This is the official blog for TAGALOA-TULIFAU FOOT AND ANKLE CENTER

I would like to congratulate the Lakewood Sheriff's Station and Soroptomist International of Lakewood/Long Beach for hosting the Lakewood Mug Run 2010. Congratulations to all the participants.



While any sport can cause stress fractures, running is the main cause of stress fractures in the lower extremity due to repetitive stress. Most of these runners have a higher pain threshold and continue to run before they're diagnosed with a stress fracture. Female runners are more prone to stress fractures than their male counterparts due to ammenorhea (loss of menses) and reduction in estrogen production which causes bone density loss. Younger runners are prone to stress fractures of the growth plates. Wearing inappropriate shoes that are worn out and don't have enough cushion is a contributing factor to causing stress fracture. The type of running surface can cause stress fractures in the lower extremity with concrete being more than 10% denser than asphalt causing repetitive stress and leading to a stress fracture. Calcium is an important mineral for bone strengthening. Making sure that one has sufficient calcium in their daily diet is important in reducing chances of stress fracture. The recommended calcium intake for men and women ages 50-70 is 1,000 mg per day, the recommended daily calcium in the age group 50-70 is 1,200 mg per day. An increase in training intensity and decrease body mass also contribute to stress fractures.
The symptoms of a stress fracture is pin point tenderness, swelling over the affected area and pain with weight bearing on the affected side.
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should immediately slow down and see your Podiatrist. Xrays are needed to evaluate the bones. Most of the time a bone scan or MRI is needed. If you have a stress fracture, you need more than the basic treatments of Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Contact our office for further information. If you have any further questions regarding stress fractures, please visit our practise website at www.ttfootandankle.com

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

DO NOT SELF TREAT PLANTAR WARTS

One of the common problems that bring patients to my office is plantar warts. Plantar warts are common among teenagers. Most patients present to the office after self treating for a while without success. Plantar warts present as skin overgrowths on the bottom of the foot, especially on the sole and the heels where much of the weight is placed when walking. When they first appear, they're usually not painful. As the wart gets bigger and pushes deeper into the skin it becomes very painful. Plantar warts can multiply on the bottom of the foot.

Plantar warts are caused by Human Papilloma Virus. Some people are more susceptible to contacting the virus than others. The virus enters the skin through any tiny breaks of the superficial layer of the skin called the epidermis. People can contact the virus by wearing dirty socks and shoes, going barefooted in public areas such as swimming pools and locker rooms and stepping barefooted in dirty areas where the virus is lurking.

As a prevention protocol, I advise my patients to always check their feet. In the case of little children the parents need to check their children's feet. People need to avoid wearing dirty socks or wearing other people's socks and shoes. When using a public swimming pool, always wear slippers in the locker rooms.

Treatments for plantar warts available in my office are debridement and salicylic acid, topical medication, cryotherapy and Bleomycin injection. Treatment of plantar warts can take up to 3-6 weeks to resolve completely. Each patient is treated differently depending on how the wart manifests itself on the patient's foot. Plantar wart is a disease that one should not overlook. Self-treatment is never effective. Using over the counter remedies without seeking professional treatment from the Doctor is never recommended. Delaying seeking professional treatment will allow the wart to grow deeper in the skin and making it harder to treat.

For more information http://www.ttfootandankle.com

Dr. Mafutaga S. Tagaloa-Tulifau
TAGALOA-TULIFAU FOOT AND ANKLE CENTER

WE PROVIDE THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE FOOT AND ANKLE CARE
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