ShearBan: Great to Reduce Friction at the Bottom of the Foot

When trying to eliminate friction from the bottom of the foot, especially in cases of ulcerations, scars, calluses, and sore points, ShearBan and Engo are 2 great products. Here I am using ShearBan, with 1/8th plastazote or memory foam, with an accommodative pad to reduce both the vertical load and the shearing load (friction) on a developing ulcer. This patient has already had toes amputated from PAD, or peripheral arterial disease, and any developing sore must be protected as well as possible. 

1/8th inch Memory foam (plastazote) from JMS Plastics to replace the shoe insert to reduce the vertical load on the sore area.

The developing sore, which has not yet ulcerated, is marked with Wet and Wild Lipstick

The shoe insert is placed into the shoe, and then the foot with the lipstick, is carefully placed. The patient is asked to walk a few feet. The first mark is always from the foot getting into the shoe, with the mark closest to the toes being where the sore is located.

A small piece of ShearBan is placed on this area on the top surface of the memory foam in direct contact with the sore area. You want to reduce the shearing force in as small area as possible since you do not want the foot sliding too much in the shoe. 

Here 1/16 inch neolon, also from JMS Plastics, is placed on the bottom surface of the pad to off weight the sore. 

Here the 2 glued sided are joined accomplishing the off weight bearing. So, with the above treatment, this shoe insert has reduced vertical load, reducing friction or the shearing force, and off weighted the sore area. One of these functions should help prevent pain and further loss of limb. 

Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction: A Useful Brace to help in the Rehabilitation

Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction is a devastating problem. The earlier you start to support the ankle as the arch begins to collapse inward, the better. Most ankle braces tend to pronate the arch, definitely holding it in the wrong direction in an effort to stablize post ankle sprain. Recently, one of my patients saw an orthopedist who recommended this brace. I have never seen it before, but was impressed. I am not totally sure of the success of the air bag, but the basic design of the brace will work to fight against the arch collapse and inward collapse of the ankle. If we combine this brace with supportive orthotics, varus or medial shoe or insert wedging, stable shoes, an anti-inflammatory program, and of utmost importance a gradual strengthening program, then the patient may have a fighting chance. 

http://www.betterbraces.com/aircast-airlift-pttd-brace?mr:trackingCode=02C84769-100F-E111-804A-A8C6AF702B72&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&gclid=CLG46oCxn7MCFY9_Qgodr18Atw

Here is a reminder video of the posterior tibial tendon strengthening exercises.

Since you need to get out of the brace at times, or if the brace is not a good fit for you, posterior tibial tendon taping is still a great option. It takes a good 10 times with any taping technique to learn the right tension to put on the tape and the right variation that works for you.

Here are a photo from my patient showing the air bag placed in the arch. Since many posterior tibial tendon dysfunction patients have significant arch pain, this may or may not cushion the interface between the brace and the shoe or orthotic device.

The Aircast AirLift PTTD Brace has a airbag for under the arch. I am showing the medial side (arch side) of the foot. The main strap of the brace was pulled forward to show the air bag, but will pull up on the arch. The brace is taller than a standard ankle brace, and you are in control how much to inflate the bag and how much tension you put on the strap. Standing next to the brace is my orthotic device. This device by itself made her arch too sore and even though it controlled the pronation motion and protected the foot, it could not be made comfortable. The combination of brace and orthotic is working well right now.

--

Designing Orthotic Devices from Afar

Hello,

I am  21 years old and i live in Egypt. I suffer from flat feet and i wanted to ask if i can custom a special steel orthotic matches my feet size, and if there are any other types of workout to help curing it.

thank you,

Dr Blake's response:

 I would be happy to work with you. I do not work with Steel but have found 3/16 inch (4.7 mm) polypropylene work great and gives some spring to the arch. The best is to buy a Biofoam box and try to make an impression of your feet. Then mail the box to Dr Rich Blake, 900 Hyde Street, San Francisco, Calif, 94109, and I will try to make something. It will take 2 -3 tries due to the long distance, but based on the feedback you give me on the first set, we should be able to figure out where to make changes. The link to buy the box is below. Probably sending me a video of you walking back and forth in a 15 foot area will give me better idea what you need. Rich Hope it works. 

http://www.mooremedical.com/Index.cfm?Ntk=all&No=0&Search=Search&Ns=Searchorder%7C0%7C&Ntx=mode+matchpartialmax&Ntt=Biofoam&x=48&y=11

Also, it is extremely important to do daily foot and ankle strengthening exercises. Never exercise through pain, but you should be able to gradually strengthen your flat feet. Here is a video to get you started. Rich

The Start of the New Basketball Season: Dr Blake Dreams His Old Body could still Do It!!

