Fix Feet for Weight Loss Success
Fix Feet for Weight Loss Success
(Gastonia, NC) Many of the estimated 70 million obese Americans are trapped in a life-threatening vicious cycle: Obesity aggravates foot problems, like heel pain and flat feet; sore feet make it hard to exercise and lose weight; and without exercise, obesity worsens and exacerbates progression of diabetes, heart disease and other serious health threats. Today, a Gaston County foot and ankle surgeon urged obese adults to seek immediate treatment for chronic, activity-limiting foot and ankle problems to foster compliance with physician-directed exercise programs.
“It’s unfortunate obese adults get caught up in the vicious cycle of avoiding physical activity due to foot or ankle pain, thereby permitting cardiovascular disease and other life-threatening conditions to worsen as a result,” says Ryan Meredith, DPM, a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS ). “For example, in many cases, chronic heel pain occurs from carrying too much weight. Left untreated, it becomes an impediment to physical activity and meaningful weight loss.”
Meredith, who practices at Gaston Foot & Ankle Associates with partners Dave Kirlin, DPM and Wagner Santiago, DPM, says there’s no reason foot or ankle pain should stop obese patients from exercising. The first step toward breaking that vicious cycle is an evaluation by a foot and ankle surgeon.
According to the ACFAS consumer Web site, FootHealthFacts.org, many causes of foot pain can be relieved without surgery through stretching exercises, orthotics and athletic shoes with good shock absorption and support. If a bunion, heel pain or other condition requires surgery, patients can participate during their recovery in non-weight-bearing activities, such as riding a stationary bike, swimming or weight training.
For those moderately to severely overweight, Meredith says a thorough physical examination is mandatory before beginning an exercise program.
“Once cleared by your physician to begin exercising, don’t try to do too much too soon. Follow a gradual routine until your body adjusts to the stress of regular physical activity,” he says. “For example, I counsel overweight patients to avoid working out on treadmills or elliptical machines to minimize pounding and stress on their joints.”
Shedding excess pounds helps diabetic patients control their disease, but Meredith notes many who experience foot ulcerations and vascular problems caused by diabetes might think they shouldn’t exercise.
“Every diabetes patient needs regular foot exams to check for possible sore spots and assess nerve sensation,” says Meredith. “And with proper diabetic foot care and the right footwear, most patients can follow an exercise regimen that is safe and appropriate for them.”
For more information about ankle fractures and sprains or other foot and ankle problems, contact Gaston Foot & Ankle Associates’ office at (704) 964-6466, or go to FootHealthFacts.org.
For Many, Winter is Fall Season
For many, winter is fall season
Icy conditions cause falls and broken ankles
(Gastonia, NC) With the hectic pace of the holidays, serious injuries from ice-related falls inevitably occur. A Gaston County foot and ankle surgeon says falls on icy surfaces are a major cause of ankle sprains and fractures, and it’s critical to seek prompt treatment to prevent further damage that can prolong recovery.
David Kirlin, DPM, AACFAS says the ankle joint is vulnerable to serious injury from hard falls on ice.
“Ice accelerates the fall and often causes more severe trauma because the foot can go in any direction after slipping,” he says.
Kirlin is a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) with an office in Gastonia, NC. He adds that in cases of less severe fractures and sprains, it’s possible to walk and mistakenly believe the injury doesn’t require medical treatment.
“Never assume the ability to walk means your ankle isn’t broken or badly sprained,” he says. “Putting weight on the injured joint can worsen the problem and lead to chronic instability, joint pain and arthritis later in life.”
Some people may fracture and sprain an ankle at the same time, and a bad sprain can mask the fracture.
“It’s best to have an injured ankle evaluated as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment,” says Kirlin. “If you can’t see a foot and ankle surgeon or visit the emergency room right away, follow the RICE technique – Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation – until medical care is available.”
According to the ACFAS consumer website, FootHealthFacts.org, even though symptoms of ankle sprains and fractures are similar, fractures are associated with:
- Pain at the site of the fracture that can extend from the foot to the knee
- Significant swelling
- Blisters over the fracture site
- Bruising soon after the injury
- Bone protruding through the skin—a compound fracture, which requires immediate attention!
Most ankle fractures and some sprains are treated by immobilizing the joint in a cast or splint to foster union and healing. However, surgery may be needed to repair fractures with significant malalignment to unite bone fragments and realign them properly.
