About a month ago, I was in a car accident on the highway and if you know anything about car accidents, my whiplash is in full effect. Over the course of this past month, I have experienced numerous bouts of back pain. I usually shrug it off or ask my wonderful roommate for a back rub.

However, I can finally say good-bye and adios to my unwelcomed pain. Here at HFAA we sell Biofreeze. If you have not heard of Biofreeze, you are about to be enlightened! Biofreeze is a topical ointment that can be purchased as a spray, roll-on, gel, or sponge applicator.

Biofreeze blocks pain receptors from going to your brain and works much better than ice! Ice usually makes you stiff, numb and uncomfortable. Biofreeze soothes any pain you may be experiencing with a nice calming effect. I know Cindy has written an extensive article on the awesome power of Biofreeze, so stay tuned for even more great information!

Now, when you have a sudden ache or pain and no one offers to rub your back or feet… do not panic! Call or visit Heartland Food and Ankle Associates today to find out more about Biofreeze. Don’t ignore your body when it’s in pain, BioFreeze can help!

I’m a huge fan of high heels. They make your legs look slim, give you that super model height, and who doesn’t love a extra bit of glitter and sparkle when they’re going out? But, if you’re anything like me, you know that your feet are going to be hurting after the first 10 minutes of going out on the town and will bring along an extra pair of stylish flats or sandals to swap them out with, then repeating that process over and over during the course of the night.  This process may help relieve the high heel pain temporarily, but switching back and forth can actually cause more harm than good. 

The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body and attaches the calf muscles to the heel bone.  This tendon can become inflamed by switching back and forth from flats to high heels.  When the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed and irritated that is called Achilles tendonitis and can cause a lot of pain, and if left untreated may even lead to a rupture in the tendon!

Now you won’t need to go to extreme lengths to ease pain and inflammation of the Achilles tendon like Victoria Beckham and Kelly Brook have with injections to the pads of the feet.  Instead, there are few easy exercises that you can perform to help ease pain and inflammation.

Wall Stretch
1. Stand and lean against a wall with one foot in front of the other.  The front leg/knee will be locked and the other bent.  At this time, lean forward and you will feel a pull in your calf muscles.
2. Hold the stretch for 15 seconds & alternate which leg is in front.
3. Relax for 15 seconds & do 10 REPS per leg.
4. Repeat this exercise 2-3 times a day.

Stairs Stretch
1.  While standing on the stairs face "UP" and hold on to the banister.
2.  Slowly let your heels fall down to the step below, stretching your calf muscles (you will feel a pull in your calf muscles).
3.  Relax for 15 seconds & do 10 REPS total (both legs at the same time)
4.  Repeat this exercises 2-3 times a day.

Toes to Your Nose
1. While seated, point/bend your toes and front of your foot up towards your face.  You may use a towel or stretching band wrapped around your foot for a stronger stretch. You will feel a stretch both in your calf muscles and the bottom of your feet.
2. Hold this position for 15 seconds.
3. Alternate doing this with the opposite foot; perform the stretch 10 times per foot.
4. Perform this exercise 2- 3 times a day.

Stretching regularly will help with the pain and inflammation.  Also, make sure that if you are sporting a pair of flats that they’re supporting your foot and arch and can pass the ‘twist test’.  Check out the ‘What is a Good shoe?’ blog to find out how to perform the twist test on your shoes.

I recently returned from Mexico for a much needed vacation. I got to experience many different things including jet skiing and snorkeling, but the best experience by far was swimming with dolphins! I know, you’re reading this thinking, “What do dolphins have to do with feet?” Well I’m here to bring some breaking news that you may not have heard of- dolphins can be fitted for prosthetics!

Prosthetics are artificial body parts used to replace limbs or other parts of the body that people, or animals in this case, have lost due to disease injury, or birth defects.  In some cases, the prosthetic replacement may be purely aesthetic, but in many circumstances the prosthetic is necessary to restore functionality of the body part.  Common prosthetics that our office deals with include leg and foot prosthetics.  But while I was swimming with dolphins in Mexico, I learned of a new prosthetic.     

