Icy Conditions Cause Falls and Broken Ankles

With the hectic pace of the holidays, serious injuries from ice-related falls inevitably occur. A Chicago foot and ankle surgeon says falls on icy surfaces are a major cause of ankle sprains and fractures, and it’s critical to seek prompt treatment to prevent further damage that can prolong recovery.
Dr. Thomas Carr, DPM, says the ankle joint is vulnerable to serious injury from hard falls on ice.
“Ice accelerates the fall and often causes more severe trauma because the foot can go in any direction after slipping," he says.
Dr. Carr is a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) with office in downtown Chicago. He adds that in cases of less severe fractures and sprains, it’s possible to walk and mistakenly believe the injury doesn’t require medical treatment.
“Never assume the ability to walk means your ankle isn’t broken or badly sprained," he says. "Putting weight on the injured joint can worsen the problem and lead to chronic instability, joint pain and arthritis later in life."
Some people may fracture and sprain an ankle at the same time, and a bad sprain can mask the fracture.
“It’s best to have an injured ankle evaluated as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment,” says Dr. Carr. “If you can’t see a foot and ankle surgeon or visit the emergency room right away, follow the RICE technique – Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation – until medical care is available.”
According to the ACFAS consumer Web site, FootPhysicans.com, even though symptoms of ankle sprains and fractures are similar, fractures are associated with:

• Pain at the site of the fracture that can extend from the foot to the knee


• Significant swelling


• Blisters over the fracture site


• Bruising soon after the injury


• Bone protruding through the skin—a compound fracture, which requires immediate attention!

Most ankle fractures and some sprains are treated by immobilizing the joint in a cast or splint to foster union and healing. However, surgery may be needed to repair fractures with significant malalignment to unite bone fragments and realign them properly.
Dr. Carr said newly designed surgical plates and screws allow repair of these injuries with less surgical trauma.
“With newer bone-fixation methods, there are smaller incisions to minimize tissue damage and bleeding and accelerate the healing process,” he says.
Dr. Carr recommends scheduling an appointment with his office if you have injured your ankle in any way.
“If you fall on an icy spot and hurt your ankle, the best advice is to seek medical attention immediately," he says. "This aids in early diagnosis and proper treatment of the ankle injury and reduces the risk of further damage.”
For further information about ankle fractures and sprains or other foot and ankle problems, contact Dr. Carr at www.chicagopodiatry.com.

Got gout? Holiday season triggers painful toes in Chicago

Got gout? If so, a Chicago foot and ankle surgeon has a recommendation for surviving the holidays: Watch what you eat and drink.
Changes in diet, including overindulging in certain foods and beverages, can cause gout attacks this time of year, says Dr. Thomas Carr. Dr. Carr is a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) with office in Chicago.
Gout attacks are extremely painful. They are caused when uric acid accumulates in the tissues or a joint and crystallizes. This most commonly occurs in the big toe joint. Dr. Carr explains this is because the toe is the coolest part of the body and uric acid is sensitive to temperature changes.
He says foods that are high in purines contribute to uric acid build-up. He recommends that people prone to gout attacks avoid purine-rich items such as shellfish (shrimp, crab, etc.), organ meats (kidney, liver, etc.), red meat, red wine and beer.
Gout can be treated with medications, diet changes, increasing consumption of appropriate fluids, and immobilizing the foot. In some cases surgery is required to remove the uric acid crystals and repair the joint. For more information on gout, visit the ACFAS consumer Web site, FootHealthFacts.org, or contact Dr. Carr’s office at 312-337-9900 or on the web at www.chicagopodiatry.com.

Why High Heels are Bad for Your Health

Watch how Dr. Carr from Chicago Podiatric Surgeons explains in a TV interview the dangers associated with wearing high heels.

 

6 Tips To Protect Kids in Fall Sports

Back-to-school sports season linked to ankle injuries


If your children are playing sports this fall, pay attention to five tips that could protect them from serious ankle injuries.


Every fall, foot and ankle surgeon Thomas Carr, DPM, notices an increase in ankle injuries among young athletes. Football, soccer and basketball are the sports most likely to lead to sprains, broken bones and other problems, he says. Dr. Carr has office in Chicago.


Dr. Carr's top recommendation is for parents is to get ankle injuries treated right away.


"What seems like a sprain is not always a sprain; in addition to cartilage injuries, your son or daughter might have injured other bones in the foot without knowing it. Have a qualified doctor examine the injury," says Dr. Carr. "The sooner rehabilitation starts, the sooner we can prevent long-term problems like instability or arthritis, and the sooner your child can get back into competition."


Dr. Carr says parents should also follow these additional tips from the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons' Web site, FootPhysicians.com:

• Have old sprains checked by a doctor before the season starts. A medical check-up can reveal whether your child's previously injured ankle might be vulnerable to sprains, and could possibly benefit from wearing a supportive ankle brace during competition.



• Buy the right shoe for the sport. Different sports require different shoe gear. Players shouldn't mix baseball cleats with football shoes.



• Children should start the season with new shoes. Old shoes can wear down like a car tire and become uneven on the bottom, causing the ankle to tilt because the foot can't lie flat.



• Check playing fields for dips, divots and holes. Most sports-related ankle sprains are caused by jumping and running on uneven surfaces. That's why some surgeons recommend parents walk the field, especially when children compete in non-professional settings like public parks, for spots that could catch a player's foot and throw them to the ground. Alert coaching officials to any irregularities.



• Encourage stretching and warm-up exercises. Calf stretches and light jogging before competition helps warm up ligaments and blood vessels, reducing the risk for ankle injuries.

Dr. Carr can be contacted at www.chicagopodiatry.com.

Women's Feet Hurt More in Autumn

Autumn is a painful time of year for many women.

As they transition from open-toed sandals to closed-in boots and shoes, foot and ankle surgeon Thomas Carr, DPM, says he notices more women seeking relief for painful bunions. Dr. Carr has office in Chicago. He says this trend plays out in the examining rooms of many foot and ankle surgeons every autumn.

"Some of my female bunion patients are in agony," says Dr. Carr. "They describe a constant, throbbing pain, even when they take their shoes off."

While the changing weather brings more bunion patients into his office, Dr. Carr says some women inquire about surgery in the fall because they're less busy than in summer months. Many are also closer to meeting their insurance deductibles.

Dr. Carr emphasizes that surgery is a last-resort treatment for women with painful bunions.

"For many women, simple changes like wearing shoes with wider toe boxes can significantly reduce bunion pain," he says. "Custom shoe inserts, gel- or foam-filled padding and anti-inflammatory medications may also provide pain relief."

When the pain of a bunion interferes with a woman's daily activities, it's time to discuss surgical options, according to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.


Dr. Carr can be contacted at www.chicagopodiatry.com.

Bunion Surgery Video

A new video has just been posted on our web site. It shows a real bunion surgical procedure.

A bunion is a deviation of the long bone behind the big toe producing a bump on the side of the foot. Bunions can occur on one or both feet. They tend to be hereditary but can occur without a family history. They are not caused by shoes but are often aggravated by shoe gear. Abnormal movement of the joints just below the ankle joint causes the deformity. This results in the front portion of the foot splaying or widening. As a result the big toe starts to drift toward the second toe and the long bone behind the big toe starts to drift outward.

Fall Newsletter

Fall podiatry newsletter has just been posted on our web site. Here are some highlights:

• Start Back-To-School Shopping On The Right Foot
• Orthotics 101: How They Can Help You
• My Feet Are Tingling: Could It Be Neuropathy

You can download it for free directly from www.chicagopodiatry.com .