Items filtered by date: December 2019

We’ve started a new facebook page. It will be a great place to find foot care advice & news about the office. We hope you’ll check it out. Feel free to ask us questions about foot & ankle issues. We also hope to see pictures of our patients enjoying their favorite athletic activities.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Advanced-Foot-Ankle-Center/321799047856941

A recent article from USA today about Clippers’ player, Chauncey Billups, and his Achilles injury:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/clippers/story/2012-02-08/Chauncey-Billups-vows-to-return-from-injury/53011366/1

Ouch! Achilles injuries don’t just happen to professional athletes. Achilles tendinitis can happen to any active person. Typically people notice swelling in their Achilles tendon and pain with activity. Achilles tendon tears can happen from overuse (think “weekend warriors”) and often require surgery. If you’re having pain in the Achilles tendon, seek help from your podiatrist. To help prevent Achilles injuries, wear shoes with adequate arch support, stretch after activity, and don’t overdo it!

Dr. Erin Kalla is a foot & ankle specialist in Long Beach, CA. She specializes in foot & ankle surgery, sports medicine, and diabetic foot care

In the past, research viewed plantar fasciitis as an inflammatory disorder caused by micro-tearing of the plantar fascia. New evidence shows no inflammatory properties seen in histological specimen of patient’s with chronic plantar fasciitis. This leads to the belief that the chronic pain is due to the degenerative condition of the collagen fibers due to excessive wear and tear.

Doctor Pedram Aslmand is a Plantar Fasciitis Doctor Long Beach as well as a foot and ankle specialist in Long Beach, California specializing in sports medicine and foot and ankle surgery.

In our age of advancing medical treatment technology, there is a new type of therapy for foot pain that has proven to be very successful and practically painless known as EPAT or Shock Wave Therapy. This revolutionary treatment procedure has made it easier for anyone experiencing common foot problems to have immediate and effective treatment.
How Does EPAT Therapy Work On A Patient?

A podiatrist will apply direct low frequency soundwaves on the injured area of your foot through a hand held applicator. By doing this, the sound waves will penetrate through the tissue in your foot and stimulate more blood flow to the affected area. This will help to speed up your body’s natural healing process. Multiple treatments over multiple weeks will greatly increase your relief in pain.

Some of the major benefits of shock wave therapy include:

-No anesthesia
-No hospital stay
-No risk of infection
-Faster healing
-No side effects

With benefits like those, it is very hard to turn away from such a treatment. When over 80% of patients have experienced less to no pain after shock wave therapy, you start to see the draw of the procedure.

Some of the most common foot problems and conditions suitable for shock wave therapy treatment include plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis, and chronic muscle pain. All of these conditions are treated by Dr. Pedram Aslmand at his office.

Patients who have received shock therapy treatment have experienced a change in their pain after about 3 weeks, but some have even felt the effects almost immediately. While most patients are suited for this type of treatment, it is advised that any patient who is taking blood thinners should not have this procedure due to the affects of the shockwaves on the blood stream itself.

For more information about EPAT Shock Wave Therapy Treatment, contact Dr. Pedram Aslmand for a consultation today!

Recovering from bunion surgery is a process that involves clear instruction, and a bit of self discipline. No one wants to find themselves with a post-surgical infection, or a foot that cannot bear weight properly. So, I wanted to share some tips on recovering.

You should greatly restrain the desire to be up and moving a lot. Bearing too much weight, after surgery, can lead to issues with the bunion surgery. You can end up with a lot more pain and swelling. So, limit your time on your feet.

For the first 3 days or so, you need to keep the foot elevated as much as possible. Applications of ice three times a day will also help to reduce the amount of swelling from the surgery. You may also be taking some ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, or some pain killer, based upon what your surgeon prescribes. Make sure that you don’t cheat this process, as it will only help you recover more quickly.

You will also begin wearing an orthotic, such as a boot cast, for around 2-3 weeks, while recovering from bunion surgery. The boot is designed to protect you, so follow instructions for wearing it. It is also important that you keep the foot clean and dry. The best way to do this is take a bath, so you can guarantee the foot will stay out of the water.

Finally, stay away from tight fitting shoes, until the incision has completely healed. You also want to avoid narrow toed shoes for the same period.

Recovering from bunion surgery can be a simple process, by just following the simple instructions provided to you by your surgeon. You’ll be back on your feet in no time.

Many people experience foot pain without an apparent injury, and many of them are left wondering why. In many cases, the culprit is a neuroma. Simply put, a neuroma is a swollen nerve. In the case of a Morton’s neuroma, this nerve is located between the third and fourth toes. This condition can be quite painful, with most patients reporting a sharp feeling in the ball of the foot and radiating outward to the toes. There are many treatment options available to reduce the swelling in the nerve, among them a cutting-edge technique known as alcohol sclerosing.