Modified Towel Stretch for Plantar Fasciitis for shoeless situations

If you have read my blog, you know my key stretches for plantar fasciitis. I have many although the Plantar Fascial Wall Stretch is my favorite (see video at the end of this post). However, the Plantar Fascial Wall Stretch needs shoes on to perform correctly.  The following video shows a seated towel stretch that I think has merit to be added to your stretch routine when you do not have shoes on. 

You need the shoe on to stretch the toes from a weight bearing position.

Calcaneal Apophysitis: Sever's Disease Email Correspondance

Dear Dr Blake:
My son has suffered with this for about 1 year. He is nearly 11. Exactly as you described in one of your previous posts on calcaneal apophysitis. He had x-rays today, compared them to the blog post image. It is identical.

The growth plate in the back of the heel in children between 8 and 14 can get inflamed due to the pull of the achilles tendon which attaches into it. This pain syndrome is called Sever's Disease or Calcaneal Apophysitis.

 Have you ever used medrol dose pack to relieve severe inflammation? He started that yesterday. A month of rest (no activity other than school), advil 400 mg 3X a day did not help alleviate pain. I am praying for some relief for him.

Dr Blake's response:

Hey Dad, sorry to hear about your son. This is a nasty problem at times, since your son is still 10 and the growth plate will be opened until 14 or so.  Definitely medrol dose pack is used at that age alot. Commmonly for asthma and poison oak, but severe inflammation of any cause it can sure do the trick. It should only be used once per year, since it is cortisone, but sounds like he really needed it.  Give me a progress report after he goes through the medication. 

Once he is off the cortisone, he should go back to the Advil (same dosage), ice for 20 minutes twice daily, and do contrast baths once daily. This attack on the inflammation should knock it out. The order of ending is 1) medrol dose pack, 2)advil, 3) contrasts, and then 4)icing. The medrol dose pack is a one time thing to knock down the inflammation, whereas the other 3 should be done until your son is back to full activity. I will try to be even clearer on my post today. 

He really needs to make the heel area of his workout shoes softer with one of a variety of inserts found online or in a local sporting good store or pharmacy. He needs to stretch his achilles tendons, both straight and bent knee, 5-7 times daily to minimize the tension on the heel bone. Some patients need custom orthotics to off weight the heel and get the weight into the arch. Other patients need physical therapy, especially EGS with contrasts to flush the inflammation. Find out if the heel pain feels better in shoes vs barefoot. Golden Rule of Foot: Any time barefoot feels bad with an injury, avoid for 3-6 months. 



Overall, you are doing what is right. You have to create that pain free environment by reducing the inflammation. Once the inflammation is down enough with all the modalities listed above, and to where the pain level is between 0-2, you can safely gradually increase activity as long as the symptoms stay the same. Other than the limited medrol pack, I recommend gradually weaning off things. Golden Rule of Foot: Stay on safe treatments 2 weeks longer than you think you need to. 

Calcaneal (Heel Bone) Stress Fractures: A Cause of Significant Persistant Heel Pain

Patient presents with swelling under the heel bone. There is pain produced on side to side compression of the heel bone during physical examination. 

X-rays normally are inconclusive. The patient does not have to have a story of landing hard on the heel. Onset of pain normally occurs over a short time, whereas plantar fasciitis (more commonly a cause of heel pain) has a typically gradual onset of the pain, worsening slowly over a month or so. The typical differential diagnosis with significant heel pain with swelling is calcaneal stress fracture or plantar fascial tear. 

MRI is the conclusive test. It is important to note how close the stress lines are to the subtalar joint. The closer to the subtalar joint, the more consideration of non weight bearing 8 weeks of permanent casting. This is totally desvastating to a patient, so avoided when possible. The following are 4 MRIs for the patients with heel pain, each with different findings.

This MRI showed the bone swelling above the bottom of the heel bone due to a tear in the plantar fascia. You can see the intense swelling above and below the plantar fascia. This is not the pattern of swelling of a calcaneal stress fracture. A small blood vessel is seen running through the heel bone.

This is a tremendous bone reaction from a calcaneal (heel bone) stress fracture that runs from the bottom to the top of the heel to the subtalar joint. A permanent non weight bearing cast for 4-8 weeks could be easily recommended to protect the joint. This particular patient would have mentally lost it, so I did treat this with a removable cast. She has done well, but did take longer than normal. 

