Importance of Shin Guards

Have you ever been kicked directly in the shin before? It is by no means fun, which is why athletes in high-impact sports are required to wear shin guards. Soccer and football players wear special padding on their shins to protect themselves from scrapes, breaks, and tears. We at Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates believe in safety over anything else when it comes to playing a sport. Of course, winning a game is important, but it doesn’t do your team any good if you need to be taken out of the game due to an injury!

Shin guards are especially important in youth sports. Since the kids are still learning the ropes of their favorite sport, accidents can happen. It’s better to be prepared for a player to miss the soccer ball and kick an opposing player in the shin. With protected shins, it’s not really something a kid has to worry about or feel guilty for if they accidentally kicked someone. In truth, shin guards take away that fear of possibly hurting another player, or getting hurt themselves, so that the kids can focus on playing the game they love.

Your Lorain Podiatrist can help if you have suffered a shin injury while playing a sport. By assessing the severity and starting you on an effective treatment plan, Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates can get you back on the road to recovery. We always recommend preventing these injuries from happening by using the proper safety equipment. 

Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates is located on 1740 Cooper Foster Park Rd, #B, in Lorain, OH 44053. For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, visit integrityfootandankle.com or call 440-282-1221.

 

Big Toe Sprains

Last season, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love suffered a toe injury that prevented him from playing in several games. He reportedly underwent cartilage removal and drainage around the big toe on his left foot while slowly recovering. At Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates in Lorain, we take a special interest in helping athletes get back on their feet. We want our patients to understand why sprains in the big toe are a big deal and how patients can expect us to help.

Unlike the other toes, which have three joints, the big toe has two. The one at its base, the metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP), is a complex structure that includes ligaments on either side to prevent it from dislocating collaterally, as well as tissue below it so it doesn’t bend too far. When the MTP joint does hyperextend and rupture its ligaments, we call that “turf toe.” The patient will experience swelling, bruising, and instability.

Surgery is often not necessary for toe sprains if they are caught early. After implementing RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression, elevation) at the scene of the accident, the next treatments may be anti-inflammatory injections and temporary immobilization. However, if the cartilage was damaged or a sliver of bone chipped off, surgical removal of the deformed tissue may be necessary. If the free-floating bones of the big toe are dislocated or fractured, they will have to be put back into place or the foot won’t heal properly. Injured toes are likelier to become permanently stiff without intervention, which is why patients should always see us if a big toe injury is still painful after three days.

Doctors David J. Hintz and Michael A. Wenowitz run Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates at 1740 Cooper Foster Park Road #B, Lorain, Ohio, 44053. To schedule an appointment, visit Integrity Foot and Ankle or call 440-282-1221.

Risks of a Twisted Ankle

Cleveland baseball fans may have been concerned this week when Mike Clevinger twisted his ankle. The pitcher fell down on Monday and is reportedly recovering from what team doctors determined was a minor injury. Baseball players are particularly vulnerable to twisted ankles. As podiatrists who are particularly interested in serving athletes, we at Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates in Lorain want our patients to understand the importance of having ankle injuries assessed.

An ankle sprain is what occurs when a person stretches or tears one of the ankle’s many ligaments by pulling too hard on the outside of the foot. About half of these types of injuries occur during athletic activity. The word “strain” is used to describe tears to muscles and tendons, while “fractures” are small cracks in bones. When tendons are torn, they may trigger the immune system’s inflammatory response, which is described as “tendonitis.” Elevating the foot will help swelling go down faster.

When injuries are mild, they can likely heal on their own and our concern is to provide the patient with pain relief and ensure they are rehabilitated successfully. The ankle will be weak and tender, and the patient may need anti-inflammatory injections or oral medications. But a large break may require surgery and a carefully monitored program of stretching and strength building. Patients with more severe injuries will be fitted for a customized brace to wear when not doing physical therapy. A minor injury is less likely to lead to chronic ankle instability if we are able to intervene quickly, but people who have suffered sprained ankles in the past are at greater risk for repeats. Patients can prevent relapses by wearing properly fitted shoes that are in good condition, keeping their toenails short, and by maintaining the strength of their ankle muscles.

Doctors David J. Hintz and Michael A. Wenowitz run Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates at 1740 Cooper Foster Park Road #B, Lorain, Ohio, 44053. To schedule an appointment, visit Integrity Foot and Ankle or call 440-282-1221.