BE WELL

from SIMPLYkc Magazine June 2022

DISH

IT’S ALL ABOUT PUTTING

YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD

WRITTEN BY DAVID MARKS

You don’t have to be an athlete or even a “weekend warrior” to turn your ankle and hurt it. Something as simple as walking on an uneven surface can cause a painful or even debilitating sprain.

The truth is, our feet and ankles are complex structures—much more complicated than we may think. The feet are made up of 26 different bones and more than 33 joints, arranged in columns and arches that vary in both stiffness and flexibility.

Keep in mind, they have to support our full body weight and cushion all the impact of walking, running, and jumping. So it isn’t too surprising that foot and ankle injuries happen frequently. In fact, around one in five people will suffer from foot and ankle injuries in their lifetime.

“Symptoms of a foot or ankle injury include more significant pain, increasing swelling, or difficulty with bearing weight,” says Nathan J. Kiewiet, MD, orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon at AdventHealth.

Still, if the cause of the pain isn’t obvious, it may not be easy to know if it’s necessary to see a doctor or specialist. “If someone is experiencing continued pain and/or swelling that doesn’t improve, inability to bear weight and weakness, then they shouldn’t just try treating the problem at home,” explains John Bleazard, DO, orthopedic surgeon at AdventHealth.

Left untreated, foot and ankle injuries can have an effect in other parts of the foot. Pain can mean that weight cannot be put through the foot, which can actually change the shape and mechanics of the joint.

“Acute injuries can include fractures or breaks of the foot or ankle, foot and ankle sprains, and tendon injuries such as Achilles ruptures,” says Dr. Kiewiet.

“Arthritis is a common chronic condition that can require treatment by foot and ankle specialists, along with bunions, flat feet, and toe deformities,” says Dr. Bleazard.

In the United States alone, more than 56 million people have arthritis or suffer from similar conditions that affect the joints. Arthritis in the ankle can lead to pain, swelling, and instability in the ankle joint.

Fortunately, there is a lot of advanced medical technology available to help physicians determine the extent of a foot or ankle injury, including:

• CT scans, which provide a detailed

picture of the joint structure • Ultrasounds, which can show ligaments and tendons from different viewing angles • X-rays, to determine if any bones are broken

• MRIs, which provide images of the softer tissues like ligaments in the foot and ankle.

When surgery isn’t necessary, patients often benefit from treatments including physical therapy, rehabilitation, and/or medicine.

“Conservative treatments for foot and ankle problems include antiinflammatories like ibuprofen, inserts for shoes or braces, physical therapy, and injections,” says Dr. Kiewiet.

Of course, it’s important to do anything you can to prevent foot and ankle injuries from happening in the first place. For example, you should always warm up before any sports activity, avoid walking or running on uneven surfaces, and choose athletic shoes specifically for your foot type.

“If you’re someone who hasn’t done a lot of exercise or physical activity recently, it’s important to start slow and work up to a goal,” says Dr. Bleazard.

Most of all, it’s important to listen to your body. If you experience foot and ankle pain during a sport, stop the activity or modify the activity until the pain subsides. Your pain condition or injury should first be brought to the attention of your primary care doctor, who can determine if you should be referred to an orthopedic specialist.

For more information, visit AdventHealthKC.com, or to find the right primary care doctor, visit MyHealthKC.com.

Plantar Fasciitis

One of the most common foot and ankle injuries in adults is plantar fasciitis. It occurs when the fascia band of tissue in the arch of the foot becomes inflamed, causing sharp pain in the heel of the foot. Some cases of plantar fasciitis can be resolved simply with rest, ice, and stretching, while others will require anti-inflammatory medication and wearing a heel pad before finding relief. If you’re suffering from this condition, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common orthopedic foot problems in adults. If you have heel pain, talk to your primary care provider.