As sandal season is fast approaching, many people will be looking for a shoe or sandal that offers support and style. As shoe gear becomes more minimal in the warmer months, it is imperative to also maintain comfort and support. It’s crucial to understand why supportive footwear matters. Our feet bear the weight of our entire body and improper support can lead to many issues including arch pain, heel pain and even injuries. Supportive shoes provide stability, cushioning, and proper alignment, keeping our feet happy and healthy.

In this guide, we’ll explore the world of supportive summer shoe wear, ensuring you can step out in style without compromising on foot health.

Tips for choosing summer shoes:

• Prioritize comfort with factors including arch support, cushioning and stability
• Consider your summer activities and how to plan accordingly with shoes that are appropriate
• Quality: While certain brands do come with a higher price tag, many will provide long lasting support and comfort.

Top Picks for Supportive Summer Sandals

1. Birkenstock: Provide excellent arch support and have a cork sole that will contour to your foot. These come in multiple styles.
2. Vionic: Offer sandals with built in orthotic support and cushioning.
3. Oofos: These sandals also come in many different styles including slides. These offer good arch support and cushioning.
4. Teva: Provide anatomically shaped soles while also providing adjustable straps to customize the fit. This offers a more supportive sandal for activities such as hiking, rafting and exploring.
5. Chaco: Similar to the Teva, these sandals are a great option for outdoor activities.

Athletic wear is also an important consideration as individuals begin to increase their exercise and walking routines with the warmer weather. When it comes to looking for good athletic shoes, things to look for include:

• A stable sole that doesn’t allow for excessive bending or rotation
• Arch support
• Cushioning
• A stable heel upper that will allow for better control of the foot

There are multiple brands that offer a high quality athletic shoe. Most important is following the tips listed above to find a quality tennis shoe that will offer adequate support. Some of my recommendations include:

1. Brooks
2. Hoka
3. New Balance
4. Saucony
5. Nike
6. Adidas
7. Asics

As spring and summer shoe options have continued to improve, you can make the most of the season with supportive footwear that keeps you feeling your best and on your feet.  To work with one of our podiatry specialist, Dr. Facer, call us at (812)-477-1558.

Ankle sprains are among the most common orthopedic injuries, often occurring during physical activities or even simple daily movements. Ankle sprains typically result from sudden twisting or rolling motions of the ankle joint beyond its normal range of motion. We commonly see these caused by: Sports Injuries, walking or running on uneven surfaces, previous injuries to the ankle and lack of proper footwear.

Symptoms of an ankle sprain can include:

• Pain: immediate pain at the site of the injury, which may worsen with movement
• Swelling/bruising: Can occur around the ankle and even into the foot
• Instability: Difficulty bearing weight on the affected ankle, with a feeling of weakness or instability

Prompt diagnosis and treatment are imperative in a quick recovery after an ankle sprain. Diagnosis will include physical examination which allows us to evaluate the severity of the injury and stability of the ankle. Imaging tests are also performed to rule out fractures or other abnormalities. In cases of severe sprains or suspected ligament tears, advanced imaging techniques, such as ultrasound or MRI, are performed to assess soft tissue damage.

Treatment:

Common approaches include:

1. RICE therapy: Rest, Icing the affected area 15-20 minutes every few hours, Compression to reduce swelling and allow for support and Elevation to minimize swelling
2. Physical Therapy: Physical therapy is an important component to the effective treatment and recovery in an ankle sprain. Engaging in PT allows for improvement in strength, flexibility, and proprioception to prevent future injuries.
3.  Bracing: Bracing provides additional support and stability during the recovery process
4. Medication: Steroids or NSAIDs(non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen may help to alleviate pain, swelling and discomfort

In severe cases involving ligament tears or fractures, surgical intervention may be necessary to restore stability and function to the ankle joint.

Understanding the causes, recognizing symptoms, obtaining a proper diagnosis, and following appropriate treatment measures are essential for effectively managing ankle sprains and minimizing the risk of long-term complications. Seeking prompt medical attention and following rehabilitation protocols can facilitate a faster and more complete recovery, allowing individuals to return to their daily activities and sports with confidence. Call us at (812)-477-1558 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Braxton Facer.

Bunions are a common foot condition characterized by a bony bump forming at the inside of the big toe joint. While often seen as a cosmetic concern, bunions can lead to discomfort and impact daily activities and quality of life. Understanding the causes, diagnosis, and treatment options for bunion deformity is essential for effective management and relief.

Causes of Bunion Deformity:

1. Genetics: Certain foot shapes and inherited structural abnormalities can predispose individuals to developing bunions.
2. Footwear: Wearing tight, narrow, or high-heeled shoes can force the toes into unnatural positions, contributing to bunion formation over time.
3. Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can increase the likelihood of bunions forming.

As a physician, it is important to perform a physical examination, gather information about the patient’s symptoms, lifestyle, and footwear habits. This can help in diagnosing and understanding the severity of the bunion. Performing imaging tests like X-rays can provide detailed images of the foot’s structure, helping to confirm the presence of a bunion and assess its severity.

Treatment of Bunion Deformity: 

Treatment can include both conservative and surgical measures.

Conservative measures include:

• Footwear modifications: Wearing shoes with a wider toe box can help alleviate pressure on the bunion.
• Padding and splinting: Padding the bunion and using splints or orthotic devices can help temporarily realign the toe and reduce discomfort.
• Pain management: Over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications can help manage bunion-related discomfort. Injections may even be performed in an arthritic bunion deformity to reduce pain and discomfort..
• Custom orthotics: Prescription orthotic devices can provide support and help correct abnormal foot mechanics, reducing bunion progression.

