Introduction to Gout

Among the many forms of arthritis, one of the most painful is gout. This condition can affect any joint, but is usually seen in the first joint of a big toe. An attack may only last for twelve hours, but they often recur. At Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates in Lorain, we can help people control their symptoms, but they’ll need to make some lifestyle changes to lower their risk of future attacks.

The body contains substances called purines that, when broken down, produce uric acid. Normally, uric acid is filtered through the kidneys, but when the kidneys are overwhelmed or underperforming, uric acid will form sharp crystals. Those crystals tend to accumulate in the lower parts of the body and can cause gouty inflammation.

Gout can be controlled with injectible or orally consumed anti-inflammatory medications. These include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids. If a person has chronic gout attacks, they may also be prescribed drugs that affect uric acid levels. The people most at risk for gout are middle-aged men who smoke or are overweight. People may reduce their risk of gout by avoiding red meat and seafood, which are high in purines, as well as sugary drinks, which increase uric acid.

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.

 

Morton's Neuroma

If you have pain in the front of your foot, you may have a condition called Morton’s neuroma. This ailment is usually responsive to conservative treatment, but it can get worse without intervention and needs to be properly identified, so we at Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates in Lorain thought it would be a good idea to teach our patients more about it.

A neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue. It creates pressure on the surrounding tissues and causes numbness or a sharp pain. Morton’s neuroma is the name of a neuroma that develops between the third and fourth toe. It is often described as feeling like a person has a stone in their shoe and tends to develop in people who wear shoes that slide their feet forward into narrow toe boxes. Partly for this reason, it is more common in women, but it also occurs frequently in runners of both sexes.

Morton’s neuroma is identified through imaging, tactile, and range of motion examinations. To treat it, podiatrists recommend roomier, more supportive shoes with customized orthotics. Patients may also receive anti-inflammatory injections. Most people find this sufficient, but in advanced cases, surgical reduction of the neuroma is an option. We will also treat co-occurring disorders such as bunions.

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.

 

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Earlier this year, Cleveland Cavaliers center Ante Zizic’s season debut was delayed for a few weeks due to plantar fasciitis in his left foot. This kind of injury is common in older people as well as athletes, and can cause a person a lot of pain and difficulty moving. We at Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates in Lorain frequently treat it, so we want patients to understand what they can expect when they seek help.

The plantar fascia is a shock-absorbing band of connective tissue that runs the length of the bottom of the foot, right under the skin. It stretches tightly under the heel bone, and when it becomes inflamed due to wear-and-tear or an acute injury, a sharp pain in the heel is a common result. The pain is usually worse after the foot has been at rest. It is most common in people between forty and sixty, and people are at particularly high risk if they have tight calf muscles, heel spurs, or are overweight. The impacts from running can also contribute to it.

Treatment for plantar fasciitis starts off converativeley, with therapeutic exercises to loosen the calves and toes. Patients may be given injections of anti-inflammatory medications and shoe orthotics to compensate for their heel’s loss of cushioning. Surgical options to release the fascia may be considered if the patient shows no improvement after several months, and the bone spur may also be removed.

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.

 

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.

 

Jumper’s Knee

Patellar tendonitis, also known as “Jumper’s Knee,” is often suffered by volleyball or tennis players. As the nickname suggests, sports that involve a lot of jumping can cause microscopic tears and degeneration of a player’s knees. We at Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates take pride in educating our athletic patients about the many ways they can prevent injury. Your Lorain Podiatrist can help if you suffer from Jumper’s Knee by assessing the severity and starting you on an effective treatment plan. It’s best, however, to practice prevention now so that you can keep playing the sport you love!

An athlete can prevent Jumper’s Knee by wearing a knee brace during practices and games. A knee brace assists in stabilizing the joint, supporting the kneecap, and offers the knee added strength. This all decreases the amount of strain the knee goes through to withstand a player’s weight as they land on their feet from a serving position.

You can also prevent Jumper’s Knee by:

- Taking breaks

- Practicing and improving your technique

- Making sure you have all the right gear

- Warming up your body with stretches

- Incorporating strength-building exercises in your routine

- Not playing through the pain, as this will only worsen your condition

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.

 

Stress Fractures

Are you a soccer or basketball player? Did you know that stress fractures are common in sports with constant running? The repetitive activity can cause a small crack or bruise on the bone. Stress fractures can also occur when someone changes their activity, such as running on a treadmill to running outdoors. We at Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates realize that things happen, no matter how much you prepare your body for physical activity. We are dedicated to treating your sports injury as quickly as we can, so that you can get back on the court. 

The sudden increase or change in physical activity are causes of stress fractures and include poor conditioning, improper technique, change in surface, and using improper equipment. Certain medications and pre-existing conditions can make individuals more susceptible to stress fractures, such as the bone insufficiency that comes with osteoporosis. Stress fractures are also more common during the winter, since the body is deprived of the sun’s vitamin D. 

Prevention is key. You can help prevent the development of stress fractures by:

- Cross-training in different types of exercise

- Adding strength training to your workout routine

- Gradually increasing the time and intensity of a new activity

- Using the proper equipment

- Stopping all activity if a recently healed injury flares up

- Eating a balanced and healthy diet

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.

 

Prevent Running Injuries

Prevent any possibility of injuring yourself during training, so that you can still run that marathon you’ve been planning! We at Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates understand that even with efficient training, accidents happen. We are here for you when or if those accidents do happen, so that we can get you back to doing what you love. 

One way to prevent running injuries is to train smarter. You need to prioritize safety over anything else, which includes proper equipment utilization and performing exercises correctly. Before any major physical activity, you need to also warm-up your muscles and ligaments. It’s important to prepare your body for physical activity, as this is a proven way to limit your chances of injury. Improving your strength can also decrease the risk of running injuries. Many runners lack the skills for basic movement and functional strength. Working on core exercises, such as the plank, can significantly help with this!

Some common running injuries include:

- Arch pain: Inflammation and a burning sensation under the arch of the foot.

- Shin splints: Associated with any pain in the bone between the knee and ankle.

- Pulled hamstring: An injury to the hamstring muscle that causes mild to severe pain.

- Hip stress fracture: Common in long-distance runners because of repetitive motion in the hips. 

- Plantar fasciitis: Pain in the heel caused by inflammation of the ligament in the base of the foot.

- Achilles tendonitis: Pain in the back of the ankle that left untreated can rupture.

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.