Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril has not been participating in team workouts since he suffered an injury to his plantar fascia five week ago.
Coach Pete Carroll said last week that Avril was progressing in his recovery and would start running again the end of last week. He said Avril won't be able to participate in team practices for "another couple weeks at least."
When asked if Avril's injury was serious, Carroll replied, "Well, it hurts. You could ask him about it. The plantar fascia thing is a real uncomfortable thing. You just have to wait it out. It's something that you can come back from. It's not a problem. But you just have to wait it out. He's real anxious to go, and he's doing very well in his rehab. And he runs some this week for the first time. So it will take another couple weeks at least."
Avril signed a two year $15 million contract with the Seahawks this offseason after playing five seasons with the Detroit Lions. Avril had 9.5 sacks last season and was signed this season with Michael Bennett to boost their pass rush and provide insurance for defensive end Chris Clemons, who tore his ACL in the team's playoff victory against the Washington Redskins.
Participating in the OTAs is not a necessity for veterans like Avril. It is likely he will also be held out the rest of the offseason, including next month's minicamp.
Reference: Pro Football Talk
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Joakim Noah Looking To Avoid Surgery
Joakim Noah tried rest (well, what he called rest- we saw him on the court a lot more than he probably
should have been) to calm his plantar fasciitis, but that didn't seem to work.
With the Chicago Bulls now eliminated from the NBA playoffs, it's now a question if more rest and rehabilitation is what he needs. Should Noah have surgery for his plantar fasciitis?
According to the Chicago Sun Times, both Noah and the Bulls would prefer Noah avoid surgery. "That hasn't been determined," said head coach Tom Thibideau. "Obviously we'd like to avoid the surgery. He has responded a lot better. He has found something that has worked. We want him to get completely healthy. That will be the focus, getting him back to 100 percent. He needs some rest, as most of the guys do. Same thing with Luol Deng. We have to get him completely healthy again. Those are two players that we'll be on top of right away."
Surgery for plantar fasciitis is for the cases that are the worst of the worst. This is not a treatment course we recommend for the average case, as conservative treatment usually clears up the condition. If you visit a podiatrist and they recommend surgery as their first course of treatment, you need to get a second opinion. Most cases clear up with conservative treatment.
Noah may indeed be one of those cases that truly needs surgery, but we have to wonder if he has dedicated enough time to resting and following conservative treatment. Now that he won't be pounding the floor several times a week, and wearing those horrid, unsupportive shoes he wears when playing, perhaps he has a chance of healing on his own. But what he needs to do is stay off the court, stretch, ice, find a better basketball shoe, and make getting better his priority.
Reference: Slam Online
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.
With the Chicago Bulls now eliminated from the NBA playoffs, it's now a question if more rest and rehabilitation is what he needs. Should Noah have surgery for his plantar fasciitis?
According to the Chicago Sun Times, both Noah and the Bulls would prefer Noah avoid surgery. "That hasn't been determined," said head coach Tom Thibideau. "Obviously we'd like to avoid the surgery. He has responded a lot better. He has found something that has worked. We want him to get completely healthy. That will be the focus, getting him back to 100 percent. He needs some rest, as most of the guys do. Same thing with Luol Deng. We have to get him completely healthy again. Those are two players that we'll be on top of right away."
Surgery for plantar fasciitis is for the cases that are the worst of the worst. This is not a treatment course we recommend for the average case, as conservative treatment usually clears up the condition. If you visit a podiatrist and they recommend surgery as their first course of treatment, you need to get a second opinion. Most cases clear up with conservative treatment.
Noah may indeed be one of those cases that truly needs surgery, but we have to wonder if he has dedicated enough time to resting and following conservative treatment. Now that he won't be pounding the floor several times a week, and wearing those horrid, unsupportive shoes he wears when playing, perhaps he has a chance of healing on his own. But what he needs to do is stay off the court, stretch, ice, find a better basketball shoe, and make getting better his priority.
Reference: Slam Online
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Is Heel Pain An Epidemic?
We treat a lot of heel pain in our four offices, and it's obviously a diverse enough topic for us to dedicate an entire, weekly blog to it.
But is heel pain an epidemic? Diabetes is certainly an epidemic, but heel pain?
Past president of the American Podiatric Medical Association Michael King, who practices in Fall Rivers, Massachusetts, argues that it is, saying that he "sees 18 to 20 patients a day with plantar fasciitis. Heel pain is epidemic." As for a number of how many people who have this condition he can only guess. "Some people just tolerate the pain and try to get by."
Think about it: if you've had heel pain in the past, how have you dealt with it? Have you immediately made an appointment with a podiatrist, or have you said to yourself, "Well, I'll wait and see if this gets better. It's not that bad right now."?
We've blogged a lot lately about athletes who have had multiple, recurrent cases of plantar fasciitis and heel pain. Joakim Noah has been in and out of basketball, Pau Gasol tried to ignore it and he ended up tearing his plantar fascia, and Albert Pujols has been suffering for seven years. Seven years!!!
