Common Foot Problems: Bunions/Bunionette

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Bunion X-ray

A bunion is an unsightly bump at the base of the big toe. Because bunions don’t fit most shoes, the skin in the area can become irritated and swollen.  Bunions, hammer toes, and metatarsalgia often appear together. Although bunions tend to be hereditary, wearing shoes with too narrow a forefoot or too high a heel can bring bunions on years sooner. Sometimes bunions develop with arthritis.

Self-care begins with wearing shoes that have a low heel and don’t cramp your bunion. You may be able to have shoes stretched to fit a bunion.  If your symptoms don’t improve, see a foot specialist.

Doctor’s care may start with recommendations about specific changes to your regular shoes, such as wearing shoes with a wider forefoot or using devices such as pads. If these measures fail, you might consider surgery.

Surgery involves realigning the big toe. Part of the first metatarsal bone may be removed or reconstructed. A wire may hold the new alignment. You may have a walking boot or surgical shoe.

Bunionette

Bunionette is like a bunion, but occurs at the base of the little toe. Treatment may include wearing shoes with a wider fore-foot.

Surgery involves the removal of the bony prominence.

What Orthopedic Institute offers with pedorthic care:

  • Custom Orthotics
  • Running/Walking Analysis
  • Shoe Recommendations
  • Diabetic Foot Care
  • Amputee Foot/Toe Filler
  • Custom Bracing/ AFO
  • Shoe Modifications
  • External/Internal Heel Lifts

Dr. Watson specializes in foot and ankle medicine, and also general orthopedics.  He completed his fellowship in foot and ankle surgery at GIKK in Omaha and the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Reid Herrboldt, MS, ATC, CPED

Our pedorthist, Reid Herrboldt, has many years of field experience and specializes in diabetic care, athletics, and pediatric care for orthotics and bracing.

To make an appointment to see one of our specialists please call 605.331.5890 or 888.331.5890 E-mail: contactus@ortho-i.com

Orthopedic Institute Earns ACR Accreditation

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Congratulations to our imaging team at  Orthopedic Institute.   They have been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). MRI is a noninvasive medical test that utilizes magnetic fields to produce anatomical images of internal body parts to help physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.

The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported to the ACR Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report they can use for continuous practice improvement.

The ACR is a national professional organization serving more than 36,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.

Orthopedic Institute/ D1 Groundbreaking

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Announcing (weather permitting this time),  the groundbreaking of our new D1 Sports training facility! Along with our other partners, we will be holding a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday, June 25th, 2015 at 4:30 p.m.

Location: NW corner of 69th and Southeastern.

AGENDA
Welcome………………………………………………………………Tom Simmons, Master of Ceremonies
Past Chairman
Board of Directors, Sioux Falls Development Foundation
Remarks:
Council Member Southeast District
City of Sioux Falls………………………………………………………………………..Honorable Rick Kiley

Treasurer
Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce……………………………………………………….Tyler Haahr

Senior Principal
Legacy Development and Consulting Co………………………………………………………Norm Drake

CEO
GreatLife……………………………………………………………………………………………………….Tom Walsh

Orthopedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine Specialist
Orthopedic Institute
OI-D1 Sports Training of Sioux Falls, LLC……………………………..Keith Baumgarten, M.D.

CEO
Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital (Midwest Family Care)………………………….Blake Curd, MD.

CEO/President
Sioux Falls Storm……………………………………………………………………………………..Todd Tryon

The Groundbreaking

Closing Comments—Tom Simmons

Orthopedic Institute/ D1 Groundbreaking Rescheduled

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Groundbreaking rescheduled due to possibility of severe weather.  New date and time have been set: Thursday, June 25th, 2015 at 4:30 p.m.

Location: NW corner of 69th and Southeastern.

