Selecting the right time to visit the doctor can be difficult. It's best to consult an orthopedist as soon as possible for orthopedic issues or injuries. Orthopedic injuries or conditions can have an effect on all aspects of daily life and negatively impact them.Listed below are a few reasons why you should make an appointment to see an orthopedic specialist.Persistent PainIt is normal to experience some muscle or joint pain, particularly following an injury. But when pain increases and gets worse over time, it is time to see an orthopedist. Persistent pain in the joints and/or muscles may be a symptom of an orthopedic condition.Limited/ Restricted Range of MotionRestricted movement can be frustrating in normal circumstances, but when it starts affecting daily tasks, it can become a real issue. A limited range of movement can be a sign of arthritis or a possible injury.FracturesFractures quickly begin to heal following the initial trauma. To heal properly, some fractures may require further care. In order to prevent improper healing, an orthopedist needs to be able to properly assess and determine the plan of care for a fracture before the fracture starts to heal.InjuryOrthopedic injuries can affect daily life in a multitude of ways. Whether the injury is causing limited movement or restricting daily activities, an orthopedist will be able to help put a plan of care into action in order to get you back to doing the things you love.An orthopedist can help determine the cause behind the symptoms and begin to treat the issue. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms, please call our office at 239-325-4090 to schedule an appointment for an evaluation.

A flat-footed deformity is a common orthopedic foot and ankle complaint. Many of these deformities are painless, often in children who are born with a flat-foot deformity that never developed symptoms.However, there are adults who initially had a normal arched foot but later in life developed a flat-foot deformity, which became painful. This is termed a painful adult-acquired flatfoot deformity.The painful adult-acquired flatfoot deformity occurs when the posterior tendon becomes incompetent either by attrition or rupture.On physical examination, the patient complains of midfoot pain over the medial side of the foot. They may also complain of swelling over the midfoot. Many people complain of their arches falling or losing their arch.On clinical examination, the patient will have a flatfoot deformity. They will have tenderness over the posterior tibial tendon. The patient will be unable to perform a single-leg heel raise.There are non-surgical treatment options, including custom orthotics, a UCBL (University of California, Berkeley) brace, an AFO (ankle foot orthosis), and a gauntlet (Arizona) brace.If conservative treatment fails, then surgical treatments include a variety of procedures to reconstruct the flatfoot deformity.If you or someone you know has a painful flatfoot deformity, contact our office for further evaluation and treatment.

Ankle instability is a commonly seen orthopedic foot and ankle condition that occurs after ankle sprains. Sometimes ankle instability can occur in people with a cavovarus "high arch" foot or in people with genetic conditions causing ligament laxity. With ankle instability, loose or stretched-out ligaments fail to support the ankle joint, causing the ankle to "give out." Symptoms of ankle instability include the sensation of the ankle giving out or frequent turning or twisting of the ankle, especially on uneven surfaces. Often, physical therapy and bracing can be effective in treating ankle instability without surgical intervention. Occasionally, after months of conservative intervention, surgery may be warranted. Surgical intervention includes reconstruction of the ankle ligaments. If you have symptoms of ankle instability after an ankle sprain contact our office at (239) 325 - 4090 for a consultation.

Running is very accessibleit doesn't require any special equipment or a gym membershipwhich is why so many individuals decide to do it. Running can take a toll on the body, especially when the body is not used to the training or the training intensity changes too much in a short period of time. Injuries are more likely to occur when running without the proper warm-up or attire.Listed below are some common injuries that runners may face, as well as signs and symptoms to look out for.Plantar FasciitisThe plantar fascia is a band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the base of the toes. It supports the arch at the bottom of the foot. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the fascia tissue that links the heel to the base of the toes becomes inflamed. One of the main symptoms of plantar fasciitis is pain in the heel, especially after exercise or first thing in the morning.Achilles TendonitisThe achilles tendon is the band of tissue that connects the calf muscles at the back of the leg to the heel bone. Achilles tendonitis is an overuse injury to the achilles tendon. Symptoms can include a mild to severe ache or pain in the back of the leg or above the heel. Tenderness and stiffness in the morning, which gets better with activity, can also occur.IT (Iliotibial) Band SyndromeThe IT band is a thick band of tissue (ligament) that runs on the outside of the leg; it starts at the hip and extends to the outer side of the shinbone below the knee joint. IT band syndrome occurs when the band of tissue gets swollen and irritated from rubbing against the hip or knee bone. Symptoms can include hip or knee pain, redness, and warmth around the outside of the knee. The symptoms may start after exercise, and as they worsen, you will feel pain during exercise and during rest periods.Runners KneeRunners knee is a dull and aching pain that is felt behind the knee cap, especially where it meets the femur. Symptoms of runner's knee can include swelling, popping or grinding of the knee, and pain around or behind the knee.Ankle SprainAnkle sprains are one of the most common injuries that occur at all ages and at all activity levels. Ankle sprains occur when the ankle ligaments are stretched beyond their limits and tear. Sprains can range from a tiny tear to a complete tear of the ligament. Symptoms of ankle sprains can include swelling, pain, bruising, tenderness, and instability of the ankle.FracturesFractures are breaks or cracks in a bone. There are different kinds of fractures and different severities. Symptoms of fractures can include swelling, bruising, tenderness, or deformity. Fractures can occur in most bones; the most common area for fractures to occur in runners is in the foot or ankle.If you are experiencing any of the conditions or symptoms listed above, please call our office at 239 - 325 - 4090 to schedule an appointment for evaluation.