Same patient above, 3 months into her treatment, still very sore, with still bone swelling within the heel bone. As long as there is bone swelling, there will be pain (like the pain you get from a sinus headache). I never created a good pain free environment for multiple reasons, so the typical 3 months of immobilization actually lasted 6. She was however able to do intense spin classes and swim without problems during this time.  We consciously, as a physician and patient team, traded early function for a potentially longer rehabilitation period.

Normal heel bone with organized blood vessels.

     Once the diagnosis is made, here is a checklist of events that should happen:

1. Questions about bone density issues, dietary habits, activity levels leading to overuse, selection of shoe  gear, and past history of fractures.
2. The patient should be fitted for a removable walking boot, unless concern that the fracture goes too close to the subtalar joint. If the fracture is deemed non-weight bearing, a permanent cast is normally used for 4 to 8 weeks. I use a 1/2 inch accommodative pad to float the heel of the walking boot, and tend to use a below the knee cast over a shorter one. An EvenUp is used on the other shoe.    
3. Over the first 2 weeks post diagnosis, you strive to create a pain free environment. The ease or difficulty in creating this pain free environment is an important clue on how serious the problem is. The average patient needs to be in the removable cast for 3 more months once the pain free status is attained. 
4. Activity modification is crucial at this time.Bike and swimming are commonly used to maintain cardio, especially if a removable boot is used. Floor exercises for strength and flexibility are recommended. Pilates is a great source of these exercises. 
5. Sole OTC orthotics are used within the cast produce heel padding and weight transfer into the arch.
6. Contrast baths once or twice daily are vital at reducing heel bone edema (swelling). Swelling within the bone should be minimized since it actually can reduce the normal blood flow important for healing. This can slow healing.
7. A Bone Stimulator for 6 to 9 months is used. I actually stop 2 months after full activity is resumed. I use Exogen ultrasound for this, but there are other good stimulators.
8. The Primary Care Doc should discuss all the factors that effect bone healing including the right amounts of calcium, Vit D3, and other minerals. With bone injuries, I have the patients minimize their use of NSAIDs (like advil, etc). 
9. Monthly return visits can be scheduled for a while. 

Sole OTC inserts with extra cushion in heel and extra Hapad arch support to transfer weight into the heel. 

One month after the diagnosis, the patient is normally casted for custom fitting soft orthotics. I use the Hannaford technique, but most professional orthotic labs have their versions that are similiar.These are dispensed in 1-4 weeks depending on the need to see that patient (if the pain free environment is established already, waiting 4 weeks to dispense the new orthotic devices is probably fine).

This shows the memory foam of a Hannaford soft based custom orthotic device. 

One month later, normally now 2 months post diagnosis, physical therapy can be started to decrease inflammation and work on the damaging aspects of casting: stiffness, weakness, loss of proprioception (balance), and sometimes nerve hypersensitivity. Physical therapy can be helpful until you are back to full activity, probably 3-6 months. Most of the time physical therapy can be effective at 1-2 times per week.

Patient in physical therapy doing contrast bathing to reduce bone swelling and its resultant pain. 

Three months post diagnosis should mean that the patient has been pain free for almost exactly 3 months with all of the above treatments. If it was tough to get the pain level under control, then this landmark may take much longer. It seems that the patient can successfully wean off the removable boot after being relatively pain free for 3 months, no matter how long that takes. To successfully wean off of the boot means that you can not have more pain out of the boot than in the boot. The removable boot or cast (I use those phrases to mean the same thing) is initially weaned off by keeping on at work, and gradually adding more time out of the boot at home or doing errands. When you are completely weaned out of the boot for home, gradually spend less time at work. During this time there can be no increase in pain, you should ice 2 or 3 times a day extra (ice pack 15 minutes to the bottom of the heel), and the whole process can take 4 to 6 weeks. During this time always have the boot with you!! You never know when you will need it.

Once you are out of the boot full time, you can gradually increase your activity. This is definitely for another post.

San Francisco Giants 2012 World Series Champions!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlFRs83M6ww&feature=youtube_gdata_player

If you want to know what I have mainly been doing this Magical October!!! Congratulations San Francisco Giants!!

The Giants win the Pennant!! The Giants win the Pennant!! The Giants win the Pennant!!

50 years after losing to the New York Yankees in Game 7 of the 1962 World Series when I was 8 years old, the San Francisco Giants break the 7th Game Curse, beating the St Louis Cardinals tonight 9-0 and Win the 2012 National League Pennant. It took an incredible 6 Elimination Games to do it!! It will go down in baseball history as one of the greatest feats ever. The Agony Kids become the Comeback Kids!!! Good Luck against the Detroit Tigers in the World Series!! Go Giants!! Go Gigantes!!

