It is that time of year again to educate our weekend warriors:
DO NOT ignore the signs and symptoms of a tight Achilles tendon or Achilles tendonitis (inflammation of the tendon!!).
This condition affects our patients year round, but basketball season tends to send those weekend athletes into our practices in droves. The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel bone in the back of the leg and when the calf muscles flex, like they do when we run, jump, or stand on our toes, the Achilles tendon pulls on the heel. Tightness of the Achilles tendon puts you at risk of injuring or even rupturing this tendon.
The key to prevent Achilles tendon rupture is implementing a few simple strategies into your playing time. Remember, full time athletes train hard to play hard. We don’t expect you to spend hours in the gym training for a few hours of H-O-R-S-E but we do recommend you put the 10-15 minutes into warming up combined with stretching of the Achilles tendon when it is tight to keep you healthy and active.
Some simple prevention strategies such as frequent stretching of the muscles of the lower leg can protect that tendon and save you from a painful injury. We recommend stretching those lower leg muscles one to three times per day for 15 to 30 seconds. Add in some basic strength training, like calf raises, and you could prevent a painful and lengthy healing process.
At Talar Medical, we are huge fans of The Equinus Brace™ by IQ Medical and find it to be the most effective way to treat and prevent these types of injuries. One easy hour per day of treatment effectively stretches the calf muscle by extending the knee while flexing the ankle upward. The brace allows controlled treatment aligned with the degree of deformity that is gradually corrected over a three month time period preventing over stretching.
Patrick A. DeHeer, DPM inventor of The Equinus Brace™ explains why treating a tight calf muscle, called Equinus deformity, is critical for Achilles tendon conditions. “Equinus deformity is the underlying cause of most biomechanically based lower extremity pathologies and must be treated as part of any comprehensive treatment plan when present."
Podiatric Physicians know how tricky it can be to diagnose and treat a lisfranc sprain and there are a lot of different schools of thought as to the best course of action. What we all agree on, is that it is imperative for our athletes to take this injury seriously and not try to push through it.
For sports fans to better understand what happened to Cam, here is an over view from Dr. Stephen Corey, DPM.
The Lisfranc joint is the point at which the metatarsal bones (long bones leading up to the toes and ball of foot) and the tarsal bones (bones in the arch) connect in the middle of the foot. These two bones are joined by a tough band of tissue, called the Lisfranc ligament which is important for maintaining proper alignment and strength of the joint.
Lisfranc injuries occur when direct or indirect force is applied to the foot. Direct force often involves something heavy falling on the foot. Indirect force commonly involves twisting of the foot.
Lisfranc injuries occur when direct or indirect force is applied to the foot. Direct force often involves something heavy falling on the foot. Indirect force commonly involves twisting of the foot.
There are three types of Lisfranc injuries, a sprain, fracture or dislocation. These types of injuries can sometimes occur together.
Treatment by the foot and ankle surgeon depends on the type and severity of the Lisfranc injury and may include the foot being placed in a cast or cam walker to keep it immobile, crutches are usually used to avoid putting weight on the injured foot. Swelling is reduced by icing the affected area and keeping the foot elevated.
Certain types of Lisfranc injuries require surgery. The foot and ankle surgeon will determine the type of procedure that is best suited to the individual patient. Some injuries of this type may require emergency surgery.
What is consistent with all injuries of this type is that timely treatment and rehabilitation are key to proper healing.
Bottom line to our athletes:
don’t play through the pain!!
It will worsen your outcome and increase the length of time you will spend out of the game!
- Dr. Stephen Corey, DPM.