New York Jets cornerback Dee Milliner incurred a high ankle sprain recently that will keep him out of commission for the next month or so. The ankle has a lot of swelling, which could mean that the sprain is a Grade Two.

Since a formal diagnosis hasn’t been made public yet, Milliner doesn’t know how long he’ll be sidelined for. However, if it is a Grade 2 sprain, it’ll probably take about four to six weeks for him to heel. "We feel confident that it's healing nicely," said Rex Ryan, the Jets’ coach. Without Milliner, the team will have to rely on Antonio Allen and Ellis Lankster for cornerback.

Even the most minor ankle sprains can be very unpleasant. To get professional care for a sprained ankle, consult with podiatrist Paula F. Raugellis, DPM of Greene Podiatry Assoc Inc. Dr. Raugellis will provide you with an appropriate form of treatment based on the severity of your injury.

 How Does an Ankle Sprain Happen?
This type of injury takes place when the ligaments are torn or stretched beyond their limits. There are multiple ways that the ankle can become injured; however, even the simple act of walking may cause a sprain. If footing is lost or you are walking on uneven terrain, ankle damage may occur.

What are the Symptoms?

• Mild to moderate bruising
• Limited mobility
• Swelling
• Discoloration of the skin, depending on severity

Is there a Way to Care for my Ankle at Home?
Self-care for ankle sprains includes propping the ankle up and keeping it elevated, applying ice packs as needed, and remaining off your feet. Some may also find that wrapping the ankle with an ACE bandage and taking over-the-counter pain relievers are helpful. One of the most important things is to avoid further stress to the affected area.

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits can aid in prevention

Treatment of a Sprain
Treatment of a sprain depends on the severity.  Many times, people are told to rest and remain off their feet completely, while others are given an air cast, which will allow you to walk while stabilizing the ankle. 

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office in Waynesburg, PA. We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technologies to meet all your needs.

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Guangzhou Dongsheng Hospital and Guangzhou Social Welfare House scientists held a study that could prove acupuncture can treat heel pain effectively. Researcher Xu Xuemeng and his team experimented on 66 patients experiencing some form of heel pain. Some of the test subjects were given filiform acupuncture needle treatment, while others were administered conventional drugs.

After six months, the scientists found that the patients given acupuncture had an effectiveness rating of 97% as opposed to 76% in the control group. Acupuncture is said to be especially useful when it comes to conditions such as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis.

Your life can greatly be affected by even simple heel pain. If your heel hurts, see podiatrist Paula F. Raugellis, DPM of Greene Podiatry Assoc Inc. Dr. Raugellis can treat your heel pain.  

Causes of Heel Pain

● Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

● Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

● Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

- Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
- Wearing non-supportive shoes
- Weight change           
- Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a thing of the past.

With the advancements in technology and greater knowledge of how muscles and joints work, physical therapists can turn things around dramatically.  

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office in Waynesburg, PA. We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technologies to meet all your needs.

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The Newsroom star Jane Fonda recently went out to eat while sporting a supportive foot brace. Fonda has osteoarthritis, which might have contributed to her injury. “Arthritis hurts,” she said. “I’ve broken one foot four times and the other foot once and I’ve broken a lot of other bones too.”

Fonda is also a professional fitness instructor, and she knows that the best way to keep her bones healthy and strong is to exercise regularly. “When you’re older exercise is the number one thing you need to do to age successfully,” the actress stated. The actress has also suffered from bulimia, depression, and breast cancer and has a hip and knee replaced.

Many Americans, including Fonda, suffer from arthritis in their feet. If you need assistance with arthritis of the lower extremities, consult with podiatrist Paula F. Raugellis, DPM of Greene Podiatry Assoc Inc. Dr. Raugelliswill analyze the severity of your condition and do everything she can to reduce your pain.

Arthritic Foot Care

In an average lifetime, we walk approximately 75,000 miles. This can put a great deal of stress on the 26 bones and 30 joints that we have in our feet. As we get older, our feet lose flexibility and elasticity. Our shock absorbers weaken, and if arthritis comes into play, the joints become inflamed and distorted. Arthritic foot care and treatment would become imperative at this point.

It is best to take care of your feet by wearing well-fitted shoes. Certain conditions may develop when you wear shoes that don’t fit properly, for example hammertoes, neuroma, and bunions. Wearing shoes that have a lower heel and extra room in the shoe can help your feet be comfortable. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the arch in your foot may become problematic. Buying shoes with arch support will help; it is also a good idea to buy shoes that contour to your foot.

Alleviating Arthritic Pain
-Specific exercises may help; stretching the Achilles tendon can prevent further pain and injury. Stretching can also increase your mobility.
-Most of the pain can be alleviated with anti-inflammatory drugs, heat, as well as topical medications with Capsaicin.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office in Waynesburg, PA. We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technologies to meet all your needs.

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27 year old Michael Gregson incurred a broken ankle after a mishap with the “Big Ball Bash” halftime event during a Perinth Panthers game. The Big Ball Bash has participants split into two teams, the goal is to push a big blow-up sphere over the other team’s goal line.

While taking part in the Big Ball Bash, Gregson ran into a fellow fan, causing both men to fall to the ground. Both Gregson and the other fan were sent to a nearby hospital for treatment as a result. Although Gregson signed a waiver before taking part in the activity, he hopes the Panthers will help pay his medical bills anyway.

For help dealing with the pain of a broken ankle, consider seeing podiatrist Paula F. Raugellis, DPM of Greene Podiatry Assoc Inc. Dr. Raugellis can treat your foot and ankle injuries.

Broken Ankles

The ankle consists of three bones- the tibia, the fibula, and the talus. The tibia and the fibula are the two bones that connect to your knees. They sit directly above the talus bone, which is protected by a fibrous membrane and allows slight movement in the ankle joint. A break usually occurs in one of these bones after the foot is twisted too far, a strong impact like jumping from a great height, or repeated stresses like running.

Diagnosis

If you suffer an ankle injury, it is essential that you receive a correct diagnosis. One of the first signs that the ankle is broken is an inability to put any weight on it. There will often be severe bruising and swelling at the sight of the injury. Your doctor may also order an x-ray be taken to determine the exact location and extent of the injury.

Treatment

Without proper care, a broken ankle may not heal properly and could cause arthritis and instability later in life. Therefore, seeking proper treatment is essential to making a full recovery.

For more information about Broken Ankles, follow the link below.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office in Waynesburg, PA. We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technologies to meet all your needs.

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