for 2-6 weeks to give it a good chance to heal.

Get a good supportive shock absorbing shoe at our Sole Savers Shoe Store and heel raises are important to prevent it from happening again.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR FEET EVERY DAY

TAKE CARE OF YOUR FEET

Check your feet every day for sores, red marks, hot spots, blisters, or any unusual condition that was not there the day before. If you cannot pull your feet up to look at them, use a mirror or have someone else hold it up for you. If you are diabetic, you may not feel a blister or sore until it is too late.

Ulcers are the most harmful problems to your feet. They are the cause of approximately 80,000 amputations of the diabetic feet every year. It is very important to catch an ulcer before it becomes a wound.

If you have an infrared thermometer you can measure the temperature of your feet, by measuring the heat on your feet, you can catch the 4 degree temperature difference before you get an ulcer and know to stay off your feet for a couple of days. No medication or surgery needed.

If you notice any changes on your feet you should call Cortese Foot and Ankle Clinic right away and make an appointment. We are board certified foot and ankle surgeons and specialists. This means we have the qualifications and the experience that you are looking for. We just see foot and ankle injuries. It doesn't matter what age you are, we can treat everyone.

Call if you have any questions or concerns at: (309) 452-3000.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy is a condition in which the nerves in our body are damaged or not working correctly. There are several different types of neuropathies and many different ways to categorize. The type of nerve damage may distinguish different neuropathies, as well as, the cause of the nerve damage, or the pattern of nerve damage.

Approximately 21 million Americans are affected by peripheral neuropathy. Altho

ugh only 30% of neuropathy is caused by diabetes, diabetes still remains the leading cause of peripheral neuropathy. Please note that some form of neuropathies can be fatal.

Peripheral is a term used for the most distal (the nerves in your body, aside from your spinal cord and brain, further down) nerves in our body including those in our feet or hands.

A polyneuropathy is a neuropathy pattern, whereby the nerve damage initially starts in both feet and may progress to involve the feet, calves, and fingers/hands. Another word for this pattern is a Stocking and Glove Neuropathy. Many patients with polyneuropathy may not even have any symptoms; in this case the diagnosis is made by a physical examination or a laboratory test (electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction velocity test (NCV)). Some patients with polyneuropathy have only numbness, “tingling,” and/or “pins and needles.” More often, unlucky patients with polyneuropathy experience some type of pain.

Signs & Symptoms

While every person’s experience with peripheral neuropathy can be as unique as the individual himself or herself, there are some common neuropathy signs and symptoms shared by most individuals. The symptoms of diabetic or peripheral neuropathy start in the toes and feet (right and left). In some patients the symptoms gradually rise up the calves and into the knees. This is called a stocking pattern. Then, in some the symptoms may also begin in the fingers and hands — causing a stocking and glove pattern. It cannot be predicted how any one’s symptoms will spread. In some patients, the pain does not spread beyond the toes or feet and there is no progression; in others, the progression to calves and hands occurs in months, rapidly; and yet in others the spread is very gradual, over many years. There are three categories of nerves and up to five specific peripheral nerves that may be affected, and symptoms depend on these nerves and their location:

Patients who develop pain with peripheral neuropathy describe the pain using a variety of words, including “burning,” “throbbing,” “deep ache”, “raw skin,” “skin sensitivity,” “tingling”, “sharp,” “electric-like,” “pins and needles,” “freezing cold,” “like walking on ground glass,” “itchy,” and others. Some patients say they don’t have pain but have unpleasant and irritating sensations (Allodynia), which may include “itching”, “buzzing,” “like bugs crawling,” “like leather or sand paper”, “hard ball on bottom of feet”, and “aching. Some people feel like they have socks on, even though they are barefoot. Over time, this feeling can spread to the legs and hands.

Patients may find it harder and harder to walk. Their legs feel heavy and they may have to drag them selves up the stairs. Some patients have constant pains, day and night, whereas others only have noticeable pain at bedtime. Often, patients may complain that the pain interferes with their sleep and they may develop Restless Leg Syndrome and or Insomnia (difficulty sleeping). As with all chronic pain, patients with painful peripheral neuropathy may also develop depression. Patients with advanced neuropathy may also have trouble with their sense of positioning; and therefore, have difficulty with their gait or balance.

ALEGRIA SHOES

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Check Your Feet

Your feet are one of the most overlooked body parts when it comes to exercise. As you exercise, pay attention to what your feet are telling you.

Consult your physician before beginning any fitness program. This includes a complete physical and foot exam. This is especially important for those who are overweight, smoke, or haven't had a physical exam in a long time.

Proper fitness requires wearing the right clothes and shoes. Wear loose-fitting, light-colored and loosely woven clothing in hot weather and several layers of warm clothing in cold weather.

The American Podiatric Medical Association stresses the importance of foot care in exercising. People don't realize the tremendous pressure that is put on their feet while exercising. For example, a 150-pound jogger puts more than 150 tons runs of impact on his feet when running three miles.

Improper foot care during exercise is a contributing factor to some of the more than 300 foot ailments, according to the APMA.

The following are common ailments caused by improper foot care during exercise:

• Athlete's foot;
• Blisters;
• Corns and calluses; and
• Heel pain (including heel spurs).

What is a Podiatrist?

What is a podiatrist?

A podiatrist at the Cortese Foot and Ankle Clinic is a foot and ankle surgeon and a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM).Dr.'s Carl, Craig and Veronica are educated and trained to treat and diagnose ailments pertaining to the foot and ankle. Podiatrists are highly qualified foot and ankle specialists who treat foot and ankle conditions based on their experience, training and education.

What qualifications do podiatrists have?

Podiatrists are defined as physicians in most states and by the federal government. Doctors of Podiatric Medicine receive medical education and training equal to medical doctors, including (4) years of undergraduate education, (4) years of graduate education at one of the (8) accredited podiatric medical colleges and two or three years of hospital residency training. All within the realm of podiatry, practitioners can focus on many different specialty areas such as: surgery, sports medicine, bio-mechanics, geriatrics, pediatrics, or orthopedics.

What is Board Certification?

All of Cortese Foot and Ankle Podiatrists are board certified. Certification is considered to be an earned credential for those podiatric physicians who have achieved certain levels of skill and ability based upon completion of specific advanced training and clinical experience and examination. The (ABPOPPM) is the certifying board for the specialty areas of podiatric orthopedics and primary podiatric medicine. The (ABPS) American Board of Podiatric Surgery is the certifying board for the specialty area of foot and ankle surgery.

Call Cortese Foot and Ankle Clinic today to schedule an appointment for your feet and ankles or come by to look at our shoes in the Sole Savers Shoe Store.

(309) 452-3000.

Naot Allure Boots-These Boots are made for walking!!

NAOT ALLURE BOOTS

The Allure is a knee-high boot with a faux buckle wrap around strap. This style has a heel cup for stability, an inside zipper & gore. This style features padded technical lining which provides warmth and absorbs moisture. The Allure has a 13.75" shaft. Naot's anatomic cork & latex footbed is wrapped in pampering suede and molds to the shape of the foot with wear. The Eden Collection features a 2.5" polyurethane sole with a metal shank. Narrow to medium fit.

These boots are soft and pretty,
they are made for women with wider calves
and the lining is very warm but not bulky.
Plus, they are NOT made in China :)

Come take a look at the Allure Naot Boot
at Sole Savers Shoe Store, located inside Cortese Foot and Ankle Clinic. Normal, IL.
(309) 452-3000.
www.cortesefootandankle.com