Foot Pain in 8 year old: Email Advice

Dear Dr. Blake,

I was googling around the internet for "accessory navicular bone" and happened upon your wonderful website.  My husband and I have been dealing with our daughter's chronic ankle pain for 2 years now and I'm ready for a diagnosis already.  As a parent, it is extremely frustrating to have doctor's tell you that your child's pain is a) not real b) just a sprain or c) "let's do some PT and see what happens."  All of her x-rays have been "normal," and we recently received news that the MRI we were finally granted (AMEN!!) of the ankle was "normal" as well.  She cried when we told her everything came back normal. . . The only finding so far is that she has an accessory navicular bone in the ankle that causes her pain.  DING DING DING!  Wow- once I started looking up information about this little bone, I was floored.  The only issue is that I can't seem to find any information about children with this problem.  And, we are waiting waiting waiting for an appointment with the foot and ankle specialists at Duke, who are booked from now until February (this email was sent October 20th).  In the meantime, I'd love to be able to figure out some way to help her. . . because I KNOW she is in pain.

Dr Blake's comment: Pain from an accessory navicular bone normally presents in children around 13-14 at the earliest. The accessory navicular bone is on the arch side (big toe side of the foot) where the powerful posterior tibial tendon attaches, it is the main tendon in supporting the arch of the foot. Very important!! We know that the accessory navicular bone can cause direct pain where it attaches to the normal navicular bone, or cause tendon pain since the extra bone disrupts the normal attachment, weakening the tendon, causing the tendon to strain easier. This is usually an easy diagnosis when the patient points to the accessory navicular and says it hurts right here!!! You got to make it easy for us patients!!
     However, the pain that your daughter presents with is on the opposite side of the foot and ankle (outside or lateral side). This presentation, along with negative X-rays and MRI, leads me to suspect a mechanical cause of her pain like over pronation (perhaps indirectly caused by the accessory navicular bone. 

This was sent on my request and X-rays and MRI are on the way. Here the patient clearly notes pain on the lateral side of the foot/ankle. The common diagnoses for the age group is lateral ankle impingement pain, peroneal tendonitis, calcaneal apophysitis, sinus tarsitis, and calcaneocuboid joint sprain. 

About 2 years ago she was diagnosed with a "tibial growth plate fracture" (suspected since it was never visible on x-ray), and put in a cast for 3 weeks.  At that time, pain was located on the medial ankle and in her heel.  Following immobilzation, she was fine for exactly 1 year.  The pain returned again, only this time it had migrated to the outside of her ankle.
Dr Blake's comment: The immobilization had fixed the tibial growth plate fracture. The new pain, one year later, is 99% not related to the original problem, especially since it is in a totally different area. 

 This completed perplexed the orthopedist and he sent us home, assuming that she had either strained it or just liked visiting the doctor on a regular basis.  Fast forward through almost a year of soccer games, swim team, summer trips to the water park, and flip flops and we are officially in AGONY.
Dr Blake's comment: At least now the picture is getting clearer. 1 year ago she injured herself with a new injury, has had no treatment for that injury, and is not getting better. Since the injury involves no broken bones, bones sticking out of the foot, or torn tendons, the treating doc figured a little time will heal the problem. 95% of the time, it probably does. Your daughter fits into the 5% that really needed more treatment. 

 Since I refuse to go back to the orthopedist who dismissed us, we've been back to the pediatrician's office, had more X-rays (normal), seen an exercise science specialist ("Go back and play soccer.  You're fine.  I guess we can try PT too."),  seen a sports medicine PT ("Um. . . I don't work with 8 year olds and I'm not sure how to treat a problem without a proper diagnosis."), and FINALLY we raised enough hell to get her an MRI, which is of course normal. 

In looking at her ankles, her right ankle is definitely turned in now and the arch is flattened.

Here is the photo of the back of the legs/feet. Both heels are pronated (ankle bones collapsing in). As the arches collapse, from the back you can see more of the fifth toe. 

That overpronation is much clearer on this photo with the right side leaning inward. Golden Rule of Foot: When the pain can be from asymmetrical pronation, fix that first and see if the pain is diminished. 

 Is there anything we can do while we wait until February to see the Holy Grail of (adult) ankle specialists at Duke?  When your child comes to you everyday in pain, it's heartbreaking.  

Thanks in advance for any direction.  

Desperate!

