Items filtered by date: October 2013

Columbus Podiatry & Surgery is pleased to announce, Dr. Sarah Abshier has been nominated for the OhioHealth Prism Award for Compassion. The annual Prism Awards spotlight employee achievements and innovations that support company values. Nominations are open to all OhioHealth employees; recipients are selected by leadership and employee groups.

On Tuesday, October 22, 2013 OhioHealth will hold the 2013 Prism Awards ceremony at the Ohio Theatre, to celebrate Ohio Health’s amazing culture and their amazing associates.

On Sunday, October 20, 2013, Ohio’s Largest Marathon took place. The marathon raised $200,000 for Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Over 100,000 spectators, 18,000 athletes, 3,000 volunteers, and 26 miracle mile patient champions from all over the world met in beautiful downtown Columbus for this huge event. The athletes of the full marathon ran a total of 26.2 miles, and those that ran the half marathon ran 13.1 miles. Participating in a marathon requires a lot of training and preparation.

Running injuries mostly occur in the lower extremity. Some of the most common injuries include Achilles tendonitis and stress fractures. Achilles tendonitis is inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which attaches to the back of the heel bone. A sudden increase in the amount or intensity of exercise can cause the tendon to become inflamed, degenerate, or even tear. Over time this can cause a bone spur on the back of the heel, and is often associated with tight calf muscles. Common symptoms of Achilles tendonitis include pain and stiffness along the Achilles tendon in the morning, thickening or enlargement of the tendon, as well as tenderness to the back of the leg and especially the back of the heel. Stress fractures are small cracks in the bone that develop due to overuse. Stress fractures often occur when doing too much activity too soon. In a more fit individual the muscles in the foot act as shock absorbers and prevent stress fractures. On the other hand, when a less fit individual starts to increase activity too soon, then the muscles are not yet strong enough to act as shock absorbers. Stress fractures occur most often in the second and third metatarsals of the foot, which are the long bones in the foot. Other common locations of stress fractures are in the heel bone, or calcaneus, as well as the navicular bone, which is on the inner part of the midfoot. Symptoms of a stress fracture include pain that develops gradually and is worse with activity, swelling on the top of the foot, and tenderness at the site of the fracture.

Running a marathon is an amazing accomplishment, and can be achieved without injury. The main ways to prevent injury are to remember not to do too much too soon, incorporate strength-training exercises, and make sure you are wearing appropriate shoe gear. If an injury does occur, contact your podiatrist.

Please visit www.ColumbusFoot.com for more tips for healthier and happier feet or call 614-885-3338 (FEET) to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus Podiatry & Surgery is located on the North side of Columbus, Ohio near Worthington.

Columbus Podiatry & Surgery has opened a new location in Gahanna, near Easton. Please call 614-476-3338 (FEET) for an appointment with a podiatrist in Gahanna, OH today.

Jessica Ellen Cornish, also known as, Jessie J, began her rise to fame in 2006. She is well known for her music that has topped U.S. Billboards Hot 100, but many may not know that she had a major reconstructive ankle surgery and ankle fusion in June 2011. Jessie J broke her ankle after falling off a stage during a show.

Ankle fusions are done following trauma or arthritis in the ankle joint. An ankle fusion procedure involves removing the damaged bone at the end of the tibia and fibula, which are the two bones in the lower leg, and then removing the damaged portion of the talus, which is the bone at the top of the foot and is also part of the ankle joint. Once the damaged bone is removed, then screws and sometimes, metal plates are put in place, and allow the joint to fuse. Jessie J also had a bone transplant, or bone graft. The bone graft can be taken from another part of your own body, or it can be taken from a cadaver. The graft is used to fill in defects or gaps.

Following an ankle fusion the screws and plates stay in unless they become painful or cause complications. Immediately after surgery the patient is put in a cast and given crutches. After around six weeks the patient may be given a CAM walker, or surgical shoe. The ankle will have decreased range of motion, and the side that had surgery will have a limb length discrepancy. Some people have difficulty walking up or down inclines following surgery, and due to the limited range of motion of the ankle joint there are some restrictions to the types of shoes that should be worn and many people are given orthotics or heel lifts to help with the limb length discrepancy. Most people are able to return to their daily activities within a few months.

Jessie J will be having another ankle surgery this December to have the metal plate removed because the plate has been causing pain. Hopefully Jessie J gives up her stilettos, and gives her ankle the rest it needs so she will be ready for her 2014 tour.

Please visit www.ColumbusFoot.com for more tips for healthier and happier feet or call 614-885-3338 (FEET) to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus Podiatry & Surgery is located on the North side of Columbus, Ohio near Worthington.

Columbus Podiatry & Surgery has opened a new location in Gahanna, near Easton. Please call 614-476-3338 (FEET) for an appointment with a podiatrist in Gahanna, OH today.

Fall is back! Temperatures outside are dropping, leaves are changing colors, and the Pumpkin Spice Latte is back. Fall is a great time for runners to prepare for marathons or 5K races because the weather is perfect. Whether you run long distances or short distances you need comfortable shoes.

There are many things to consider when choosing good running shoes. Do you run on a trail or on the road? Do you need extra ankle support? Do you have any foot deformities such as, hammertoes or bunions? If you are running on a trail then you want to get a shoe with extra support. Some running shoes will put in a medial post, which may be made of plastic that is inside your shoe, and helps support the arch. If you need extra ankle support then you should choose a shoe with a sturdier medial post, a higher top, and a thinner sole. If you are running on roads or a treadmill you will want to choose a shoe that is comfortable and fits your foot type. If you are running on a track, then you may want to use racing flats or racing spikes. For deformities such as hammertoes or bunions you want to make sure that your shoe has a big enough toe box to accommodate the deformity. Other important things to remember about your running shoes:

• They should be replaced after 1 year of use, or after 300-500 miles depending on the quality of the shoe.
• Running shoes should only be used for running.
• Be sure the shoe is the proper size for your foot.
• Orthotics may help with foot deformities, and aid in preventing injury.
• Choose a shoe based on your foot type. Do you have a high arch, or a flat foot?

These are just a few guidelines for selecting quality running shoes. There are many types and brands out there for every budget and foot type.

Please visit www.ColumbusFoot.com for more tips for healthier and happier feet or call 614-885-3338 (FEET) to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus Podiatry & Surgery is located on the North side of Columbus, Ohio near Worthington.

Columbus Podiatry & Surgery has opened a new location in Gahanna, near Easton. Please call 614-476-3338 (FEET) for an appointment with a podiatrist in Gahanna, OH today.