Head To Toe Healthcare, PLC Blog

What do golf and basketball sensations Tiger & Shaq have in common?

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Both have suffered from Achilles injury. Recently, Tiger Woods was forced to withdraw from the 2012 WGC-Cadillac championships due to Achilles pain. Many athletes suffer from Achilles tendon injuries, since it is a structure that undergoes tremendous strain and due to a relative lack of blood flow is susceptible to injury. Shaquille O'neil has undergone Achilles tendon reinforcement surgery, after sustaining a 9 cm tear. Depending on the severity of injury, advanced treatment options may include PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma), Amniomatrix, Shockwave therapy, Laser therapy, or sugical repair. Learn more about non-surgical advanced treatments at: http://www.healpainsolutions.com

NBA Star D-Wade suffering from Plantar Fasciitis

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Basketball All-Star Dwyane Wade has been hampered by injury early this season and sites Plantar Fasciitis as one of the probable causes. This type of heel pain is a very common condition affecting many Americans. Orthotics are likely the mainstay treatment, but some emerging advanced conservative treatments may include laser therapy, radiofrequency nerve ablation, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, Platelet Rich Plasma, or Amnio Matrix injections. Go to www.heelpainsolutions.com to learn more about these innovative treatments.

Sex education from Head to Toe e-book

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Let's talk about a topic that is near and dear to many, SEX! Find out what your eyes and feet have to do with action between the sheets.

An entertaining and quick read that may actually teach you a few things.

Sex education from Head to Toe e-book is absolutely free - no registration is required. Click the link here to download your copy today.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had surgery on his right foot

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Brady played much of this MVP season with the stress fracture, but it did not appear to affect his performance in the Patriots' loss during the playoffs to the New York Jets. Tom Brady underwent successful surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital to repair the lingering stress fracture in his right foot.

Navicular stress fractures are a relatively uncommon stress fracture, but are certainly more prevalent among athletes. As an aside, navicular stress fractures were originally described in racing greyhounds by Bateman in 1958, who found them to occur in the dog's hiind leg secondary to the increased stresses; the first human description was in 1970.

This is a commonly missed or delayed diagnosis, as this fracture may not be seen on standard radiographs. Bone scans, CTs, and MRIs are sometimes used to help make this diagnosis. While metatarsal stress fractures of the foot often heel in 3 to 4 weeks, due to reduced circulation of the navicular bone, healing times are closer to 6 weeks for this condition with immobilization. On occasion, surgery is required.

NFL's Big Ben of the Pittsburgh Steelers with fifth metatarsal fracture

Sun, 12 Dec 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisbergr has a broken fifth metatarsal according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. This has led to limited practice sessions and a boot to protect his injured right foot. Different types of fifth metatarsal fractures exist and one type called a Jones Fracture may take longer to heal. Treatment primarily includes casting much of the time. However, surgery is necessary in some cases. Both casting and surgery may also involve bone stimulators in rare cases.

Dancing with the Stars Champ Jennifer Gray suffers from neuroma pain

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 08:00:00 GMT

Dancing with the Stars Champ Jennifer Gray revealed she was in constant pain while competing in the show. The Dirty Dancing star suffered a foot injury and told Extra, "I have this nerve that is squeezed between the bones in my foot called a neuroma that's gotta be dealth with." This is a familiar foot problem to many. Conservative treatments may involve orthotics, injections, and changes in shoe gear. Before considering surgery, other more advanced conservative treatments may include laser therapy, cryotherapy, or radiofrequency nerve ablation.

Once nearly blind Olympian wins Gold at Vancouver!

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 08:00:00 GMT

One great story line at the 2010 Winter Olympics is of Steven Holcomb who almost retired 3 years ago because of an eye disorder called kertoconus. In this eye condition, the front of the eye thins out, pressure of fluid inside of the eye pushes the weak section of the eye and results in a cone shape. The condition results in severe blurriness, but is oftentimes treatable with surgery. Surgery not approved by the FDA restored his vision to 20/20 from 20/500 and involved placing corrective lenses behind the pupil.

Holcomb had surgery in March 2008 and approached these 2010 Olympics with USA gold medal hopes. He has established himself as one of the world's premier bobsled pilots.

Last year, USA-1 ended a 50-year World Championships gold-medal drought with a victory in Lake Placid, NY. They ended a 62-year Olympics gold-less streak Saturday.

What will NBA star LeBron James not go on the court without?

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:00:00 GMT

NBA star LeBron James following a basketball game and keeping with a personal tradition, tossed his shoes into the crowd. Minutes later, the loudspeaker annouced if the people who caught the shoes of LeBron could come to the scorers table. James did not want his shoes back as he has hundreds, but he forgot to take out his orthotics; not only because they typically cost more than $500 a pair, but because the orthotic inserts help reduce common injuries such as plantar fasciitis (heel pain) and stress fractures. Podiatrist Dr. Alan Shih says that orthotics help in many ways by improving mechanics, reducing injuries, and improving performance.