Mary from North Carolina (name changed for privacy)

Dr Blake's response:

Mary, I am definitely on board to help. And will answer this email on my blog Sunday or Monday. Definitely send me a photo of her foot pointing to the area she feels the pain, a short video probably is best. Please send me the xrays and MRI on CD to Dr Rich Blake 900 Hyde Street San Francisco, Calif, 94109. Also, tell me about her average day, how she feels waking up, when the pain starts, is there swelling, how it feels after she rests it, etc. Any info helpful. Rich

Mary's Response: 

Thanks so much for taking a look at our daughter Dr. Blake.  I've attached a few pictures which will hopefully be helpful.   In response to your questions, our daughter seems okay in the morning, but then any activity like walking or running seems to result in pain.  At this point, just walking around the grocery store seems to be painful.  By bedtime she often complains the most and sometimes says that falling asleep is difficult due to the pain.  Most nights, she helps herself to an ice pack before going to bed.  She also sometimes complains about pain behind her knee after prolonged walking.  I am planning to get my hands on  X-ray and MRI on Monday and I will send them to you next week.  

Thanks again,

Dr Blake's comment: I will look forward to seeing the films. However, with no obvious swelling at any time, I most common problem is a mechanically induced pain syndrome in one of the structures mentioned above. It can be caused by the accessory navicular weakening the arch, but there are many other causes of arch collapse. A biomechanics expert in that neck of the woods is Dr Doug Milch, a podiatrist in Ashville. Please look him up, and perhaps he can refer you to someone closer. You have to start with designing an insert which she wears with any weight bearing for minimum of 4 months, and it could be longer, that completely eliminates the pronation on that right side. It is easy actually if you are into biomechanics. Once the biomechanics are stabilized, then you can effectively work on strength and anti-inflammatory. I hope this helps. Definitely have her ice pack that area for 10 minutes 3 times a day until you get the inserts. Let me know if there are any problems with this referral. Dr Rich Blake

Shoe Wedging to Stop Supination

Supination following heel strike is one of the most deadly biomechanical problems. The shoe industry is starting to pay attention with a range of mor stable neutral shoes which will work with orthotic devices to stabilize that problem. However, almost weekly I need to do in-office shoe wedging to eliminate this problem even in the face of good orthotics and shoes. When we strike the ground walking or running, our legs must internally rotate from the feet, ankles, knees, hips and pelvis to absorb the shock. This internal rotation of the entire lower extremity allows the foot to pronate, and the foot to adapt to the ground. If our foot supinates at this time, forcing external rotation of the foot and ankle, problems arise in many ways. The foot can no longer adapt to the ground well and sprains can occur. The shock wave of heel strike will intensify potentially causing bone and joint problems. The peroneals and iliotibial band must work overtime at stabilizing the lateral/outside of the foot/ankle/knee/hip and strains occur. 

So, when I watch someone walk and run, I look for over-supination at heel strike. I see if simply the shoe needs changing from stability to neutral. I teach the patient how to perform lateral power lacing. I evaluate any shoe inserts/orthotics to see if I can adjust for anti-supination. And, I may also wedge their midsole as shown in the photos below to see if this helps eliminate supination at heel strike, and ease their symptoms. 

Lateral (baby toe side) of the midsole is opened with a scalpel. This process can be easily done by some shoe repair stores.

In this case, a 1/4 inch wedge of grinding rubber from JMS Plastics is placed into the opening. Both sides of the midsole and both sides of the wedge are initially glued with Barge Cement and let to dry for 10 minutes.

All excess wedge material is cut and ground off and SuperGlue is used to seal any gaps that did not seal completely.

The final product is shown. This patient Vince has chronic medial knee joint compartment disease, and this wedging has allowed him to avoid knee replacement successfully for the last 15 years by eliminating the excessive supination which was causing the medial knee compartment to compress abnormally with every step.

So, when evaluating individuals with various injuries, watching them walk and/or run, can give you great clues to treatment. Gait evaluation should be done in most non-acute injuries to see if gait changes may help. This is one example of this process in action. 

En Pointe!! The Art of the Ballet Dancer's Shoes Revealed

I make my own orthotics for my patients, distance runners struggle to keep their blisters away, the cyclist perfects every part of the bike, the baseball player chooses the right bat, all expressions of the artist at work when success is so fragile. This video is inspiring, and gives us a little glimpse into the pointe shoes of a ballerina. The art, and yet the science revealed, is passed on. One generation to another for the art of ballet must be passed to the next generation successfully. 