AGENDA

Welcome…………………………………………………………………Dale Froehlich, Master of Ceremonies
Vice Chairman
Board of Directors, Sioux Falls Development Foundation
Remarks:

Council Member Southeast District
City of Sioux Falls…………………………………………………………………………….Honorable Rick Kiley
Treasurer
Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce…………………………………………………………..Tyler Haahr
Senior Principal
Legacy Development and Consulting Co………………………………………………………….Norm Drake
CEO
Great Life……………………………………………………………………………………………………….Tom Walsh
Orthopedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine Specialist
Orthopedic Institute
OI-D1 Sports Training of Sioux Falls, LLC………………………………………Keith Baumgarten, M.D.
CEO
Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital (Midwest Family Care)………………………………..Blake Curd, M.D.
CEO/President
Sioux Falls Storm……………………………………………………………………………………………Todd Tryon

The Groundbreaking

Closing Comments—Dale Froehlich

In Pursuit of the Perfect Game: It Might not be Your Swing that Needs Correcting  

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Article by Brianna Venekamp, Sioux Falls Woman

Photos by Julie Prairie Photography, Sioux Falls

Professional athletes don’t run onto the field, dash onto the court or hit the course without proper training and a good warm-up. Yet a familiar sight on golf courses everywhere is golfers paying their fees at the clubhouse before heading straight to the first tee.

“The golf swing puts a tremendous amount of stress and force on the spine, putting golfers at a higher risk for back injuries,” explains Dr. Peter Looby, an orthopedic surgeon at the Orthopedic Institute in Sioux Falls. “Making sure your technique is sound and that you’ve taken steps to strengthen your core muscles in the off-season is the best thing you can do to help prevent unnecessary injuries.”

Dr. Looby acknowledges that hiring a personal trainer and setting up private lessons with a golf instructor is a best-case scenario that not everyone can do. However, everyone can take some steps to improve their performance before taking that first swing.

“One thing everyone is capable of doing is taking time to warm up before they hit that first shot,” Dr. Looby says.

But he cautions that even that science is changing. In recent years, researchers have learned that static stretching—the technique of holding a stretch for 20-30 seconds to lengthen and prime the muscles before intense activity—is wrong.

“Research has shown that static stretching can actually weaken your muscle by decreasing its capacity to output power,” Dr. Looby explains.  “In fact, static stretching prior to a dynamic activity like golf can actually decrease performance rather than enhance it.”

That’s one of the reasons the orthopedic Institute has partnered with GreatLife Malaska Golf & Fitness to create a golf warm-up routine.

Dynamic stretching consists of using sport-specific movements to prepare the body for activity. It involves moving through ranges of motion and holding each position for only one to five seconds. These movements often mimic the positions and movements that are involved in the actual activity—in this case, golf. The speed and reach of the movement can be increased with repetition as the muscles heat up.

“The key is to keep the stretch moving,” Dr. Looby says. “A five-minute brisk walk, or monster walks, one right after another, instead of static quad stretches, improves blood flow and slowly prepares the muscle to do the same action at a faster speed.”

Knowing the difference between static and dynamic stretching exercises and performing them consistently (and properly) will increase your range of motion, your power, and ultimately, might even reduce your handicap!

 

Slip and Fall Prevention Strategies

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With winter in full swing, it is important for you and your family to be aware of slip and fall prevention strategies.

  • Walk cautiously and wear gloves instead of putting your hands in your pockets. Your arms help keep you balanced and if you slip, you will need them to help restore your balance.
  • Wear the proper footwear. Footwear with rubber or neoprene composite soles provides better traction on ice and snow than leather or plastic. Although it may not be glamorous to wear a pair of boots, it will give you traction and keep your feet warm. If you want to wear heels or other kinds of shoes, bring an extra pair with you to change in to.
  • When you step on icy areas, take short, shuffling steps, curl your toes under and walk as flatfooted as possible. Spread your feet out slightly like a penguin. Walking like a penguin on ice increases your center of gravity.
  • Avoid carrying large loads while walking on snow or ice. If you do carrying a load on an icy walk and feel yourself falling, toss it out of the way so that you can try to break your fall.
  • Many injuries occur when entering or exiting a vehicle. When possible, use handrails, handles – anything that will help you keep your balance.
  • Help your elderly friends and relatives on snow and ice. Slips and falls can be extremely dangerous for seniors. If you are older, don’t shy away from asking others for a helping hand.
  • If you are falling, do not put all the pressure on your wrists to break your fall. Putting too much pressure on your wrists can result in wrist breaks and fractures of the elbow and hand. If you feel yourself starting to fall, try to avoid landing on your knees, wrists or back. Try to fall on a fleshy part of your body, such as your side. If you are able to relax your muscles when you fall, you may injure yourself less.