A teammate of Lebron, Ilgauskas swears by his orthotics having overcome repeated foot injuries that required multiple surgeries. Zydrunas Ilgauskas says, "Forget athletes, I think everyone should have them just to walk around."

For more on this article, go to cleveland.com blog on this.

NY Giants QB Eli Manning with Plantar Fasciitis

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain) is an extremly common foot injury, and even Super Bowl MVPs can fall victim. NY Giants QB Eli Manning was recently diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. The good news is that the majority of people get better with conservative treatments; the mainstay being orthotics.

There have been serveral exciting conservative developments to help treat this condition. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) has been popularized by some more recent Super Bowl champions Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu. Using their own blood, the most potent healing part of blood are extracted, then injected into the injury site for accelerated healing. Other advanced conservative treatments may include Acoustic Wave Therapy or Radiofrequency Nerve Ablation (RFNA), all are in office procedures and possible alternatives to surgery.

Click here to learn more about some of of these latest innovative treatments.

What eye condition has Halle Berry & Rihanna both incurred?

Tue, 19 May 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Halle suffered an eye injury during her shooting of 007 movie Die Another Day, when a fragment of a smoke grenade lodged in her left eye after a series of stunt explosions. James Bond, played by Pierce Brosnan was shooting down a helicopter during this scene. Doctors at a local hospital removed a piece of shrapnel, and while her eye was inflamed and red, she suffered no permanent damage and was soon back on the set.

Rihanna allegedly suffered a scratched eye due to an abusive relationship, thus causing her to wear a patch to cover her red and sensitive eye at the 2008 American Music Awards.

Halle & Rihanna both suffered an abrasion to their corneas, which can cause significant pain, redness, tearing, and light sensitivity. Medical treatment should be sought right away for this condition.

Best Known Chinese athlete in the world, Yao Ming suffers broken foot

Sun, 17 May 2009 08:00:00 GMT

For those of us who admire humble All-Star athletes, it was a pity to see 7 foot 6 inch Yao Ming suffer a fracture of his left foot ending his season before the playoffs. His injury was originally thought to be an anke sprain, underscoring the importance of seeking medical treatment for various foot and ankle injuries. There are many types of navicular fractures, a bone in the center of the arch of the foot. Sometimes there is an accessory bone that should not be confused as a fracture. It is not uncommon to have a delay in the diagnosis of a navicular stress fracture. While many of these fractures heal with conservative measures, surgical intervention may be appropriate depending on the extent of fracture, time frame to treatment, demands of patient, and other factors.

Phoenix Suns Star Amare Stoudemire out for the season due to a retinal detachement

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:00:00 GMT

The Phoenix Suns NBA star and leading scorer Amare Stoudemire was recently lost for the season, due to a partially detached retina that required surgery. In a game against the LA Clippers, where he scorred 42 points, he was struck near his eye. He has suffered from a torn iris in the same eye in the past.

Trauma is the leading cause of retinal detahments and athletic endeavors are a frequent precipitant. While the majority of eye injuries can be prevented by wearing protective eyewear, the majority of athletes do not wear them. Soudemire's injury emphasizes the seriousness of a detached retina, which can result in blindness.

Possible symptoms of a patient with a a retinal detachment may include stumbling, general clumbsiness, often running into the wall, and difficulty walking in a straight line. There are certainly a myriad of other possible causes, but the best way to fule out a retinal detachment is by a dilated eye exam.

If one experiences 'Floaters and/or Flashes' they should contact an eye care professional right away, as this may indicate an abnormality of the retina. These conditions typically start during the earlier stages of a retinal hole or tear, and usually worsen with a retinal detachment. A retinal detachment is a medical emergency, and can result in permanent vision loss. If you or anyone you know experience any of these symptoms, seek medical treatment right away.

Dancing with the Stars Kim Kardashian suffers a foot laceration

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:00:00 GMT

When Kim Kardashian suffered a foot laceration from a piece of broken glass, dialing 911 may have been excessive, even if she was expected to be a contestant on Dancing with the Stars.

Regardless, cuts are a common foot injury. If you sustain a minor cut, wash the area with soap and water, perhaps a topical antiseptic. Then cover the cut with a bandage. Minor cuts can take several minutes to stop bleeding, apply pressure to the cut to stop the bleeding. Most minor cuts will heal on their own if kept clean and covered.

If you suffer anything other than a superficial cut, see a doctor. A culture and sensitivity test may be ordered, perhaps an anti-biotic dispensed. Sometimes a tetanus injection is necessary. Some lacerations require sutures. If a foreign body is embedded in your foot, do not try to remove it alone, as you could make the condition worse. Seek medical attention right away.