Shoe Lacing Technique for Less Top of Foot Pressure

Gabapentin (Neurontin) Breakin Dose Regimen for Nerve Pain

Even though Neurontin (gabapentin the generic name) is commonly used for nerve pain in the foot or ankle, there are some problems with patients getting used to it. These problems can sometimes be avoided if the following gradual increase dosing regimen is utilized. You need to take the evening dose as soon as you finish all tasks requiring manual dexterity (making dinner, driving to the store, etc), preferably by 7 pm. This dosing requires multiple prescriptions of initially 100mg, and then 300mg also. It is preferred to build up the evening dose the fastest. The goal in most patients initially is pain relief down to levels 2 or 1800 mg/day. If you have attained pain levels of 2 consistently before 1800 mg, then you level the patient off at that level for 3 to 4 months, before beginning a slow weaning off (another post). Side-effects occur normally at the start, and taper off as you get acclimated to the drug. The regimen below is listed by week increments, but you can attempt making the changes every 4 or 5 days to speed up the course. There are many variations from here that can be considered based on individual responses to the drug and the response as more drug is added. 

Week Prescribed        AM Dose                   Afternoon Dose        Evening Dose

1                                                                                                              100 mg

2                                                                                                              200 mg

3                                                                                                              300 mg

4                                                                                                              400 mg

5                                  100 mg                                                                200 mg

6                                  100 mg                                                                300 mg

7                                  100 mg                           100 mg                         300 mg

8                                  100 mg                           100 mg                         400 mg

9                                  200 mg                           100 mg                         400 mg

10                                200 mg                           100 mg                         500 mg

11                                300 mg                           100 mg                         500 mg

12                                300 mg                           200 mg                         500 mg

13                                400 mg                           200 mg                         500 mg

14                                400 mg                           200 mg                         600 mg

15                                500 mg                           200 mg                         600 mg

16                                500 mg                           300 mg                         600 mg

17                                600 mg                           300 mg                         600 mg

18                                600 mg                           400 mg                         600 mg

19                                600 mg                           500 mg                         600 mg

20                                600 mg                           600 mg                         600 mg

Sore Big Toe Joint: Email Advice

Hey there,

I've enjoyed reading your blogs.

First off I'm curious if you are still in San Francisco. I'm moving to south of France from Bermuda but I'm making a detour stop in San Luis obispo... Maybe I can come by and check you out.

So here's the issue. I was out playing beach football (soccer) barefoot and kicked the ball awkwardly with my R big toe. It really hurt for a few days but then went away. Two hot summer months passed I wore flip flops majority of the time especially since I was working on the beach but now I've starting back into fall training.  I am a professional track & field athlete and now that I'm training 6 days a week wearing sneakers my toe is uncomfortable, when I run and push off.  It hurts when I flex, when i crack/curl my toes in morning and when put pressure on the top medial side of the 2nd knuckle (kinda where people have their bunions-see attached) .  It may possibly be broken :( so basically my question to you is if broken/ fractured will it heal on its own?  (I understand hard to answer w/ out x rays)  do I just need to give it time? Should i tape it?  Is it too late It has been two months and I haven't actually sat still ...what can I say I'm an athlete :p 

Dear Track person, 

     Yes I am in San Francisco, and would be happy to see you if you swing through. A good friend of mine is Dr Doug Ritchie in Seal Beach, near San Luis Obispo, and he is very capable also. 

      It is hard to tell you what is wrong. It has to be minor because 2 months it did not bother you. It may not be related to the original ow eee!!   You can definitely treat it generically with spica taping with Kinesiotape, icing three times daily, self making dancer's pads to off weight, skipping the front eyelet when you lace the shoes, and getting an xray when you can. You can find all of these techniques in the blog. Hope it helps some. Rich 

Navicular Drop Test for Posterior Tibial Dysfunction

This video is important for demonstrating both posterior tibial strengthening exercises and the navicular drop test for posterior tibial dysfunction.

Sock Lovers: See SockDreams website

http://www.sockdreams.com/_pages/index.php

I want to thank Jennifer for telling me about this great website. She always wears great socks. Rich

Plantar Fasciitis: The All Important Wall Stretch

This is one of the most important stretches for patients with plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is primarily a tightness problem, so stretching properly from day one of the injury is crucial. The stretch can be done from 3 times daily to every hour. It should never hurt while doing or after. The stretch needs to be held for 30 seconds or 5 deep breathes. Deep breathing get oxygen down to the tissue and makes it much easier to stretch. Hold the stretch with no bouncing. Enjoy the video. Dr Blake

Hallux Limitus and Sesamoid Injury Combined: Email Advice

Dr. Blake-                                                                                                                               

                                                        Tuesday, October 2, 2012

       Hello.  I want to express my appreciation in advance for your informative blog and for your dedication in helping so many return to health and activity.