Dr. Kirlin said newly designed surgical plates and screws allow repair of these injuries with less surgical trauma.
“With newer bone-fixation methods, there are smaller incisions to minimize tissue damage and bleeding and accelerate the healing process,” he says.
Kirlin recommends scheduling an appointment with (HIS OR HER) office if you have injured your ankle in any way.
“If you fall on an icy spot and hurt your ankle, the best advice is to seek medical attention immediately,” he says. “This aids in early diagnosis and proper treatment of the ankle injury and reduces the risk of further damage.”
For further information about ankle fractures and sprains or other foot and ankle problems, contact Gaston Foot & Ankle Associates, PA at (704) 964-6466.
Soccer Season: Prime Time for Foot & Ankle Injuries
Soccer season: Prime time for foot, ankle injuries
(Gastonia, NC) — Soccer season is in full swing and a local foot and ankle surgeon strongly urges parents and coaches to think twice before coaxing young, injury-prone soccer players to “play through” foot and ankle pain.
“Starting and stopping and moving side to side on cleats that are little more than moccasins with spikes – that’s a recipe for foot and ankle sprains and worse,” cautions Wagner Santiago, DPM, who along with Dave Kirlin, DPM and Ryan Meredith, DPM, has an office in Gastonia.
“Kids will play with lingering, nagging heel pain that, upon testing, turns out to be a stress fracture that neither they, their parents, nor their coaches were aware of,” he said. “By playing with pain, they can’t give their team 100 percent and they make their injuries worse, which prolongs their time out of soccer.”
Santiago said he has actually had to show parents x-rays of fractures before they’ll take their kids out of the game. “And stress fractures can be subtle – they don’t always show up on initial x-rays.”
Symptoms of stress fractures include pain during normal activity and when touching the area, and swelling without bruising. Treatment usually involves rest and sometimes casting. Some stress fractures heal poorly and often require surgery, such as a break in the elongated bone near the little toe, known as a Jones fracture.
“Soccer is a very popular sport in our community, but the constant running associated with it places excessive stress on a developing foot,” Santiago said. He added that pain from overuse usually stems from inflammation, such as around the growth plate of the heel bone, more so than a stress fracture. “Their growth plates are still open and bones are still growing and maturing – until they’re about 13 to 16. Rest and, in some cases, immobilization of the foot should relieve that inflammation,” Santiago said.
Other types of overuse injuries are Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis (heel pain caused by inflammation of the tissue extending from the heel to the toes).
Quick, out-of-nowhere ankle sprains are also common to soccer. “Ankle sprains should be evaluated by a physician to assess the extent of the injury,” said Santiago. “If the ankle stays swollen for days and is painful to walk or even stand on, it could be a fracture.”
Collisions between soccer players take their toll on toes. “When two feet are coming at the ball simultaneously, that ball becomes like a cement block and goes nowhere. The weakest point in that transaction is usually the foot, with broken toes the outcome,” he explained. “The toes swell up so much the player can’t get a shoe on, which is a good sign for young athletes and their parents: If they are having trouble just getting a shoe on, they shouldn’t play.”
Dr. Santiago, as well as Doctors Kirlin and Meredith, are members of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) and all are board certified in foot and ankle surgery. Santiago has been practicing in Gastonia since 1999. He can be contacted at (704) 964-6466.
For further information about various foot conditions, contact Gaston Foot & Ankle Associates, PA., in Gastonia at (704) 964-6466 or visit www.gastonfoot.com.
Gaston Foot & Ankle Celebrate 25 Years
Gaston Foot & Ankle Celebrating
25 Years of Keeping Gaston County on its Feet
(Gastonia, NC) Gaston Foot and Ankle Associates, PA is celebrating its 25th year in Gaston County with an open house on Thursday, November 12th from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. Patients, both former and current, as well as friends and colleagues are invited to attend the celebration.
David Kirlin, DPM, started the practice on Garrison Boulevard in 1984. Ryan Meredith, DPM, joined the practice six years later. The practice grew again in 1999 with the addition of Wagner Santiago, DPM, and moved to its current location at 251 Wilmot Drive.
The physicians at Gaston Foot & Ankle Associates, PA specialize in medical and surgical care of the foot and ankle. Conditions treated include heel pain, ankle sprains, broken bones, sports injuries, diabetic ulcers, foot wounds and other foot problems. Kirlin, Meredith and Santiago are all members of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) and are board certified in foot and ankle surgery. For more information, contact the practice at (704) 964-6466.