What frustrates podiatrists most about heel pain and plantar fasciitis is that it can be completely preventable when you take care of your feet and see a doctor right away. Who really wants to wake up in the morning and not be able to get out of bed because they can't move their feet?
One of the culprits of heel pain is the flip-flop, the podiatrist's nemesis. "Flip-flops seem to be a major source of foot pain. People walk into the office wearing shoes that they should have replaced months ago," says podiatrist Elizabeth Kurtz, who practices in Chicago.
King sees it too. "I see a lot of people with pain in the fall because they've been wearing cheap flip-flops all summer," he says.
Heel pain doesn't just affect those who don't wear proper footwear. Runners and walkers are often hit with heel pain if they've recently increased their mileage or pace. It also appears in middle-aged people who live sedentary lives and have a little extra weight.
If you've tried over the counter products, you'll find that they only provide temporary relief. Some will purchase heel cushions to try to ease the pain, but the source of the pain isn't actually from the heel- it's from the arch. Orthotics, whether over the counter or custom made by a podiatrist, will be the best fix for your heel pain, as they will ease the pain.
When looking to recover from heel pain, remember that it's going to take longer than a week. The damage that created the pain took longer than a week to develop, so it will likely take several weeks up to several months. Don't go barefoot and don't wear flimsy shoes, especially flip-flops. Our Bristol office offers shockwave therapy, which can reduce the inflammation and pain. Traditionally shockwave therapy has been used to break up kidney stones.
Reference: LA Times.
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.
But is heel pain an epidemic? Diabetes is certainly an epidemic, but heel pain?
Past president of the American Podiatric Medical Association Michael King, who practices in Fall Rivers, Massachusetts, argues that it is, saying that he "sees 18 to 20 patients a day with plantar fasciitis. Heel pain is epidemic." As for a number of how many people who have this condition he can only guess. "Some people just tolerate the pain and try to get by."
Think about it: if you've had heel pain in the past, how have you dealt with it? Have you immediately made an appointment with a podiatrist, or have you said to yourself, "Well, I'll wait and see if this gets better. It's not that bad right now."?
We've blogged a lot lately about athletes who have had multiple, recurrent cases of plantar fasciitis and heel pain. Joakim Noah has been in and out of basketball, Pau Gasol tried to ignore it and he ended up tearing his plantar fascia, and Albert Pujols has been suffering for seven years. Seven years!!!
What frustrates podiatrists most about heel pain and plantar fasciitis is that it can be completely preventable when you take care of your feet and see a doctor right away. Who really wants to wake up in the morning and not be able to get out of bed because they can't move their feet?
One of the culprits of heel pain is the flip-flop, the podiatrist's nemesis. "Flip-flops seem to be a major source of foot pain. People walk into the office wearing shoes that they should have replaced months ago," says podiatrist Elizabeth Kurtz, who practices in Chicago.
King sees it too. "I see a lot of people with pain in the fall because they've been wearing cheap flip-flops all summer," he says.
Heel pain doesn't just affect those who don't wear proper footwear. Runners and walkers are often hit with heel pain if they've recently increased their mileage or pace. It also appears in middle-aged people who live sedentary lives and have a little extra weight.
If you've tried over the counter products, you'll find that they only provide temporary relief. Some will purchase heel cushions to try to ease the pain, but the source of the pain isn't actually from the heel- it's from the arch. Orthotics, whether over the counter or custom made by a podiatrist, will be the best fix for your heel pain, as they will ease the pain.
When looking to recover from heel pain, remember that it's going to take longer than a week. The damage that created the pain took longer than a week to develop, so it will likely take several weeks up to several months. Don't go barefoot and don't wear flimsy shoes, especially flip-flops. Our Bristol office offers shockwave therapy, which can reduce the inflammation and pain. Traditionally shockwave therapy has been used to break up kidney stones.
Reference: LA Times.
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Natural Supplements For Heel Pain
Heel pain can be a very difficult thing to experience and you may not be interesting in having a cortisone injection or take ibuprofen. There are several natural remedies you can take which may help the pain and inflammation you're feeling from heel pain.
An effective, natural anti-inflammatory supplement to try is bromelain, which is an enzyme derived from fresh pineapples. You can't find this enzyme in canned pineapple, since it has been cooked and therefore destroyed. When you take it on an empty stomach, it goes right into the blood stream to treat your inflamed tissues.
Sometimes when people eat fresh pineapple, they'll notice that their tongue gets red, and they'll think they're having an allergic reaction. However, this is typically not the case. Bromelain works very quickly, often dissolving right away in your mouth, and your mouth and tongue can become irritated when the protective barrier is dissolved.
Another option for pain relief is glucosamine sulfate. Glucosamine is a popular supplement often recommended for those who have joint or arthritic pain. The heel is wrapped in connective tissue, and glucosamine works by giving your body the raw materials it needs to repair the damage tissues. It is also a great anti-inflammatory.
Topical pain relievers can be great as well at treating your symptoms, like Boswellin cream, which has natural pain relieving herbs that soak in and relieve pain faster than taking something orally. Many people feel relief within minutes.
