Sever's Disease

Heel pain is never normal, even in children. Many people write this off as “growing pains,” which can be true, but each case should be individually examined. One of the most common causes of heel pain in young growing athletes is Sever’s disease. This is an overuse and repetitive injury to the growth plates in the calcaneus, or the heel bone. The calcaneus is one of the first body parts to fully mature and this happens around early puberty. When this happens, bone is growing faster than muscles or the tendons that hold the muscles to the bone. This causes the muscles to become tight.

Symptoms of Sever’s Disease can include a painful or tender heel, discomfort when the heel is squeezed, the young athlete limps, or the pain can is more severe during the sport. This is directly related to the overuse of bone and tendons in the heel. This may show itself at the beginning of the season, and may be more common in those children that are overweight, as well as those who over-pronate.

Your podiatrist will recommend R.I.C.E (rest, ice, compression, elevation) for the initial pain. Upon examination, they will look at the child’s gait and possibly an x-ray to make sure no other fracture is responsible for the heel pain. Orthoses may be recommended to prevent the over-pronation. The disease can be self-recovering, meaning it will go away when the bone finishes growing. In the meanwhile the condition could recur until then. However your podiatrist take a look so they can ease the symptoms as your child grows. And remember, for this and any other foot condition your child may have, let Dr. Grimm and Dr. Pattison of Foot Associates of Central Texas take a look.

Orthotics 101: How They Can Help You

Orthotics are custom molded devices which are designed specifically for your feet and then placed in your shoes. They are intended to correct abnormal foot biomechanics. They
perform functions that make standing, walking, and running more comfortable and efficient by altering the angles at which the foot strikes a walking or running surface. Doctors of podiatric
medicine prescribe orthotics as a conservative approach to many foot problems or as a method of control after certain types of foot surgery; their use is a highly successful, practical
form of treatment.

Orthotics take various forms and are constructed of various materials. They fall into three broad categories: those that primarily attempt to change foot function, those that are primarily
protective in nature, and those that combine functional control and protection. Orthotics can be categorized as rigid, semi-rigid, and soft. The so-called rigid orthotic device, designed to control
function, may be made of a firm material such as plastic orcarbon fiber and is used primarily for walking or dress shoes. It is generally fabricated from a plaster mold of the individual
foot. The finished device normally extends along the sole from the heel to the ball or toes of the foot. It is worn mostly in closed shoes with a heel height under two inches. The semi-rigid orthotic provides for dynamic balance of the foot while walking or participating in sports. Each sport has its own demands and each sport orthotic needs to be constructed appropriately with the specific sport and athlete in mind. This functional dynamic orthotic helps guide the foot
through proper functions, allowing the muscles and tendons to perform more efficiently. The classic, reinforced with more rigid materials. The soft orthotic device helps to absorb shock, increase balance, and take pressure off uncomfortable or sore spots. It is usually constructed of soft, compressible materials, and may be molded by the action of the foot in walking or fashioned over a plaster impression of the foot. This orthotic usually extends from the heel past the ball of the foot to include the toes. The advantage of any soft orthotic device is that it may be easily
adjusted to changing weight-bearing forces. The disadvantage is that it must be periodically replaced or refurbished.

Various other orthotics may be used for multidirectional sports or edge-control sports by casting the foot within the ski boot, ice skate boot, or inline skate boot. Combinations of semi-flexible material and soft material to accommodate painful areas are utilized for specific problems. Only a licensed health care professional can diagnose and prescribe medical treatments, including orthotics. There are some outstanding over-the-counter products which your podiatrist may recommend as an interim treatment, but remember that you will want the advice of your podiatrist before buying these devices from a retail store, since wearing the wrong type of insert can be detrimental to feet, especially for people with diabetes or arthritis.

Plantar Fasciitis Sacks NY Giants Quarterback

During their recent defeat of the Kansas City Chiefs, NY Giants quarterback Eli Manning experienced symptoms of what was later diagnosed as plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is inflammation along a band of connective tissue that runs along the sole of the foot. Luckily for the Giants, he can return to play concurrently with treatment as long as he is able to tolerate the pain. In general, when athletes experience any set back due to injury, the first question that pops into mind is: How much downtime will I need?
Plantar fasciitis is a condition that has either an acute or gradual onset depending on the cause. Microscopic tears to the plantar fascia may occur abruptly from planting the foot awkwardly while pivoting, or over time from running and walking without ample stretching. A falling of the medial arch due to age, weight gain, unsupportive shoes, and excessive pronation while running may also be contributing factors. The microscopic tears in the fascia may display no symptoms at first, but as they increase in number the plantar fascia becomes inflamed as your body attempts to repair it. One of the most common symptoms is a sharp pain felt first thing in the morning where the bottom of the heel meets the mid-foot. The pain typically subsides to a dull ache throughout the day, and it is often aggravated at the start of a run, while standing long periods of time, and walking in shoes with little to no arch support.
Conservative treatment of plantar fasciitis involves icing, stretching, anti-inflammatory medications, and wearing night splints. Over-the-counter arch supports or custom-made orthotics may be necessary as well. Rolling the foot on a can of frozen juice following activity provides relief for some by stretching and icing the fascia. Always ensure that aggressive stretching (performed with the aid of a towel or resistance band) is done before icing to prevent a severe tear. Taping methods that increase arch support provide temporary relief for athletes; however, early symptoms of plantar fasciitis should not be ignored. When treated close to its initial onset, you can often continue activity with minimal downtime. Though if left untreated, it may progress to the point where steroid injections and more rest are needed. If squeezing your heel simultaneously from side-to-side causes you to jump out of your chair, it’s a good sign that you’ve been sacked with plantar fasciitis. Come on in, and we’ll get you back on your feet before halftime!