No matter what sport you are following this time of year, odds are good that you are going to see a few athletes using tape to support their feet and ankles.  Recently, Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls caused a stir over the use of ankle taping after he felt that the tape on his ankles hindered his ability to play to his full capabilities.  Tape can be very beneficial for a wide variety of conditions in the foot and ankle in both athletes and non-athletes if done correctly. 

While Derrick Rose suffered an ankle sprain last year during the playoffs, he was lucky enough to not miss any games due to the injury.  This year he has not been so fortunate with his ankle injury and has been forced to miss playing time.  Rose is right to take care of this injury because many ankle sprains can progress to cause chronic ankle instability requiring surgical treatment to fully cure, even when they are properly cared for.  When the ligaments that stabilize the movements of the bones in and around the ankle joint become damaged, unnatural or excessive movement of the bones can result.  These abnormal movements can give the feeling of the ankle “giving out”, and can be painful.  Another condition called peroneal subluxation can contribute to chronic lateral ankle instability.  The tendons of the muscles peroneus brevis and peroneus longus run along the outside of the foot near the ligaments that are commonly damaged in ankle sprains.  If the tendons become irritated a tendonitis can result.  Peroneal subluxation can also occur if the fibrous structure that normally keeps the tendons on their course becomes damaged.  This allows the tendons to move out of place and causing a “snapping” sensation on the side of the foot. 

If these conditions of ankle instability are not painful, they can be treated with conservative methods such as taping or bracing to help maintain the stability of the ankle and prevent further damage to the foot and ankle.  When diagnosed with lateral ankle instability, your podiatrist may offer to tape your foot and ankle to provide some relief immediately until a more structured brace can be ordered or ankle surgery can be performed.    

While taping may not have been Rose’s favorite treatment option for his ankle injury, many people find taping to be a great option, either temporarily or to be used as needed, for conditions of the foot and ankle.  Other conditions that may gain some relief from orthopedic taping in addition to or before the use of surgery, physical therapy or custom orthotics include:  Achilles tendonitis, heel pain, posterior tibial tendonitis, and overpronation.

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 Worthington. If you would like to see apodiatrist in Dublin, Ohio near Tuttle Crossing, call 614-885-3338 for an appointment.

By Dr. Animesh (Andy) Bhatia

After Chef Paula Deen finally announced her diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus that she had been hiding for two years this past week, there has been an outcry from people across Columbus and the country.  Deen promoted to everyone who watched her cooking shows the exact lifestyle that leads to the development of type 2 diabetes.  Now, if Deen and fans of her cooking who also have type 2 Diabetes don’t change their ways, many severe complications of diabetes, including foot amputation are likely to be the next course. 

Type 2 diabetes typically develops later in life and as a result of an underlying genetic defect involving the beta cells of the pancreas that causes them to produce insufficient amounts of insulin, along with a resistance of other tissues to the minimal insulin that is secreted.  Three major risk factors for diabetes development that Paula Deen possessed are being over age 50, obesity and a family history of diabetes.  While age and family history are uncontrollable, obesity and overeating are easily modifiable with a little effort.  Lifestyle modifications to reduce obesity and thus the risk for diabetes type 2 can include exercising, dieting, and reducing fat intake.  These simple lifestyle modifications have been shown to prevent or delay type 2 in about 60% of people at risk.  In severely obese patients, gastric bypass surgery has even been shown to reverse the diagnosis of diabetes. 

Foot problems represent a major complication in diabetic patients, with 25% of hospital stays for diabetic patients being foot related.  The neuropathy, or nerve disease that occurs in diabetes affects the longest nerves first; which is why loss of sensation commonly begins in the feet.  Aside from losing sensation completely, patients may experience painful tingling or burning in their feet and legs especially when sitting or resting.  With loss of innervation can also come motor weakness and wasting away of the muscles in the feet.  The combination of motor and sensory loss can lead to ulcers, infections of those ulcers, and Charcot foot.  All three of these conditions are debilitating and need to be examined and treated by your podiatrist.  Preventing ulcers and their subsequent infection can mean saving not only the leg from amputation, but also the patient’s life. 

For Paula Deen and others with type 2, it is important to  remember that they can greatly improve their condition and possibly even reverse it by cutting back on the butter and sweet cream, developing a regular exercise plan, and regularly self-examining their feet as they go

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. If you would like to see a podiatrist in Dublin, Ohio near Tuttle Crossing, call 614-885-3338 for an appointment.

By Dr. Animesh (Andy) Bhatia

The time of year is fast approaching when only the most dedicated of fans will brave the cold weather to attend Buckeye’s football games.  Staying warm at the games or any outdoor activities this winter. As snowfall becomes more frequent, it is not only a matter of spectating comfort, but also a matter of safety. 

The damage that is incurred by your body depends on exactly what Mother Nature is doing and how long you will be exposed to the elements.  When it is damp along with the cold, individuals become more at risk for developing what is called pernio syndrome or acute chilblains.  In most cases, skin that is poorly protected or in contact with wet clothing will become red and slightly inflamed with intense itching and burning.  Extreme heat over 85 degrees Fahrenheit and itching or scratching should be avoided and the area should clear in less than two weeks. If the skin is repeatedly exposed to such conditions, chilblains may become chronic with the red inflamed area becoming a more serious ulcer type of lesion. 