Hot linseed oil packs work best when they are heated. Once the oil is hot, saturate a cloth in the oil and apply the cloth to your affected heel. If could also place a heating pad over the cloth to keep it warm.
When you are taking a bath, consider adding some arnica and chamomile, both herbal remedies thought to be very healing.
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.
An effective, natural anti-inflammatory supplement to try is bromelain, which is an enzyme derived from fresh pineapples. You can't find this enzyme in canned pineapple, since it has been cooked and therefore destroyed. When you take it on an empty stomach, it goes right into the blood stream to treat your inflamed tissues.
Sometimes when people eat fresh pineapple, they'll notice that their tongue gets red, and they'll think they're having an allergic reaction. However, this is typically not the case. Bromelain works very quickly, often dissolving right away in your mouth, and your mouth and tongue can become irritated when the protective barrier is dissolved.
Another option for pain relief is glucosamine sulfate. Glucosamine is a popular supplement often recommended for those who have joint or arthritic pain. The heel is wrapped in connective tissue, and glucosamine works by giving your body the raw materials it needs to repair the damage tissues. It is also a great anti-inflammatory.
Topical pain relievers can be great as well at treating your symptoms, like Boswellin cream, which has natural pain relieving herbs that soak in and relieve pain faster than taking something orally. Many people feel relief within minutes.
Hot linseed oil packs work best when they are heated. Once the oil is hot, saturate a cloth in the oil and apply the cloth to your affected heel. If could also place a heating pad over the cloth to keep it warm.
When you are taking a bath, consider adding some arnica and chamomile, both herbal remedies thought to be very healing.
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Plantar Fascia Rupture
You're running, playing your favorite sport, or simply going up the stairs at your house, when suddenly you feel a snap in your heel, followed by intense pain. Ouch! The pain is so severe that you head to the emergency room, where they tell you you have a ruptured, or torn plantar fascia and refer you to a podiatrist for further treatment.
Your plantar fascia stretches from your heel bone to your big toe and is the largest ligament in your foot. When you hear someone say, "I have plantar fasciitis and it really hurts!", they're talking about inflammation of the plantar fascia.
Ruptures of the plantar fascia are not common injuries, but they are often seen in conjunction with someone who has plantar fasciitis. Someone with plantar fasciitis will sometimes have small tears in the ligament which can progress to complete tears when there is too much stress. That's why when we're doing movements that are quick or sudden, our plantar fascia can rupture.
Sometimes when you have a plantar fascia tear, you may not even feel the tear. You may notice that your foot is swollen, particularly near your heel, and have extreme pain, which is more severe in the morning than the rest of the day. The pain may ebb when resting.
To know if you have a plantar fascia tear or just plantar fasciitis, the difference is typically that pain with a tear is extreme in the morning, and while it lessens during the day, it never goes away. In plantar fasciitis, the pain will usually go away throughout the day. You will also feel localized pain on the bottom of your foot. Pain that travels elsewhere is likely not a plantar fascia tear.
The causes for a plantar fascia tear are excessive strain and overuse. When we experience weight gain, are obese, wear worn out shoes, or exercise too vigorously, or have inherent arch issues, we are prone to plantar fascia problems.
Your podiatrist will recommend icing to reduce swelling and inflammation and anti-inflammatory medications to ease your pain. Some will tape your plantar fascia to provide stability and recommend custom orthotics to correct arch issues. Severe cases of a plantar fascia rupture will require cortisone shots or surgery to repair the tendon.
Reference: eHow
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.
Your plantar fascia stretches from your heel bone to your big toe and is the largest ligament in your foot. When you hear someone say, "I have plantar fasciitis and it really hurts!", they're talking about inflammation of the plantar fascia.
Ruptures of the plantar fascia are not common injuries, but they are often seen in conjunction with someone who has plantar fasciitis. Someone with plantar fasciitis will sometimes have small tears in the ligament which can progress to complete tears when there is too much stress. That's why when we're doing movements that are quick or sudden, our plantar fascia can rupture.
Sometimes when you have a plantar fascia tear, you may not even feel the tear. You may notice that your foot is swollen, particularly near your heel, and have extreme pain, which is more severe in the morning than the rest of the day. The pain may ebb when resting.
To know if you have a plantar fascia tear or just plantar fasciitis, the difference is typically that pain with a tear is extreme in the morning, and while it lessens during the day, it never goes away. In plantar fasciitis, the pain will usually go away throughout the day. You will also feel localized pain on the bottom of your foot. Pain that travels elsewhere is likely not a plantar fascia tear.
The causes for a plantar fascia tear are excessive strain and overuse. When we experience weight gain, are obese, wear worn out shoes, or exercise too vigorously, or have inherent arch issues, we are prone to plantar fascia problems.
Your podiatrist will recommend icing to reduce swelling and inflammation and anti-inflammatory medications to ease your pain. Some will tape your plantar fascia to provide stability and recommend custom orthotics to correct arch issues. Severe cases of a plantar fascia rupture will require cortisone shots or surgery to repair the tendon.
Reference: eHow
If you are experiencing heel pain, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Heel Pain Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, follow my tweets on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook.
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