 

If you experience an injury while falling, or develop pain that persists after falling, please feel free to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists at Orthopedic Institute to determine the type of injury and its severity.

(888.331.5890)

(605.331.5890)

Don’t Let a Fall from a Ladder Ruin Your Holiday Season

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Dr. Eric S. Watson, M.D.

The holidays are right around the corner. Do you have your decorations up? If not, you might be tempted to do it soon.

Dr. Eric Watson, a lower extremity specialist with Orthopedic Institute in Sioux Falls, recommends everyone take extreme caution when using a ladder this holiday season.

According to the World Health Organization, the United States leads the world in ladder deaths. Each year, there are more than 164,000 emergency room-treated injuries and 300 deaths in the U.S. that are caused by falls from ladders

“I have worked with patients who fell from ladders on multiple occasions,” said Watson. “It generally takes six weeks for a foot or ankle injury to heal, but that is after the surgery. Most cases are surgical but we have to wait to complete the surgery until the swelling has gone down. A foot or ankle injury could really ruin your holiday season.”

Watson said the most common injuries he sees are broken ankles and feet, but it all depends on how a person falls.

“If you jump off and land on your feet you’re probably going to do some damage to your feet or ankles, but if you land on your hands, you can harm your wrists, hands or arms,” he said. “You could also fall on your back and hurt your head or neck.”

Oftentimes, falls cause injuries in several areas, Watson said.

“There is almost always an associated injury to go with the broken bones,” he said. “A common one is a compound compression fracture in your back, which is very painful.”

Watson offered these tips to avoid injuries while working on ladders:

  • Always inspect the ladder to make sure it is in good working condition. “Make sure there is no excess mud on the rungs that could cause you to slip and make sure all the ladder components are working properly,” he said.
  • Always place ladders on a level surface. “Make sure the hinges are locked out and the legs are as level as possible,” Watson said.
  • Always face the ladder when climbing and wear clothing that allows you to keep a good grip on the rungs.
  • Place the ladder as close to where you’ll be working as possible. “You don’t want to have to reach off the ladder very far,” Watson said. “The further from the center of gravity you are, the more likely you’ll tip the ladder.”
  • If possible, have someone hold the ladder. “This is especially important if you don’t have a good, level surface,” he said.
  • Never step on the top rung or the paint bucket shelf. “Do exactly as the label says and stay off,” he said. “(Ladder manufacturers) really mean it; the warning labels are there for a reason.”
  • Use a job-appropriate ladder. “You don’t need to use a 14-foot ladder to reach up three feet,” he said. “The higher up you are, the more worried you should get because the ladder will be less stable. Make sure your ladder is the appropriate height for the job.”

Some common sense and a bit of planning will go a long way in preventing ladder injuries, Watson said. “The old adage, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,’ is certainly true here,” he said.

Thank You to All of Our Veterans from Orthopedic Institute

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At Orthopedic Institute, we want to say THANK YOU for serving to all veterans who are family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and especially our patients. Here is a story shared by one of our patients, Jim Lentsch, who has served 30 years in the military reserve.

Jim Lentsch is a delightful patient who is 69 years old and has had knee problems for years and kept putting knee surgery off because he had heard so many horror stories. Then he met Dr. Michael Adler of Orthopedic Institute. He met him at the VA Hospital and really liked him and could relate to him. He did one knee in March 2014 and the other one in May 2014. Here is his story:

“I have been in the military reserve for 30 years. Desert Storm was the only time I was called up. I have spent 34 years in law enforcement in McCook County. I’m proud to be the State Captain of the South Dakota Patriot Guard Riders.   The Patriot Guard Riders is a diverse amalgamation of riders from across the nation. We have one thing in common besides motorcycles. We have an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America’s freedom and security. To learn more about the SD Patriot Guard Riders, visit http://sdpgr.com/patriot-guard-riders-amended-code-of-conduct/

Thank you, Jim, for your service and all you continue to do for our servicemen and women from Orthopedic Institute.

