The public health of our entire world has been in a state of frenzy as of late due to the new found virus known as Covid-19. Covid-19 is a new strand of Coronavirus that currently does not have a vaccine or proven treatment. Infection and subsequent death rates have been increasing in different countries around the world. In some countries, like Italy, the death rate has been growing exponentially to the point of healthcare exhaustion. Other countries, like France and Germany, have been combatting the situation by placing themselves in a nationwide lockdown. 

Panic has long since reached the United States with top officials canceling and banning mass gatherings. The NBA, MLB, and many other professional sports have already suspended their season. Companies and schools have dismissed their employees and students respectively. Here at Foot and Ankle Doctors, Inc., located in Beverly Hills, California, we worry about the safety of our patients and community too. 

World renowned infectious disease and public health physician, Dr. Tom Frieden, reviews important Covid-19 details that we believe everyone should know. We recommend our patients review his words of advice in this article here. Aside from knowing the symptoms of the disease (dry cough and fever), we recommend understanding the disease’s route of transmission as well. Detailed information on how to avoid contracting the new Coronavirus can be found here. The most important thing to know is to boost sanitation efforts such as washing your hands thoroughly and to avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.

Our office remains open to our patients, although we urge everyone to stay home if they are experiencing any signs of illness whatsoever. Social distancing is critical at this time in order to mitigate the pandemic crisis. Though if you are without flu or cold-like symptoms and would like medical care and attention for your feet or ankles, then please visit us in our office. You can make an appointment by calling 1-310-652-3668. We are a comprehensive Podiatry Group in Southern California who can readily treat all foot and ankle conditions. 

Star athlete of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, Clint Capela, remains out of commission, and will stay so through out the All Star break. Reports state that Clint Capela has been suffering from Plantar Fasciitis.

Plantar Fasciitis is known as inflammation to the plantar fascia, a ligament in the foot, mostly in areas of the heel. Quite commonly, it is linked to heel pain, especially pain that is most apparent with the first step of the day. It may or may not be associated with nerve pain, specifically referencing impingement of the Baxter’s Nerve.

Plantar Fasciitis must be treated both in short and long term measures. Short term treatment is aimed towards alleviating the immediate pain. Conservative treatment would be to rest, ice and stretch. Oral medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories can be considered in treatment if needed. Long term treatment requires proper orthotics to support and protect the correct architecture of the foot. Sometimes, immediate relief of pain can be achieved with a cortisone injection into the heel. These options are best left to be made with a medical professional.

If you are suffering from plantar fasciitis or any type of heel pain, please call us at 1-310-652-3668 to schedule an appointment today. We are located in Beverly Hills, California but welcome anyone of any location. We are a comprehensive Podiatry Group in Southern California who can readily treat all foot and ankle conditions.

Sad to report that David Nwaba of the Brooklyn Nets suffered an Achilles tendon injury this previous Thursday. Although this injury is in no way a contagious condition, one can’t help but link David Nwaba’s injury to Brooklyn Nets’ other player, Kevin Durant. Although David Nwaba was showing that he could play extremely well when given time on the court, he is now out for the rest of the season. Recovery for an Achilles tendon injury is roughly nine months to one year. This timeline means that David Nwaba likely won’t play until late this year in 2020. Brooklyn Nets is reported to likely part ways with David Nwaba to clear space for the roster.

As expected, David Nwaba underwent surgery to repair his Achilles tendon. Someone of his health, age, and athletic condition is recommended for such treatment. Following surgery, he will follow extensive physical therapy to guide his Achilles tendon towards proper recovery. The Achilles tendon is a complex ligament located in the back of the ankle and helps us in a large variety of movements. As per our usual well-wishing, we hope David Nwaba recovers smoothly. May the Brooklyn Nets avoid another Achilles injury for the rest of this season.

