Although 2011 was not the year for an Ohio student to take home the win at the National Geographic World Championships, the event was  certainly very exciting for all students participating from around the globe.  The championships were made even more interesting this year when host Alex Trebek of Jeopardy hosting fame limped in to the set with a torn Achilles and a wild story of how he sustained the injury.  

At 2:30 a.m. the previous night, a woman broke into Trebek’s hotel room and supposedly attempted to steal $650 and a bracelet of Trebek’s that his mother had given him.  What happened next would deter anyone from messing with the game show host’s belongings again! Trebek awoke to his door being open and immediately began to chase the burglar!  Although the thief was eventually caught and charged with burglary, Trebek unfortunately ruptured or ripped his Achilles tendon in the heat of the chase. 

The Achilles tendon is the largest and also the most commonly ruptured tendon in the body.  The Achilles connects your calf muscles to the back of your heel and is crucial for normal walking and almost every other athletic activity.  Overuse of the calf muscles, a sudden increase in physical activity especially after a period of rest or inappropriate shoe gear can lead to Achilles tendonitis or a ruptured Achilles.  Serious Achilles tendonitis can occur for an extended period of time leaving the tendon irritated and making a rupture more likely.  With tendinitis, the heel pain comes and goes or may be chronically located in the same spot, pain is often noted during or a few hours after athletic activities, and ankle stiffness will decrease as the tendon warms up during use.  These symptoms and onset are different from the ruptured Achilles that Trebek suffered which is a more acute injury, resulting in the tendon quickly being severed.  The onset of severe heel pain is more immediate with a substantial amount of swelling often being present.  Trebek’s rupture likely occurred due to his sudden change from inactivity of the leg muscles while sleeping to a full out sprint trying to catch the thief. 

Because the Achilles is such an important tendon in the body, it is important to talk to your podiatrist about how to keep it healthy.  Many people have stiff calf muscles that lack flexibility and can increase the likelihood of Achilles injury.  When the calves are too tight, the foot is unable to lift off enough to clear the ground during normal walking and the feet are forced to use other means to compensate.  One of the ways of compensating is by overpronating, which can lead to a group of other foot problems including the development of flat feet.  Regular stretching is one way to increase flexibility and care for your Achilles. 

Trebek has now undergone Achilles surgery to repair his tear and hopefully will not have to chase down any criminals any time soon while he recovers!

Please visit www.columbusfoot.com for more information or call 614-885 FEET (3338) to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus Podiatry & Surgery is located on the North side of Columbus, Ohio near Westerville. To schedule an appointment with a podiatrist in Dublin, Ohio, near Tuttle Crossing Mall, please call 614-885-FEET (3338).

By Dr. Animesh (Andy) Bhatia

Heel pain is most often caused by plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the long, dense band of connective tissue (the plantar fascia) that runs from the heel to the ball of the foot.

Repeated strain on the plantar fascia can cause tiny tears in the ligament. As tension and tearing increases, so does inflammation and irritation of the affected area. Risk factors of plantar fasciitis include foot arch problems (flat foot and high arches); excess weight; running; and a tight Achilles tendon.
The most common complaint of plantar fasciitis is pain in the bottom of the heel that develops gradually. The pain is usually worse in the morning and after sitting or standing for a long period of time. For some, the pain subsides after walking or stretching.
To reduce pain associated with plantar fasciitis:

• Rest. Limit and/or avoid activities that make your heel hurt.
• Ice. Reduce pain and swelling by icing the affected area each day.
• Stretch. Stretch your heel throughout the day, especially when you first wake up in the morning.
• Footwear modifications. Wear shoes that provide good arch support and a cushioned sole. Ask your podiatrist about pads and shoe inserts to relieve your heel pain.

When conservative treatments aren't effective or your pain persists for more than a few weeks, schedule an appointment with a podiatrist at Columbus Podiatry & Surgery to discuss your symptoms and treatment options. A podiatrist can recommend an appropriate treatment plan for your individual needs. This may include, stretching exercises, shoe padding, orthotic devices, night splints or therapy. Most patients respond to non-surgical treatments, but for pain that won't go away, surgery may be considered.

With proper rest and treatment, recovering from plantar fasciitis can take just a few months. Visit Columbus Podiatry & Surgery on the North side of Columbus, Ohio in between Worthington, Westerville and Powell when you first experience pain for a proper diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan for your individual needs.

Please visit www.columbusfoot.com for more information or call 614-885 FEET (3338) to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus Podiatry & Surgery is located on the North side of Columbus, Ohio in between Westerville, Worthington and Powell.

By Dr. Animesh (Andy) Bhatia

The arch structure of our feet determines how we walk, which means our arches need to be both sturdy and flexible in order to adjust to different walking surfaces. For most people, their feet have a curve or an arch at the bottom that provides flexibility and shock absorption. But for the five percent of Adults in the U.S. with flat feet, also known as fallen arches, the arches of their feet are either partially or completely collapsed.