Frostbite is a more commonly heard of cold injury that is more serious than chilblains and occurs with extreme cold exposure, even without wetness.  Unlike in chilblains, the tissues making up the area of exposure in frostbite actually freeze with ice crystals developing in or around the cells.  As with many cold injuries, the feet are commonly affected as blood is shunted towards the core to keep many vital organs warmed to a temperature that allows them to keep functioning properly.  Frostbite is extremely important to stop before permanent tissue damage occurs that can lead to amputation.  If the foot still has sensation, displays pinks skin when it is warmed and has no blisters or blisters with clear fluid this typically indicates that you should still contact your podiatrist but your foot should still be able to make a return to good health. 

Individuals with pre-existing peripheral vascular disease such as venous stasis or atherosclerosis are more susceptible to developing a cold injury and need to take extra care to keep extremities protected.  Everyone should be sure to keep feet warm and dry when braving the elements in order to stay healthy and be able to keep cheering on the Buckeyes!

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

During October, pink ribbons and Susan G Komen “Race for the Cures” serve as a reminder of the importance of awareness and prevention in the fight against breast cancer.  Even at the Columbus marathon last weekend, there was a group called “Team Komen” running to raise money towards breast cancer research.  While women supporting this cause are out running races to help save lives, they also may find out the hard way that there are many foot and ankle ailments that tend to be more common in females than in males. 

While many studies have been done demonstrating the harm that women inflict on their feet  by wearing high heels, there are also differences bone and tissue structure that make women more susceptible to various foot and ankle problems.  Studies have found that women may have less cartilage in some of the joints in their foot and ankle.  This decreased cartilage may play a role in the development of osteoarthritis, which results from normal wear and tear of the joints over time.  Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints that is known for causing a crippling of the hands, but also commonly affects the feet.  This disease also more commonly affects women than men.  By visiting a podiatrist, women with both of these types of arthritis may be able to find pain relief and improved foot and ankle function with the use of orthotics or possibly surgery. 

Females are more likely to develop osteoporosis than males.  Osteoporosis is a loss of bone density that is abnormal and unhealthy for a person’s age and gender.  This loss of bone density means that your bones are weaker and can be damaged more easily.  A stress fracture in the foot can be one of the first indicators of osteoporosis.  In a healthy bone, a stress fracture would typically only occur in situations of repetitive force being applied to the bone, such as in long distance running or marching for extended periods of time.  Being aware of this increased bone loss can allow for women to protect their bones with preventative measures including getting adequate nutrition with calcium and vitamin D in their diets. 

Women have been shown to suffer from bunions and hammertoes more frequently than men.  Along with their natural foot structure, wearing inappropriately fitting shoes may contribute to this problem.  It is important to remember that high heels and shoes that are too small not only cause pain in your feet, but contribute to pain in yours knees and back.  For the month of October, women helping out in the fight against breast cancer should also remember to help their feet out by taking care of them with good fitting shoes, a good diet and seeing their podiatrist at the first sign of problems!!

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 Worthington. If you would like to see a podiatrist in Dublin, Ohio near Tuttle Crossing, call 614-885-3338 for an appointment.

By Dr. Animesh (Andy) Bhatia

While Katy Perry was in Columbus at the Schottenstein Arena on September 13, one of her original opening acts, up and coming pop star Jessie J was unable to perform that night and for most of the tour.  In June, Jessie had jumped off a stage while dancing during rehearsals and badly hurt her foot.  Now, in recent interviews, Jessie has been describing the story of her injury and how she now feels it will cause her painful arthritis for the rest of her life.  Jessie and anyone else who has suffered a traumatic ankle injury need to know their treatment options to avoid or cope with possible arthritis in the future. 

After her injury, Jessie was initially diagnosed with a ligament injury of the ankle.  Unfortunately it was not diagnosed until later that she had also fractured 4 bones in her foot and ankle.  While ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries that dancers can encounter, it is also important that the individual be evaluated by x-ray or other radiographic imaging for bony injury if have symptoms of tenderness when they press on bone or are unable to stand on only the injured foot.  Chronic lateral ankle pain, or pain on the outside of the ankle, can result from both ligament or bone damage to the ankle, but bone fractures can also lead to arthritis of the ankle.  While arthritis in the knee or hip common result from wear and tear over time, the most common cause of arthritis of the ankle is a previous traumatic injury. 

The missed diagnosis of broken bones has led to a more severe situation for Jessie’s ankle.  Because Jessie’s fractures were not diagnosed until later, the broken bone pieces were allowed to continue moving in an unstable manner in her foot as she continued to bear some weight on them in a brace for the ligament injury.  Without proper blood supply or biomechanical stability, bone pieces cannot realign and unite.  This is called a non-union and when it occurs as it likely did with Jessie a graft of bone material must be surgically placed in the foot to promote union and healing of the bones.  After this “bone transplant” as Jessie has been referring to it, she now complains of chronic pain in her ankle and a possible future of painful arthritis.  Because she cannot turn back time and get her foot promptly diagnosed correctly to have possibly avoided the non-healing of her bones, Jessie and all foot and ankle arthritis suffers should talk to their podiatrist about their options to reach a much less painful state.  Physical therapy may be an initial step to healing and regaining motion in the joint after surgery.  There are also other surgical options to help an arthritic joint function less painfully and thus with better motion, including a fusion of the bones that make up the joint or a total joint replacement.  For active individuals such as Jessie, studies have shown that in arthritic patients who received a total ankle replacement were able to greatly increase their sports activity from their previous arthritic state. 

Luckily for Jessie J her diagnosis was eventually caught and she will hopefully look into future treatments to alleviate some of the pain of her current condition and possible arthritis!  

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