Foot Fractures Can Signal Osteoporosis
Unexplained foot pain or foot fracture can actually be an early sign of osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease that weakens bones and can lead to fractures or breaks.
Osteoporosis often progresses without any symptoms or is not diagnosed until a person experiences pain from a bone fracture. Bones with osteoporosis are in a weakened state and normal weightbearing actions such as walking, can cause bones in the foot to break. Many of the patients who come to my office with foot pain discover they actually have a hairline break in the bone (stress fracture) without having experienced an injury.
While osteoporosis is most commonly seen in women over age 50, younger people and men are also affected. Early symptoms can include increased pain with walking accompanied by redness and swelling on the top of the foot.
If you are living with osteoporosis, it as important to protect your feet from stress fractures. I recommend the following to keep your feet safe and comfortable:
1. Wear shoes designed for the exercise or sport.
Athletic shoes that support your arch and cushion the heel are the best to wear. Custom orthotics may also help provide extra support and shock absorption.
2. Start new workouts gradually.
Be sure to stretch and warm up for your workout and begin new exercise routines gradually. Increase your exercise intensity by only ten per cent each week. If your feet get sore, use rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE).
3. Protect your feet from bacteria.
Sweaty shoes and public showers at the gym are breeding grounds for bacteria, including MRSA. Never go barefoot while in public areas and be sure to cover cuts and cracks in your skin or ingrown toenails to help keep out germs. If you have a cut or scrape that becomes infected and does not heal in a timely manner, call my office to have it examined.
If you are suffering from unexplained foot pain, schedule an appointment with my office for a proper diagnosis.
Dr. Ruth Ann Cooper
Regenerative Medicine is using medical procedures that promote self-healing. Swift treatment for warts was approved by the FDA in late 2018. The procedure was developed in Scotland and has been used in the United Kingdom for several years. I have been using the Swift treatment for warts for several months. What is Swift and how does it work? Swift microwave is designed to promote your local immune response and allow your body to heal itself. Swift treatment results in a degree of localized tissue stress promoting a healing response, recruiting antibodies and stimulating a heat shock production. Swift treatment of warts has shown positive results for my patients. I have seen as many as twenty-three warts resolve as a result of the Swift treatment. No medication, no bandages and non-invasive. You can find out more on the Plantar Wart Therapy page on my website.
Dr. Ruth Ann Cooper
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