It’s summertime. Everyone’s in sandals and flip-flops, and there you are in sneakers, day in and day out because of your bunion. Maybe you’re embarrassed, maybe you’re in pain, maybe both. But I’m here with some good news—bunions are treatable, and quite easily so. What Is a Bunion? You know it as that lumpy thing on your big toe, but what is a bunion, exactly? A bunion—also known as a hallux valgus deformity—is a painful, bony bump on the inside of the big toe (also known as the hallux). It
Foot & Ankle
Preventing Plantar Fasciitis With Dr. El-Saheli
Preventing Plantar Fasciitis With Dr. El-Saheli
Preventing Plantar Fasciitis With Dr. El-Saheli Are you experiencing heel pain? If so, it could be plantar fasciitis. While it’s not the only cause of heel pain, plantar fasciitis is the most common cause. Some researchers estimate about 10 percent of people will develop plantar fasciitis in their lifetime. That doesn’t have to be you. Treatment for plantar fasciitis generally leads to good outcomes, with four out of five people reporting no more pain within a year. But, why treat plantar
How to Protect Yourself From Ankle Sprains With Dr. Di Stefano
How to Protect Yourself From Ankle Sprains With Dr. Di Stefano
Ankle sprains are some of the most common injuries in the U.S. A 2016 study published in the journal Sports Health estimates they land people in the emergency room more than one million times every year. Other estimates are even higher: 28,000 per day, according to the National Athletic Trainers Association. Lateral ankle sprains—the kind that happens when you “roll” your ankle on the outside of your foot, also called an inversion—are by far the most common. We know that ankle sprains happen
Get the Facts on Ankle Sprains With Dr. Adam
Get the Facts on Ankle Sprains With Dr. Adam
More than 20,000 ankle sprains occur in the United States every day. A sprained ankle is a very common condition, but an ankle sprain is never just an ankle sprain, even if it’s minor. In fact, pain and difficulty walking are just the beginning; not treating or improperly treating a sprained ankle can lead to chronic pain and disability for years to come. What Is a Sprain? It’s helpful to learn just what a sprain is in order to understand why it’s dangerous and how it’s treated. Sprain is a
Should You See an Orthopedic or Podiatric Foot and Ankle Specialist?
Should You See an Orthopedic or Podiatric Foot and Ankle Specialist?
When you have a problem with your foot or ankle, you have a choice to make: Should you see an orthopedic surgeon with a foot and ankle subspecialty or a podiatric foot and ankle surgeon? Both medical professionals are highly trained and extremely knowledgeable on conditions pertaining to the foot and ankle. Learning more about these specialties can help you make the best decision for your care. What Is Training Like for These Doctors? Orthopedic surgeons obtain either an MD (doctor of
How to Tell If Your Ankle Is Broken or Sprained
How to Tell If Your Ankle Is Broken or Sprained
Your ankle hurts. It might be swollen and tender, and maybe you can't put weight on it. You might have heard a crack or a pop. Maybe you remember a specific injury to the ankle, or maybe it's gotten more painful over a period of weeks or months. Either way, you're pretty sure you've broken your ankle. Or is it sprained? Is there even a difference? Yes, there's a difference between a sprain and a break. Although they have many of the same symptoms, a sprain and a break—its medical term is