For anyone experiencing Achilles tendon pain or problems, please call us at 1-310-652-3668 to schedule a visit today. Located in Beverly Hills, California, we are a comprehensive podiatric medical group that can cater to all of your lower extremity needs. Anyone in the Southern California area is welcome in our office. Please come visit, and Happy New Year!

In today’s sports medicine news, our attention is brought to the Portland Trail Blazers. Unfortunately, our news today is of Portland’s trail being torched by injury. We love to follow and support the health of our NBA players and regret to hear about Rodney Hood rupturing his Achilles tendon in Friday’s game between the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Lakers. While we were certainly rooting for our hometown heroes, the Los Angeles Lakers, we still wish no ill will towards any of our opponents. 

In the athletic clash between the Lakers and Trail Blazers on Friday, Rodney Hood went up for a rebound and came down landing on his left foot with his toes pulled up and towards his shins. This position of the lower extremity places his Achilles tendon in maximum tension. The sudden load from the quickness of his jump with the full weight of his body upon landing ultimately tested the integrity of his Achilles to a misfortunate conclusion. 

From our extensive experience, we know that given Rodney Hood’s age and athletic ability, he will likely undergo surgery as soon as possible so that he can begin his long road through rehabilitation to recovery. This is truly the best advice coming from yours truly, the largest and most comprehensive Podiatry group in Beverly Hills, California. 

We hope that Rodney Hood’s Achilles injury has been tended to properly thus far. For anyone experiencing Achilles tendon pain or problems, please call us at 1-310-652-3668 to schedule a visit today. Please continue to enjoy your Holiday Season!

“Duke freshman Cassius Stanley is out indefinitely after suffering what coach Mike Krzyzewski called a muscular injury in his left leg during a victory over Winthrop on Friday night.” – ESPN reports.

We’ve been talking a lot about professional sports here at Foot & Ankle Doctors, Inc., though please know we care about everyone. From professional to intercollegiate to regular members in our community all around– we want the best foot and ankle health for all.

Hearing about Cassius Stanley’s injury worries us a muscular injury can vary in severity depending on its location and degree. Let’s not forget ex- Golden State Warrior, now Brooklyn Net’s Kevin Durant’s leg injury that turned into a complete Achilles tendon rupture.

A proper medical analysis complete with physical examination and anatomical imaging is warranted to properly assess Duke’s Cassius Stanley leg injury.

For persons in the Southern California area, specifically in Los Angeles, we open our office doors to all with problems regarding the foot and ankle. Podiatry is our world. Our highly trained physicians practice in assessment, conservative and surgical treatment of all ailments that pertain to the lower extremity. If you are looking for a Podiatrist in the Beverly Hills/Los Angeles area, please call us at 1-310-652-3668 to be seen today! Thank you, and we wish everyone a lovely holiday season. 

In our previous blog post, we promised that we would follow Cam Newton’s Lisfranc injury closely. I am back to report that Mr. Cam Newton will not be getting surgery for his injury.

Cam Newton is the star quarterback of the Carolina Panthers. Cam Newton led the Carolina Panthers to compete in the NFL Super Bowl 50. Cam Newton’s talents have recently been sidelined after hurting his foot during practice. A thorough medical examination concluded that Cam Newton suffered from a Lisfranc injury, which means an injury to the ligaments and bones in the mid-region of his foot. 

Reports say that Cam Newton has not shown any progress in healing, thus sought a second opinion. However, despite his wishes for a speedy recovery, Cam Newton still does not have an expected return date. His second medical workup had advised him against surgical treatment. 

Here at Foot & Ankle Doctors, inc., we hope Mr. Cam Newton is receiving proper instructions on conservative treatment for his foot injury. Lisfranc injuries are complex given that they involve multiple bones, ligaments, and joints. Physical therapy must be performed carefully to avoid overstressing the injury. 

