AF&A Blog

If you’ve been able to spend some time on the slopes this season, you may have found a plethora of ways to spend your time other than skiing. Snowboarding is one option that has become extremely popular. This sport is quite different from skiing in many aspects and it is important to obtain quality instruction before you begin. Assuming you’ve done this and have all the proper equipment, you are well on your way to enjoying a day on the slopes. Planning ahead and taking proper precaution should keep you safe, but there are often unexpected injuries. While the knees and ankles are of prime concern in skiing, snowboarding is easier on the knees but still problematic for the ankle. Actually, one of the most common lower extremity injuries seen in this sport is the ‘Snowboarder’s Ankle”.

This injury is more likely to occur if you have sprained the ‘outside’ of you ankle before. Weakening of these ligaments may contribute to this injury, so it is important to allow yourself ample time to recover from any injury and to keep those muscled toned and strong. What actually occurs in a ‘Snowboarder’s Ankle’ is a fracture of the talus. The talus is the bone that unites the foot and the leg. If you feel along the outside of the bottom of your leg, from the top down, that big bump is the end of your fibula. Just below that is the lateral process of the talus or the part that is fractured during snowboarding. Bruising, swelling or pain in this area is a sign of damage to the structures in this area and a prompt visit to Austin Foot & Ankle Specialists should be on the top of your list. This type of fracture is often hard to detect and may be overlooked by other medical specialists. The key to minimizing any damage or continued trauma to this injury is early detection and treatment.

Remember to stay safe on the slopes and call Dr. Thomajan’s office should problems arise!

With winter in full swing, you are sure to be getting out to the slopes if you haven’t already. You’re probably wondering what your feet have to do with zipping down the mountain on a pair of skis. Well, if your feet are positioned properly, not much. The problem comes in, as with many things, if you don’t have a good foundation. You can avoid a lot of problems by knowing your foot type and having the proper equipment.

A custom orthotic may be the ‘proper equipment’ for daily life. A visit to Dr. Thomajan at Austin Foot and Ankle Specialists will identify your foot type and fit you to the proper orthotic. By wearing orthoses, your feet will be given the proper support in the proper places. These small corrections will allow all the muscle in your feet and legs to function as they should, strong and avoiding injury. This is the same idea you should keep in mind when you’re out on the slopes.

Skiing can be lots of fun if you feet are in the proper position. Make sure that your ski boots fit snuggling and support your ankles. The joints of your body, especially those of your leg, are the most likely places for sports injuries to occur. Ill fitting equipment is a sure way to invite injuries. Proper support for you foot and ankle will lessen the chance of injury. In the case that something does go wrong, an assessment by your podiatrist soon after can decrease the chance of any complications or further injuries. Until next time, stay safe on the slopes!

While the temperature in Austin doesn’t fall below freezing too often, this is the time of year when we should all take extra care to watch our steps. Those unseen patches of ice, especially ‘black’ ice, can catch us off guard. While it might be more embarrassing to tumble to the ground, twisting or turning your ankle while staying upright may prove just as perilous.

Twisting your ankle can happen in an instant. You are probably quick to regain your footing but the pain and tenderness that remain alert you that something may be wrong. The worst thing you can do is to ‘walk it off.’ An easy acronym to remember, RICE, is your first line of defense for limiting ankle damage. Used by a variety of healthcare professionals, RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. These steps will help to limit any further damage to the ligaments that hold your foot and leg together at the ankle. Follow this initial treatment with a visit to Austin Foot & Ankle Specialists. A physical evaluation, along with x-rays, will be done to assess the extent of the damage that occurred. Based on these finds, your podiatrist will use special taping and compression as initial treatment though more advanced treatments may be necessary for more problematic injuries.

Ankle injuries can occur at any time, but icy winters increase your chances. Rubber bottom shoes or boots with good ankle support are a few footwear choices that can help you avoid these problems, but a little extra caution and care can go a long way. Until next time, stay safe and keep your feet and ankles healthy!

The beginning of the year is always a great time to start anew and attempt to change those bad habits for good ones.  Most of us should start an exercise program or find some way to get more exercise.  Whether just staying healthy or trying to combat diabetes, the benefit of exercise is great and we should all try to stay more active.  Whichever activity you chose to make part of your day will most likely involve you being on your feet a little more.  Because this is a change for your body and is putting more stress on your feet, it is not unlikely that you will find yourself in some amount of discomfort.  The increased pressure on you feet may exacerbate small problems that you paid no mind in the past.  Too often it’s the pain or discomfort that causes us to fall away from our plan of getting more exercise.  Don’t let your foot pain cause your activity plan to fall apart.    Plan a visit to Austin Foot & Ankle Specialists before you begin a new level of physical activity.  A quick Gaitscan can identify potential problems and put you in the proper shoe or shoe insert to help you avoid them.

Winter activities provide a few additional challenges to keeping your feet safe.  For starters, try to wear thick socks that will both keep your feet warm and allow excess moisture to wick away keeping them dry.  Remember to take extra time to properly ‘warm-up’ and stretch those muscles during cold.  Additionally, you should discuss your winter activities with your podiatrist and make sure you are using the proper shoes with the proper fit to protect your feet.

Start your new year on the right foot and visit Austin Foot & Ankle Specialists!