Conservative care – including the use of custom orthotics, massage, and cortisone injections – is usually the first course of treatment for this painful condition. In the past, neuromas that failed to respond to these methods were typically removed surgically. However, because it is a nerve, patients who had them removed often complained of strange sensations in the place where the nerve used to be. Now, alcohol sclerosing can provide a preferable alternative to these older methods.

Using a solution of local anesthetics and ethyl alcohol, the doctor administers a series of injections near the affected nerve using ultrasound guidance. These injections are usually administered on a weekly basis over the course of three to seven visits. At this point, many patients report that they are completely pain free. Additional injections after this initial course of treatment are usually withheld for at least 90 days. This is because the effects of alcohol sclerosing can be gradual and need to be evaluated over time.

Dr. Aslmand has performed hundreds of these procedures, with the vast majority of his patients reporting an improvement in their condition. He prefers to use this treatment when possible because of its high success rate and relative safety when compared to surgical methods. If you are experiencing unexplained nerve pain in your foot, schedule an appointment to meet with Dr. Aslmand today. You too can benefit from the relief that countless others have enjoyed. Call today.

Painful shin splints is often associated with running due to the repetitive impact that the lower body undergoes with each jarring impact that is made. Shin splints, while painful and irritating, are treatable using a conservative approach that won’t mean hanging up your running shoes.

Shin splints are referred to as the pain you feel along your shinbone in front of your lower leg. The pain can be debilitating and will result is acute pain with nearly every step that is taken. This pain occurs in your tibia and is found most commonly among runners and dancers who have a regular impact with a hard surface from the ball of their feet. When experiencing this pain, it is advised that you take preventative measures to alleviate further complications and ensure that the inflammation has a chance to recede.

Shin splints are technically known as medial tibial stress syndrome. Common signs of shin splints usually are tenderness and some mild swelling in your lower leg. This pain is mostly found among runners who suddenly change their normal workout routine too rapidly. For instance, if an athlete has been running 2-3 miles twice per week, but then decides that they want to run a marathon and quickly progressed to running 5-7 miles three times per week, the body is going to have to adapt quickly. The stress and increased workload can put pressure on the body that may result in a potential breakdown.

By changing a running routine very quickly, your body does not have the time to adapt and the previous conditions it was accustomed to experiencing and recovering from are no longer enough. Your muscles, tendons, and bone tissue begin to become overworked and fatigued by the new, intensified training.

There are many ways to combat shin splints and help to ease the pain in your legs if you are experiencing shin splints. First, it is important to treat your legs with ice and plenty of rest after a strenuous workout. Using the RICE philosophy (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), a runner can provide their legs with the necessary rehabilitation after activity while still being able to be active and continue training.

Another important aspect to prevent shin splints is to be sure you are wearing proper footwear and modifying your exercise routine so that you do not further inflict pain. Often times getting a new pair of running shoes or adding an insert or orthotic can be just what is required to reduce the stress of impact. As a guideline, it is important that you replace your shoes every 350 to 500 miles so that you consistently have proper foot care.

If you are experiencing painful shin splints that are not going away then contact Dr. Pedram Aslmand’s office to schedule a consultation to determine a course of action that can get you back to your training regiment.

A broken ankle is a serious injury that often requires a significant amount of time and treatment to properly heal. This type of injury is relatively common to those who engage in competitive athletics, particularly basketball players. Such athletes might wonder how quickly they can return to playing basketball after a broken ankle? The following brief article attempts to answer that question.

The truth is there is no cut and dried timeframe as to when an athlete can, once again, play basketball after a broken ankle. The amount of time necessary to heal will vary from athlete to athlete and depend upon several different factors, including:

The Length Of The Recovery Period
The recovery period following a fractured ankle typically plays out over several phases. The first phase requires that the ankle be immobilized inside a cast. Once the cast is removed, the athlete can slowly begin to initiate movement again, but typically not without crutches. When the ankle is healed enough to be moved on its own, the athlete will need to undertake therapeutic activities designed to strengthen the injured bone. It is only when the athlete is able to place weight on the healed ankle and maintain balance will he or she be able to resume any kind of rigorous physical exercise such as playing basketball. Even in cases of less severe fractures without complications, the recovery period is usually at least a couple of months.

The Severity Of The Break
In certain instances, fractures can be more complicated. Ankle breaks can sometimes occur in several places inside the bone, impact surrounding joints and/or require surgical repair. Under such circumstances, the recovery time could potentially be much longer and may require follow-up procedures to remove hardware such as screws or metal that might have been needed to fuse the fractured pieces of bone. Following more complicated fractures and/or those that required surgical intervention, an athlete might be able to return to competitive basketball within four to six months after the injury occurred.