If you happen to be suffering from a Lisfranc injury, or any foot ailment, give us a call at 1-310-652-3668 to schedule an appointment today. As highly trained podiatrists in Los Angeles, California, we are greatly experienced in treating a variety of sports injuries. You can count on us to be your Fix-All Foot-Docs!

NFL star quarterback, Cam Newton, of the Carolina Panthers recently explained why he will be sidelined for weeks to come via public video. Well before the Panther’s game against Los Angeles Rams, in the preseason, Cam Newton discovered that he had difficulty running due to pain in his left foot.

It was later diagnosed as a Lisfranc injury, meaning damage to the bones or ligaments of the midfoot region. A Lisfranc injury is a special and well-known condition in podiatry named after the French surgeon and gynecologist, Jacques Lisfranc de St. Martin. The coining of this injury is an interesting story for another day.

A Lisfranc injury can easily be mistaken for a simple strain, causing it to be treated incorrectly. Since it is an injury that can include multiple joints and bones, it has a more complex treatment plan that might involve surgery and take up to months to heal. The complexity of the injury and treatment will depend on the number of joints involved.

Despite the number of joint inclusion, all Lisfranc injuries show cartilage damage to the midfoot. Cartilage is a component of the body that helps protect bones in movement. Deterioration of cartilage will lead to bone damage. This explains why untreated or improperly treated Lisfranc injuries can lead to arthritis of the foot.

Medical professionals treating Cam Newton must fully be aware of these details, thus Cam Newton’s inactivity in recent NFL games is a necessity to the longevity of his career. 

Most Lisfranc injuries occur in a low-impact setting and can be as simple as a twist or stumble. More severe Lisfranc injuries occur from direct trauma to the area or fall from height. 

Symptoms are parallel to that of a sprain, which includes: swelling, pain, and bruising. However, if standard treatment for a sprain (such as icing and elevation) does not reduce the pain or swelling, it is best to seek professional care. 

For more information or medical advice regarding a potential Lisfranc injury, give us a call at 1-310-652-3668 today to schedule an appointment. Podiatrists are well trained in this specific category of injury, so give us a call if you are in the Beverly Hills, Los Angeles area.

Best of luck to Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers! We will be following your injury closely.

 

In the whirlwind news of professional sports, the latest buzz circles around NFL wide receiver, Antonio Brown. Once a promising aspect for your fantasy football draft, Antonio Brown now renders himself a dramatic liability. 

What is the deal with Antonio Brown anyway? Why the drama at all?

Getting into fights with his general manager, refusing to wear the sanctioned helmets, and harming his own feet? The headlines involving Antonio Brown has indeed been bizarre.

As podiatrists keen on helping today’s relevant population, our attention immediately zoomed into Antonio Brown when we first heard about his cryotherapy accident that left his feet to look like this… (Warning: Image may gross you out.) 

The story was that Antonio Brown was noncompliant in wearing the proper protection for his feet, ultimately causing his superficial dermal layers to die via frostbite. Essentially, this injury was self-inflicted.

Many people these days look into cryotherapy as a procedure to physiologically improve their bodies from injuries or various muscular ailments. While it has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat any diagnosis, it has been theorized to affect the circulation in our bodies. Its properties are similar to the effects of icing a recent injury.

In podiatry, we often instruct patients to ice areas of inflammation to reduce the swelling and propel the healing. However, we always emphasize that it is important to never directly apply the ice to the skin. Had Antonio Brown been our patient, we would’ve instructed him clearly on these matters.

Well, such is life and football! Seeing as how Antonio Brown has been released from the Oakland Raiders and is now in contract with the Patriots of New England, we’ll continue to observe his well being by watching his performance on the field.

Should you have any questions on how to maintain healthy and strong feet, feel free to give us a call at 1-310-652-3668 today. We are the largest Podiatry group located in Beverly Hills, CA. We would love to help in any way that we can whenever we can!

Here in our office, we pride ourselves in good patient care, thus proper follow-ups are always a must. With that being said, I feel it is important that we check in with our guy, Mr. Kevin Durant. 