Great toe arthritis is a common cause of big toe pain. Symptoms of hallux rigidus include swelling and stiffness of the great toe. There can be a mild to severe loss of range of motion in the great toe. Most patients describe their pain as being dull and achy, but occasionally it can be sharp. Hallux rigidus is typically insidious in onset and occurs over time as the articular cartilage of the great toe wears away. Less often, trauma, including fractures or dislocations of the great toe joint, can injury the articular cartilage and lead to hallux rigidus. Other causes of great toe arthritis can include, but are not limited to, recurrent gouty arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.Radiographs and a clinical examination are needed to make the diagnosis of great toe arthritis. Advanced imaging, such as an MRI or CT scan, is not typically needed to aid in the diagnosis. Radiographs will demonstrate varying degrees of arthritis. Occasionally, radiographs will demonstrate only a "cheilos", or bone spur, on the top of the great toe. Commonly, the radiographs will also show joint space narrowing.Clinically, the patient may have a stiff, swollen toe. The grind test can help determine if there is global arthritis throughout the joint.Conservative treatment options include Tylenol, oral anti-inflammatory medications, orthotics, selective steroid injections, and activity modification.Surgical intervention depends on the severity of the arthritis. A Cheilectomy is performed solely to remove a spur on the top of the great toe. There are many treatments for severe arthritis of the great toe. Great toe joint replacements and interpositional arthroplasty, where a tissue graft or an inert product is placed in the joint to act as a spacer, are offered. Unfortunately, the long term results of these procedures are not good. The gold-standard treatment is an arthrodesis or fusion of the great toe.If you are having pain and stiffness in the great toe, contact our office at (239) 325 - 4090 for further evaluation. 

Spinal stenosis occurs when the space in the spinal cord is too narrow, which puts pressure on the nerves that pass through the spinal canal. The majority of cases of spinal stenosis affect individuals over 50. The most common areas that spinal stenosis affects are the neck (cervical spine) and the lower back (lumbar spine).The diagnosis of spinal stenosis requires a clinical examination as well as imaging studies like MRIs and x-rays.Lower back pain, pain running down one or both legs, weakness in the legs and feet, numbness in the legs and feet, tingling in the legs and feet, and cramping in one or both legs after standing or during walking are all symptoms of spinal stenosis in the lower back.Neck pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the hands, arms, or fingers, and pain running down the arms are all possible symptoms of spinal stenosis in the neck, as well as difficulties walking and balancing.Spinal stenosis results from a condition that reduces the available space for the spinal cord or nerves. The amount of space in the spinal canal might shrink due to conditions such as bone spurs, herniated discs, and thick ligaments. Spinal stenosis can also be a result of a spinal injury.The severity of the problem will determine the options that are available. Strengthening, preserving, and enhancing flexibility and stability, as well as enhancing balance, are all things that physical therapy may help with. Steroid injections are another treatment option.Surgery could be an option if conservative approaches fail. There are many minimally invasive surgical solutions; one option is a laminectomy, in which the surgeon removes the lamina, the back section of the spinal bone, to assist in relieving pressure.If you are having symptoms of spinal stenosis, contact our office at 239-325-4090 to get an appointment scheduled for an evaluation.