       My foot problem started about 10 weeks ago.  I had pain one morning as I put a sandal on to go to church. One step with my left foot and I noticed a significant pain on the bottom of my foot, below my big toe.  Life went along fairly normal that week.  I did all my normal activities with some slight discomfort  on the bottom of my foot.   Six days later (on a Saturday of course!! ) the swelling and redness and warmth of that area started and I went to seek treatment at an urgent care.  

      The NP  did not feel an xray would be helpful and diagnosed cellulitis.  She did not feel my “pain” was equal to the pain of a gout attack.  (of which I have no history of)  I began 10 days of Bactrim (for possible infection) and Naproxen for the inflammation( 2- 500mg/day)   She encouraged me to follow up with a podiatrist-which I did the following Friday.

      The podiatrist took an xray- differential dx #1- fractured tibial sesamoid, (xray showed 2 bones-jagged edges)  #2- bipartite tibial sesamoid with sesamoiditis,  #3- gout    I was placed in a walking boot.  He told me to go ahead and finish my 10 days of Bactrim and Naproxen.

Dr Blake's comment: When you are started on antibiotics, you should normally finish the full 7 to 10 day course, even if you feel better within a day or two.

     Blood work for my uric acid levels came back well within normal.

Dr Blake's comment: Uric Acid is the blood indicator for gout. It always drops into the normal range after a gout attack, so it depends how normal you were to decide if gout is a possibility. At our hospital 8.7 is high normal, so any number in the 7s or 8s still means you could have had  a gout attack. 

     After four weeks in a CAM walking boot my foot was worsening. 

Dr Blake's comment: These removable boots do immobilize the joint by allowing the foot to roll through, but they do not eliminate weight bearing. That has to be done with some sort of padding to float the sore area. 

    Midway through the 4 weeks a felt pad was added to the boot, cutting out a hole for the sesamoid area to help off load the weight. This did not help. The inflammation, pain and redness was increasing. 

Dr Blake's comment: Remember it is crucial to create a Painfree environment as soon as possible, which could be permanent cast, crutches, RollABout, etc. Whatever it takes to get rid of the pain. 

   I was placed on Indomethacin.  However, I had side effects of  migraine type headaches and 7 canker sores- so after 6 days he told me to discontinue use.  An MRI and another Blood test was ordered.  Again blood test for uric acid normal (4.5)  MRI report: ”most likely”  bipartitie sesamoid with trabecular injury, possibly chronic stress response phenomenon  , degenerative changes, and tenosynovitis of the extensor halluces longus tendon. 

Dr Blake's comment: So, we know you do not have gout. What did you do to possible damage the joint (probably old wear and tear) and the sesamoid (more acute)?

     With this information the podiatrist decided to place my foot in a non-weight bearing cast for 3 weeks.  I was placed on disablitity and returned to the podiatrist office last week.  I didn’t need “DPM” behind my name to know my foot did not improve with the cast.  The redness had improved, but much swelling still present- more than just from the cast.   I was sent home in a post op shoe with crutches and slight weight bearing.  I was told if foot was worsening to go back to walking boot and crutches.  I am to go back in a week (which is three days from now) for reevaluation and podiatrist will possibly aspirate synovial fluid and/or place a cortisone shot.  Orthotics are in my future, but not until more healing has occured.

Dr Blake's comment: The course you have been on is logical, as long as changes cause less pain not more pain. Unless you told the doctors more than me, they are looking for a reason to explain this sudden onset of pain, without your physically traumatizing yourself. So, it makes sense to get a synovial fluid analysis, although only get a short acting cortisone shot. You have too much joint irregularities that the joint may break down further under the influence of a long acting shot. Hopefully, even though your pain has been more than normal, all of the rest and immobilization and protection is allowing whatever the source of pain to heal. Do not let the pain increase now that you are out of the non-weight bearing cast. 

     At this point I would say my foot has stabilized.  It is not getting worse, and the swelling in the big toe and ball of foot has improved some, but I couldn't begin to wear a normal pair of shoes or walk normally without pain.  There is still pain with palpation. Range of motion of the joint is limited and more painful when flexing upward. 

Dr Blake's comment: So, you are behaving like many of my sesamoid fracture patients. It can be something you did 2 days before the onset of pain that caused the crack in the bone. Think back. You have to be treated for the next 2 months very carefully to avoid a flareup, especially when you are apparently healing. Typically, the first 6-10 weeks are rocky, the next 4-8 weeks gradual improvement, and by 6 months after the first MRI you can get another to check overall healing. But, You have to be treated now for a stress fracture unless the other test reveals something. 

