Kobe Bryant Tears Achilles Tendon

Could This be the End of His Career?

During the fourth quarter of yesterday’s Los Angeles Lakers game, Kobe Bryant suffered a probable Achilles tendon tear in his left leg.  Probable, because he will undergo an MRI to confirm the diagnosis.

However, a complete tear is easily diagnosed by clinical examination. A doctor will perform what is called the Thompson’s test, whereby the patient is lying on his stomach and the doctor will squeeze the calf muscle.  The foot should move up and down if the Achilles is not ruptured.  If it is, the foot will not move.

The Achilles tendon attaches the calf muscle to the back of the heel bone.  It is a very thick and strong tendon and not easy to tear, but it is still a common injury. Causes of Achilles tendon tears can be caused by overuse, such as in sports, when one does too much, too fast, and too soon.  Combine that with lack of stretching, then you have a great recipe that can lead to this type of injury.

In addition, the injury is common in professional athletes because of the tremendous force that is applied to this tendon while playing their sport.  It usually occurs as the foot is planted on the ground and then there is a quick rotation of the leg and ankle.  So, in Kobe Bryant’s case, as he planted his left foot, he quickly turned his body, causing the tendon to snap.

Bryant is 34 years old and has played more minutes per game during the month of April then in any other time during his prodigious NBA career.  This has definitely caused a lot of wear and tear on his body.

Other causes for this type of injury is wearing high heels, which causes a lot of stress on the tendon, as well as trauma to the tendon, such as a blow to the area.

Bryant will need surgery to repair this tendon, and recovery will be anywhere from 6 months to a year.  This type of injury ended careers of Dan Marino and Charles Barkley.  Hopefully, this is not the end for Kobe.

If you are having pain at the back of your heel, you should see your podiatrist.  AtFamily Foot & Ankle Specialists in Piscataway and Hillsborough, NJ, 
we see and treat a lot of athletes with this sort of injury. 

To get more information on foot and ankle injuries, get our free book, "Stop Foot Pain Fast: A User's Guide to Foot and Ankle Health.

If you are experiencing foot or ankle pain, call to get a FREE appointment at our Piscataway podiatrist office.

Laday Gaga Cancels Upcoming Shows Due to Foot Pain

Lady Gaga had to cancel some of her upcoming shows due to a foot problem she is experiencing. Unfortunately, the many Gaga fans who have tickets to some of her upcoming shows are in for a real let down, as she is forced to cancel some of her upcoming shows.

Piscataway podiatrist, Amit Kalra explains how the Mother Monster is experiencing synovitis in her foot and leg. While this painful condition can cause an average person to become inactive, trying to dance around with 6 inch heels is nearly impossible.

Lady Gaga adamantly apologized via Twitter for the disappointment she is causing her millions of fans around the world. She explains how this painful ankle injury has been festering for a while now and she has been trying to work through the pain, however, she cannot even walk anymore!

The shows scheduled for Chicago, Detroit and Hamilton, Ontario have been postponed. It's not clear when these shows will be rescheduled or what that means for her other upcoming shows on her "Born This Way Ball Tour". Stay tuned for further info!

If you are experiencing foot or ankle pain, call to get a FREE appointment at our Piscataway podiatrist office. Just like Gaga's foot pain...your pain will not go away on it's own!

Causes of Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction/ Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity

Dr. Dana Waters, a Hillsborough Podiatrist explains the common condition adult flatfoot. The clinical name, Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction, is a common condition that effects many adults. The cause of Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction is usually overuse. Athletes, diabetics, those overweight, and people who work on their feet are the most effected with this condition. Treatment is usually done with conservative measures, and treatment is easiest if the condition is detected early.
 If you are having pain in your feet or ankles, click here or call one of our NJ offices to make an appointment with one of our doctors. (732) 968-3833.

Easy and Effective Winter Foot Care Tips

One of the best feelings in the world might be warm, fuzzy socks on cold feet. When your feet are cold, it's likely your body will be cold as well. Your head and feet are the two biggest outlets of heat on your body. If you keep them warm and cozy, the rest of your body will likely feel the same way.