If you have not heard already, he has decided to sign onto the Brooklyn Nets with Kyrie Irving for a shot at the NBA Championship title on their terms. Although much more can be said on the trades, our primary focus is actually on Kevin Durant’s Achilles injury.

As shared before, Kevin Durant suffered an Achilles tear during an intense NBA finals series against the Toronto Raptors. Durant went on to get surgery for this injury. We are pleased to hear that his recovery is going well! However, Kevin Durant is expected to miss this upcoming year’s pre-season, regular season, and maybe even postseason. 

This does not come as a surprise given that it generally takes 9 to 12 months to recover from an Achilles injury–with physical therapy being a crucial component of the process.

Achilles tendon repair surgery comes with risks and physical therapy can help reduce these post-surgery complications. First, it is important to review the risks:

• Infection at the incision site
• Average complications of surgery and anesthesia
• Possible nerve damage
• Future re-rupture of the tendon
• Loss or reduced tendon strength
• Reduced range of motion in plantar flexion of the ankle

The first 3 in this list of risks are minimized with proper surgical technique, which I assure you, is employed with confidence by our surgeons at Foot & Ankle Doctors. The later 3 risks are minimized by adequate follow up physical therapy.

Thinking of Kevin Durant, we imagine and hope his physical therapy to consist of activities such as deep massages, ultrasound heat therapy, stretching and strengthening exercises. We hope that Kevin Durant’s medical professionals are concentrating on aiding his healing with activities that might help increase his blood flow in the lower leg, without overstressing the muscles and tendon. 

We’re sure that he’s being taken care of and there are people to answer all of his anxious questions along the road to recovery. Though if you might have any more questions of your own, try giving our office a call at 1-310-652-3668 to schedule an appointment. We’d be happy to help you!

Just got back from a family vacation where we got to stay at the fabulous, four-star, Hilton Hotel. It had this amazing pool built like a tropical paradise. As someone who particularly loves water sports, I went swimming every day. Needless to say, I thought my vacation was fantastic. It wasn’t until I got home that I noticed something ajar. My feet were exceptionally dry. 

This is a true story, everyone! The soles of my feet looked terrible, particular my heels. It was cracked and scaling. No amount of lotion, cream, or even petroleum jelly could appease my symptoms. Luckily, I study podiatry. I knew that there might be a hidden culprit behind all this who goes by the alias… tinea pedis.

I thought to myself that I must expose this tinea pedis for what it really is to the general public who might not be aware. Thus, listen closely as I tell you how to spot tinea pedis and stop it dead in its tracks.

Tinea pedis can also go by its street name, Athlete’s Foot. It is an infection of the foot by a fungus of the genus, Trichophyton. It is a Trich-y fungus that normally causes a scaly rash which can be itchy, stinging, or burning. The rash tends to start in the toes. Some forms of severe Athlete’s Foot can go on to cause blisters or ulcers. Other forms of athlete’s foot can simply cause dryness and scaling on the soles of the feet that extends slightly up the sides of the feet (such is the case of my situation). This later form of Athlete’s Foot can often be mistaken for eczema or dry skin, but can’t be cured unless the fungus is treated.

The worst part about tinea pedis is that it is contagious. It can spread from one area of the body to another, or from person to person. Damp socks or shoes can exacerbate the condition. The fungal organism likes to grow under humid conditions. This means that if you tend to have sweaty feet, then you are more prone to the infection. Environments like locker rooms, public showers, or even swimming pools (gasp!) are common breeding grounds for the infection as well. 

It is best to see a doctor should you find suspicious skin symptoms on your feet. Call us at 1-310-652-3668 to schedule an appointment today if you think tinea pedis has affected you. A proper diagnosis can lead to the appropriate treatment that will get rid of your symptoms more effectively. In the meantime, have a nice day and keep those feet dry and clean!