   So, I would love to hear what your thoughts are on where I should go from here.  I am impressed by your blog and your dedication to help inform others and share your knowledge and expertise.  The MRI report used some interesting terminology.  I have tried to research online “Chronic Stress Response Phenomenon” and have come up empty.  I am not even sure I understand the phrase “tibail sesamoid trabecular injury.”  What does that mean exactly?  Is the bone fractured inside?  I realize my podiatrist is just as frustrated as I am that I have not made much progress.  Could you explain to me why my podiatrist may be considering aspriating synovial fluid and/or placing a cortisone shot?  

Dr Blake's comment: Flattery will get you everywhere!! The MRI shows injury to the bone by showing that the bone is trying to heal. How does anything heal in these temples of ours? They heal by bringing in fluid to the injured area, and with that fluid are the cells and nutrients for healing. That is, if we are eating healthy, etc. So, when the radiologists see swelling within the bone, but no obvious fracture line, they can not call it a fracture for sure, so they call stress reaction, or trabecular injury (the inside architecture of bone), or bone edema. But, they really all mean the same. 

     Tell your podiatrist not to be frustrated, because you are probably only 40% healed, so have a few more months. The things I would do now are:

1. Get good supportive orthotics made that will protect this area as you wean from the cast, and you can use in the cast as soon as they are made.
2. Three times a day either do a 10 minute ice pack or 20 minutes contrast bath.
3. Learn to spica tape (it takes 10 times or so to get it right. 
4. Pat yourselves on the back for ruling out gout, infection, and starting the healing process (however rocky). 
5. Consider sending you to a rheumatologist first before injecting the joint if a suspicion of systemic arthritis is being considered.
6. Check out the HOKA running shoes as a possible alternative to the removable cast after 3 months of immobilization is done. 
7. Work with your internist of making sure you have the ability to drive Calcium into your bones. 
8. Consider a RollABout or A Leg Up for around the house or work if you are constantly irritating the joint. 
9. Take this 2 weeks at a time.
10. Avoid anti-inflammatories since they all slow bone healing. Ice is just as good right to the spot. 

PS-I am 56 with a history of osteoporosis diagnosed two years ago. 

(If you put this on your blog will you please change my name—call me Susan!!!   thanks)  

Susan, I sure hope this helps and I would be happy to look at the MRI if you want to send the CD. Rich

Germs and the Workplace: Graphics to Keep You Healthy

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Hallux Limitus/Rigidus: Email Advice

Hi!

I am suffering from hallux rigidus since maybe 5 years. I try to use my feet as normal as possible and has experienced that e.g. jogging is not painful and does not make the situation worse. But I am also practicing aikido, a sport when you move a lot from the floor and up. This is more depending on the toes and is difficult to me, both because of stiffness and pain. I try to read about the course of the disease, what to expect. Will the joints eventually be completely stiff and is this good or bad? I really avoid surgery and also wonder what other treatments that can be done e.g. stretching, manipulation etc.

Thank you,

Dr Blake's comments: 

     I am very happy to respond to you. And, I encourage you to read all the blog posts on this subject to get a good handle on this condition. 

     The problem needs to become a project for you. You need to remain active, but respectful of that joint. It is the most important joint in the foot, if you do not include the ankle. You need to avoid activities that cause pain over a level 2, if you can not adjust to that sport. By adjusting, I mean to change routines, shoes, inserts, taping techniques, padding, etc, in order to play without pain. So, you can jog now, and you must modify akido (unless you are getting paid alot of money, I mean alot of money, to participate through pain!). 

     The condition does progress, but there is no correlation to pain that I can find. I treat 1000's of these, and some minor joint problems cause great disability, and more major joint problems do well. There are so many factors that affect this: shoes, biomechanics, activities participated, where the joint breakdown occurs, pain thresholds, etc. Do not relie on too many generalizations about this, because they are just generalizations. 

     Here are some of the truths I believe are true with Hallux Limitus:

1. There are way too many aggressive surgeries done.
2. Joint Fusions should be the last resort (at least, after one other surgical attempt).
3. Honor the Big Toe Joint and work on finding out how to minimize pain.
4. The joint will continue to breakdown, and as long as you honor the pain level, you should do as much activity as is possible. 
5. All patients with Hallux Limitus/Rigidus need to: learn to spica tape, have custom made orthotic devices to protect the joint, learn to self mob, honor their pain if the symptoms go above 2 with any activity, and use anti-inflammatory measure daily with smoldering daily arthritic pain. 

 I sure hope this helps some. Rich