Surgical measures include:

• In cases where conservative measures fail to provide relief, surgical intervention may be necessary to correct the deformity and alleviate symptoms. With the advancements in technology and research, we can offer multiple solutions to bunion correction.

Here at Tri-State Orthopaedics, our team has the experience and expertise to confidently treat your bunion deformity. By working with our specialists and adopting appropriate treatment plans, individuals can find relief from bunion-related symptoms and improve their overall foot health. To work with one of our podiatry specialist, Dr. Facer, call us at (812)-477-1558.

Replacing a disc in the neck can alleviate neck pain that is stopping patients from performing everyday activities. Our spine is stacked with two components: vertebrae (bone) and discs. Discs act as shock absorbers, allowing your spine and neck to bend, flex, and rotate. Let’s look further into cervical disc pain and replacement.

Pain can include:

• Severe neck pain
• Numbness and tingling in one or both arms
• Shooting pain in the arm
• Weakness of the arm

Management

Patients often undergo a trial period of non-surgical care which is often successful. This six-week trial of non-surgical care will determine if the patient is a candidate for cervical disc replacement.
Six-week non-surgical trial includes:

• Rest
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Physical therapy with traction on the neck
• Epidural steroid injections

If this six-week trial is unsuccessful, the patient will become a candidate for cervical disc replacement surgery. (more…)

Join us for the 4th annual Total Joint Trek at the Ascension St. Vincent Orthopedic Hospital! This event was sponsored by the in the area, and established to promote well-being and inspire individuals with joint replacements to lead active, healthy lifestyles. Total Joint Trek is a great way to get out and support others who have common background while working towards improving yourself!

For more information visit our website : www.totaljointtrek.com
Sign up for the event online: https://forms.gle/E2aNPExi8dtoWarR8

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) physicians are medical doctors who have completed training in the specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation. They are also known as physiatrists. They treat a wide variety of medical conditions affecting the nerves, bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons. Some physiatrists complete advanced fellowship training for subspecialty certification.  Dr Wetzel has completed a pain fellowship and has extensive training in image guided injections.

PM&R physicians treat patients of a variety of ages, and focus on improving function. They have a broad medical expertise that allows them to treat disabling conditions throughout a persons lifetime. They can help determine and lead a treatment/prevention plan. They work with physical therapist and occupational therapist to optimize patient care.

PM&R physicians have completed four years of medical school, followed by four additional years of PM&R residency. Fellowship training is additional time there after.

PM&R is often called the quality of life profession, because it’s aim is to enhance patient performance. There is a holistic focus not on one part of the body, but instead on the development of a comprehensive program for putting the pieces of a person’s life back together after injury or disease.

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As a patient of Tri-State Orthopaedics, you can pay your bill online at Make a Payment with your account number and date of birth. When on the Tri-State homepage, click on “Patient Info” and go to “Make a Payment”. If you have issues or need assistance accessing Online Payment, please contact our billing company: 812-492-4867 or Toll Free: 866-876-8702.

Thank you for choosing Tri-State Orthopaedics!

What is a separated shoulder?

Separated shoulder, also known as AC joint separation occurs from a direct fall on or blow to the shoulder. This injury accounts for 9%-12% of shoulder injuries. Continue reading to learn more about recognizing and treating AC joint separation.

Understanding the anatomy

Three bones form the shoulder joint: the humerus (upper arm bone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the clavicle (collarbone).  The AC joint, short for acromioclavicular joint, is where the clavicle meets the highest portion of the scapula, the acromion, and is held together by the acromioclavicular (AC) ligament and coracoclavicular (CC) ligament.

Who gets AC joint separation?

This most often occurs in men in their 20’s who participate in contact sports like football, hockey, and wrestling.  However, it can occur in anyone with a traumatic injury to the shoulder.

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What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Picture this – you wake up in the middle of the night to a painful numbness or tingling in your hand. At first you think your hand is just asleep but this sensation doesn’t go away. If this is something you have experienced, you might be dealing with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that affects the nerve of your wrist. This can cause pain, numbness, and tingling in your hand. This condition affects the thumb, pointer, middle, and part of the ring finger.

Cause

The cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is inflammation of the nerve at the wrist. The inflammation causes swelling of the nerve in a confined space which results in increased pressure on the nerve. This pressure causes the nerve dysfunction. Nerve dysfunction leads to the numbness and tingling sensation that people experience. There is no single cause that leads to Carpal Tunnel. However, one of the most common causes is repetitive movement.

Treating orthopedic conditions, including sports injuries and arthritis, with regenerative therapies such as Stem Cell Therapy and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is becoming more mainstream.

Peyton Manning reportedly traveled to Europe in 2011 for stem-cell therapy to treat a neck injury while playing for the Colts (Manning has not publicly acknowledged this).  Andrew Luck also reportedly received PRP and stem cell therapy in 2015 to treat a shoulder injury.  The truth is, that stem cell therapy has been widely used by elite athletes for quite some time.  Hundreds of NFL players have been treated with stem cell therapy as reported in Sports Illustrated.  The magazine noted on how running back Chris Johnson was treated with stem cells from his bone marrow to rebuild his cartilage after a knee injury.

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