One common type of flatfoot is adult-acquired flatfoot. It is caused by overstretching the tendon that supports the arch. Flexible flatfoot is also common and occurs when the foot is flat when standing, but returns to a normal arch in non-weight-bearing positions.

Factors than increase your risk of flat feet include:

• Excess weight
• Age
• Injury to your foot or ankle
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Pregnancy

When to See Your Columbus Podiatrist

Most adults with a fallen arch experience little to no pain. For these patients, treatment is rarely necessary. A painful flatfoot, however, may be the sign of a congenital abnormality or an injury to the muscles and tendons of the foot. Pain can be severe, making it difficult to walk, wear shoes and perform simple every day tasks. More than achy feet, flatfoot can also lead to other, more serious problems and pain for your ankles, knees, back and hips.

Common symptoms associated with flat feet include:

• Swelling along the inside of the ankle
• Feet that tire easily or ache after standing for an extended period of time
• A lack of mobility in your foot and difficulty standing on your toes
• Sore, swollen feet; especially in the heel or arch of your foot

Steps Away from Flatfoot Pain Relief

If you are experiencing pain caused by flatfoot, visit Columbus Podiatry & Surgery for an evaluation. We can identify the cause of your pain and recommend the best treatments for your type of arch.

Talk with your podiatrist about the following treatment options:

• Shoe inserts/ Orthotics
• Shoe modifications
• Rest and ice
• Stretching exercises
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
• Surgery

Whether you were born with flat feet or you acquired fallen arches over time, if your flat feet are causing you pain or interfering with your day to day activities, visit Columbus Podiatry & Surgery. We can work with you to determine the best treatment options to eliminate the pain, improve your mobility and get you back to the activities you love.

Please visit www.columbusfoot.com for more information or call 614-885 FEET (3338) to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus Podiatry & Surgery is located on the North side of Columbus, Ohio in between Westerville, Worthington and Powell.

By Dr. Animesh (Andy) Bhatia

Treating an array of problems of the foot and ankle at Columbus Podiatry & Surgery, we put the best of technology to work in diagnosing many biomechanical injuries and abnormalities that cause pain and discomfort when walking or running.

After extensive research and new advances in podiatric technology, there are now faster and more accurate ways to asses a patient's feet and administer the most appropriate treatment. In fact, many foot problems can be treated most effectively by addressing their mechanical function, and at Columbus Podiatry & Surgery, we offer our new Computerized Gait Analysis technology that helps us identify biomechanical faults faster and more accurately than ever.

Assessing Your Gait

Our Computerized Gait Analysis is an advanced method used to assess the way an individual walks or runs to highlight biomechanical abnormalities. While many of these common problems are treatable with modern medicine, assessing motion, and more specifically how you walk, has always been limited until the recent development of the Computerized Gait Analysis.

The Procedure

A Computerized Gait Analysis uses pressure mapping technology to identify pressure points in the feet as a patient walks or runs. Dr. Animesh Bhatia and Dr. Sarah Newby can observe and analyze the way an individual moves, looking in particular at the feet, ankles, knees and hips to determine the problem. This can then be relayed to a computer screen where slow motion and freeze frames can be used to carefully assess your running or walking style. By assessing the condition in the actual environment that causes that particular problem, we can actually identify what is happening while you walk and give you the best treatment for your condition based on this data.

By analyzing the mechanics of a patient's stance, postural alignment, and flexibility of the hips and back, recommendations can be made for orthotics, shoe modifications or a course of physical therapy designed to strengthen core muscles. Many times, with the right treatment, surgery can be avoided, thus diminishing the recovery time from a variety of injuries or disorders. With the new foot pressure measurement technology, our Columbus office can identify foot abnormalities more accurately than ever before.

Please visit www.columbusfoot.com for more information or call 614-885 FEET (3338) to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus Podiatry & Surgery is located on the North side of Columbus, Ohio in between Westerville, Worthington and Powell.

By Dr. Animesh (Andy) Bhatia

Whether you are an existing patient or searching for a podiatrist in the Columbus area, we're excited you are here. With the podiatry industry advancing, we recognize the importance of keeping our patients and visitors up to date with all of the new and exciting things taking place in our practice.

As we move forward with our blog, we hope to promote podiatric awareness as a vital part of your healthy, active lifestyle.Here you will find a variety of articles and topics including the latest developments in podiatry, podiatric treatments and helpful foot care advice from Dr. Bhatia and his staff.

We hope you find our blog to be helpful, engaging and informational to ensure the long-term health of your feet.

As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.

By Dr. Animesh (Andy) Bhatia