Orthopedic Institute Veterans Taking Care of Veterans

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Lisa TidemannAt Orthopedic Institute, we are proud of all of our employees, but we are especially proud and grateful this month for our employees who also serve in the military. Learn more about our Front Office Manager, Lisa Tidemann:

Lisa has been in the Air National Guard for over 26 years. She enlisted when she was 19 years old and is now an officer. Her career fields include Administration, Personnel, Intelligence and she is currently a Logistics Readiness Officer. She has been deployed overseas three times, for a total of 10 months.

OI has had the privilege of having Lisa as an Athletic Trainer, and she has been on the sidelines taking care of high school athletes since 2002.  She is now our Front Office Manager and still provides athletic training coverage as needed.

Thank you for your service, Lisa, from Orthopedic Institute.

Halloween Safety Tips from Orthopedic Institute

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Enjoying Halloween is all about the preparation. Finding the ideal costume, decorating the house, planning the route, purchasing the candy and decorating the perfect pumpkin. But along with the fun, there are numerous Halloween injuries. Orthopedic Institute would like to help you stay safe this Halloween with expert advice and tips.

“Unfortunately, every year we see multiple injuries that occur as a result of carving pumpkins,” says Blake Curd, M.D., a fellowship-trained hand surgeon for Orthopedic Institute. “Although fun and enjoyable, it can turn tragic when people are not careful. There are special tools designed for carving pumpkins. Most of them are serrated knives with a plastic handle. I encourage my patients to use those types of tools instead of the standard kitchen knife to avoid raising their risk of injury.”

Statistics from 2007-2011 show the following injuries around Halloween among children 18 years and younger:

  • Children, ages 10-14 sustained the greatest portion of injuries at 29 percent
  • Head injuries accounted for the greatest portion of injuries at 17 percent followed by finger/hand injuries at 14.2 percent
  • Of the finger/hand injuries sustained, 25.6 percent were lacerations and 15.2 percent were Fractures

To help reduce the risk for injury on Halloween, the AAOS and POSNA offer the following safety tips:

Pumpkin carving

  • Use a pumpkin carving kit, or knives specifically designed for carving. These are less likely to get stuck in the thick pumpkin skin.
  • Children should not carve pumpkins unless supervised closely by an adult. Some Halloween carving devices, designed especially for children, may be safe for use with parental supervision.  Younger children can use paint, markers or other non-carving decoration kits. Always carve pumpkins in a clean, dry and well-lit area and make sure there is no moisture on the carving tools or your hands.
  • Beware of sharp carving tools!  If you are cut, apply pressure with a clean cloth and elevate the area above the heart. If bleeding does not stop within 10-15 minutes or if the cut is deep, evaluation by a physician might be needed.  Make sure cuts are cleaned and dressed with clean bandages.

Trick-or-treat

  • Walk on sidewalks and never cut across yards or driveways. Obey all traffic signals and remain in designated crosswalks when crossing the street.
  • Costumes should be flame-resistant and fit properly. The child’s vision should be unobstructed by masks, face paint or hats. Costumes that are too long may cause kids to trip and fall, so trim or hem them as necessary.
  • Wear sturdy, comfortable, slip-resistant shoes to avoid falls.
  • Trick-or-treaters should only approach houses that are well lit. Both children and parents should carry flashlights to see and be seen.
  • Be aware of neighborhood dogs when trick-or-treating. Remember that these pets can pose a threat when you approach their home.
  • Avoid candles in Halloween decorations.  Instead, use non-flammable light sources, like glow sticks or artificial pumpkin lights.
  • Carry a cell phone while trick-or-treating in case of an emergency.

Have a safe and happy Halloween from Orthopedic Institute.