The cold months of winter can wreak havoc on your feet. It's especially important to keep your feet warm and protected during the winter in order to keep them...and the rest of your body safe. In the article below, Dr. Robert Kosofsky, a podiatrist in Piscataway, NJ at Family Foot & Ankle Specialists explains some easy and effective tips to keeping your feet healthy and happy. He explains it is especially important for children and seniors are they are more susceptible to illness and injury.

For example,

• Always keep a change of socks
• Wear weather appropriate socks
• Children & babies need to wear extra blankets or protection
• Seniors need to regularly visit their healthcare professionals

Click here to learn how to keep your feet happy, dry and COZY all winter long!

Hillsborough Podiatrist Discusses Stress Fractures

Dr. Dana Waters, a podiatrist in Hillsborough, NJ explains the causes and treatments of stress fractures. Stress fractures are commonly caused by overuse. Athletes such as runners, soccer players, and gymnasts experience them often. Treatment for the condition includes rest, ice, compression and elevation as well as anti inflammatories.

If you think you may have a stress fracture, it is recommended to see a podiatrist to ensure that there is not further damage.

Do you have a rash on your leg?

 I once had a woman come to me as a patient for an evaluation of a dark rash on the front of her right leg with mild swelling.  She says the rash always stays the same but the swelling is worse at the end of the day.  The key to her story is that she has almost no swelling when she wakes up in the morning.  She saw a dermatologist who prescribed some antifungal creams for this rash but it never cleared up.  She was very frustrated.  What was this rash?   

The official diagnosis was venous stasis dermatitis from venous insufficiency.  Well to break it down, this is a circulation issue.  Not the arteries.  She had good pulses in her feet (pedal pulses) so the arteries were bringing the oxygenated blood to the feet.  This is the most important part of foot health – the arterial circulation.  You must have good arterial circulation to literally keep your feet but that is another topic.  

This patient had insufficient venous circulation.  It is easier for the arteries to bring blood down to the feet with the help of gravity but the veins have to bring the deoxygenated blood back up to the heart and lungs against gravity.  So to help this venous blood to travel up, there are valves in the veins that push this blood up.  Over time, sometimes these valves get damaged, become insufficient and cannot do a good job at this so the venous blood pools in the legs and the legs increasingly swell.  Superficial and deep varicose veins develop and the venous purplish blood deposits some of its contents called hemosiderin deposits.  

This is what is responsible for the “rash” on this patient’s legs.  This is called venous stasis dermatitis.  So that is why the antifungal did not work as it is not a fungus nor did the steroids work as it doesn’t help the venous blood travel up the leg.  If this persists, venousstasis ulceration can develop with the increased swelling as the fluid has nowhere to go but out and the skin breaks opens.  

Increased age, smoking, genetics, obesity, trauma and pregnancy are all risk factors of venous insufficiency.  Compression stockings (support hose), pneumatic compression devices, weight loss, elevation and exercise can all help manage this condition.  Wound care is needed for an open wound (ulceration) and sometimes if severe enough, referral to a vascular specialist is necessary.

New NJ Podiatrist

 Introducing Dr. Amit Kalra!!

 Dr. Amit Kalra joins Family Foot & Ankle Specialists, in Hillsborough and Piscataway, NJ. 

As an athlete myself I know what it is like to have a foot/ankle injury. My mission here at Family Foot and Ankle is to make sure we give you the best and most up to date treatment for whatever issue you may have; Welcome!” 

Extensive Education “I pride myself on the education I have received to date and the years it took to get me to where I am today. By educating myself, I am able to provide my patients with the best and highest quality care imaginable.” 

• Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY Class of 2003 
• Masters of Science in Exercise Physiology, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY Class of 2005 
• Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, Scholl School of Podiatry at Rosalind Franklin University Medical Center, North Chicago, IL Class of 2009 
• Residency in Foot & Ankle Surgery, Long island Jewish Medical Center/NSLIJ Health systems, Long Island, NY Class of 2012 

Highly Qualified “By continually educating myself and attending local and national seminars, workshops and conferences I stay abreast of new therapies to help my patients in all aspects of Foot and Ankle care.” 

• Board Qualified in Foot Surgery by the American Board of Podiatric Surgeons 
• Board Eligible in Reconstructive Rearfoot & Ankle Surgery 
• Member, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons 
• Certified, Foot and Ankle Arthroscopy