Did Other Complications Arise?
In instances where the bone is slow to heal or if an infection developed, other treatments and potentially additional surgeries may be required to prevent further injury or, quite possibly, illness. The initial recovery period would not be able to commence until any and all complications are identified and corrected.

The aforementioned time periods are only a general guide. The more exact timeframes needed before an athlete can return to the court will be determined by his or her endurance level. It is important to note that regaining full range and motion are keys to recovery because these attributes play an important role in strengthening the ankle and limiting the possibility of injury recurrences upon resuming more rigorous competitive activity. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the athlete to not rush his or her recovery and consult with their doctors to ensure they are healing properly.

A fracture ankle occurs when one or more of the bones that comprise the ankle are broken. The implications of the injury vary, with a single break preventing you from walking to multiple fractures, which can displace the ankle and leave it completely immobilized for several months. Ligaments can also incur damage during the injury, which further weakens the stability of the joint and increases the healing time for a fractured ankle. A number of incidents can result in this injury, including twisting and/or rolling the ankle, falling, and experiencing a strong impact or trauma. Common red flag symptoms include bruising, swelling, severe pain, deformity, and the inability to put weight on the foot.

Ankle Anatomy
The ankle joint is made up of multiple ligaments and three bones: the tibia (shin bone), fibula, and talus (a small bone sitting between the heel, tibia, and fibula). The surrounding ligaments hold the bones in place and keep the joints in tact. Two types of joint can be involved in ankle fractures. The ankle joint is classified as the point at which the tibia, fibula, and talus meet, while the Syndesmosis joint contains ligaments that connect the tibia and fibula.

Types of Fractures
Dr. Aslmand will determine the type of fracture according to which area of bone is broken. The most common fractures are a lateral malleolus and a bimalleolar fracture. A lateral malleolus fracture occurs at the end of the fibula, whereas a bimalleolar involves a break in both the tibia and the fibula. Physical examination, stress tests, and imaging scans allow the doctor to locate the injury and decide on a treatment plan.

Surgical and Non-surgical Treatment
If the fracture is very low and/or the bones are not out of place, the injury can be treated without a surgical procedure. Many fractures can be treated with a removable ankle brace or half-leg cast. If the ankle is unstable or out of place, however, your doctor may determine that surgery is necessary. Depending on the type and location of the fracture, Dr. Aslmand may use screws, plates, or wiring techniques to reposition the affected parts and create a healthy starting point for recovery.

Fractured Ankle Healing Time
Because of the wide range of potential injuries, the prognosis and recovery time are also varied. The healing time will depend on the stability of the joint and bones, as well as the medical intervention used. As a general rule, broken bones take at least six weeks to heal, but the ligaments and tendons may require more time. Whether you undergo surgery or not, the affected area needs time to heal and recover, meaning you must avoid putting weight on the leg for at least six weeks. Follow-up x-rays allow the treatment team to monitor the healing process and ensure that the bones heal with proper alignment and positioning. Physical therapy exercises can begin once the ankle is able to be moved, and weightbearing will depend entirely on how rehabilitation progresses. Depending on the injury, patients may also be advised to wear a supportive brace or splint for several months after beginning recovery, particularly when engaging in physical activities that put stress on the ankle.

Returning to running after a broken foot is always tough. No matter what kind of shape you’re in or how much you could run before, getting back into your old routine is always a slow process. There’s not much you can do to speed up your recovery, but you can make sure that you will eventually start running again without risking any further injury. Here are just a few tips that will help you with that.

Listen to Your Doctor

First of all, you should always follow your doctor’s instructions. Your doctor will be able to tell you when it’s safe to start running after a broken foot, so don’t start before that.

Stay As Active as You Can

One of the biggest problems with recovering from an injury is not being able to keep up with your training. You will eventually recover from your broken foot as long as you heed your doctor’s advice, but you might be out of shape once you get back on the road again. Find some ways to stay active to keep this from happening. They obviously won’t involve putting too much weight or pressure onto your broken foot, but they will keep you from feeling too exhausted during your first post-fracture run. Stick to exercises that improve your flexibility and core strength.

Start Slow

Once you’re able to start running again, make sure to start slow. Don’t go on the kinds of long runs that you enjoyed before your injury. Instead, start with a shorter run that won’t tax you too much. You might be a little out of shape even if you’ve tried to stay active, and you might feel some pain in your foot if you try to go too hard. Only attempt what you’re comfortable doing at first, and stop if you feel that you should. You can gradually pick up the pace later after you’ve recovered some of your old stamina.

Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Help

When you’re returning to running after a serious injury, things will be harder for you than they were before. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it, whether that means working out with a friend who will provide assistance if things get too difficult or speaking to your doctor about how to best handle your recovery. You might not feel like you need this kind of assistance, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

For more information about how you can help with your own recovery after you’ve broken your foot, contact Dr. Pedram Aslmand today.