Our excursion instructor told us about a dolphin he knew that had an unknown disease that was deteriorating her tail fin, otherwise known as the 'fluke'. The best option was to amputate her tail fin, which would leave her with little to no functionality left.  She would just be able to float, unable to swim, jump, or dive. This would have taken away the animal’s joy in life and probably left her extremely depressed. The amazing people a Bridgestone Tire produced multiple prosthetic fins that the dolphin was fitted for. Finally one of the artificial fins fit her perfectly! Thanks to Bridgestone Tire the dolphin was now able to swim and do tricks again!

Just like in this ‘dolphin tale’, prosthetics can restore normal functionality to numerous different body parts-in humans and animals!  Prosthetics can help get a person back to the things they love doing.  Not just restore the normal functions of walking or writing, but allow a person to return to their passions in life- swimming, hiking, biking- whatever that may be.  If you or a loved one has any problems with an ill-fitting prosthetic please contact our office to see how we can help!

Shaquille O’Neal, better known as Shaq, has had quite an impressive basketball career, showcased by his countless awards and achievements including MVP (Most Valuable Player), Rookie of the Year, and Olympic Gold Metals. In 2011, after 19 years of basketball stardom, this 7’ 1” giant left the court for good.  Some say his abrupt retirement may be due to an Achilles tendon injury from earlier that year.

The Achillies tendonis the largest and strongest tendon in the body and attaches the calf muscles to the heel bone.  There are different levels of Achilles injuries, the most minor injury being Achilles Tendonitis, or an inflammation of the tendon.  This is commonly the result of overuse.

The Achilles tendon is also the most frequently ruptured tendon, usually as a result of a sports injury, as in Shaq’s case.  Rupture can occur while performing actions requiring explosive acceleration, such as pushing off or jumping, as frequently performed in basketball.  The tendon will tear in the weakest spot and if the force is strong enough, the tendon will completely break.

If diagnosed early on, Achilles treatment can usually be non-invasive including immobilization, icing, medications, injections, and/or physical therapy.  If left untreated, the condition may worsen and make surgery the only feasible treatment option.  For 6 months Shaq lived with his worsening condition, making surgery the best option for his life style. 

It is most typical for achillies tendon injuries to occur in men in their 40s. These ‘weekend warriors’ commonly injure their achillies when they pick up a game of basketball after weeks, months, or even years of a less active lifestyle. It is extremely important to STRETCH before exercising, and start off slow if it’s been awhile.  Dr. Lockwood and the team at HFAA can help professional and backyard athletes get back into the game- injury free!

James “Kamala” Harris entertained sold-out wrestling crowds for over 35 years in the WWE (World Wresting Entertainment), WCW (World Championship Wrestling), and WWF (World Wrestling Federation).  Whether with a backhand chop, headbutt, or savate kick, The Ugandan Giant battled wrestling superstars such as Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, and The Undertaker while millions of fans watched in awe at shows across the world and on pay per view.

In November 2011, Kamala had his left foot amputated due to complications of high blood pressure and diabetes. In December of that year, the upper left leg was amputated.  Kamala’s diabetes forced his third amputation in April of 2012, of his right foot. 

Diabetes is a serious condition where the amount of glucose in one’s blood is too high.  There are two types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2.  People with Type 1 diabetes do not produce any insulin. Those with Type 2 diabetes produce an insufficient amount of insulin, or can be insulin resistant. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes; only 5% of people with diabetes have Type 1. 

Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use glucose for energy. When you eat, the body breaks down all of the sugars and starches into glucose, which fuels the body’s cells. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can lead to diabetes complications such as heart disease, stroke and amputation, as in Kamala’s case. 

A healthy diet, active physical lifestyle, and healthy weight are all ways to decrease the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.  All diabetes need to visit a podiatrist and endocrinologist regularly to decrease the chance of diabetic complications including amputation.  Due to his loss of limbs, Kamala was forced to retire from an active career that gave thousands of hours of entertainment to fans all across the world. Don’t let your diabetes rule your life, call 309-661-9975 or click here to schedule a diabetic appointment.