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Doctor’s Senior Exercise & Health NewsletterSeptember 1, 2003 Issue Vol. 3 No. 9
In This Newsletter Health HintsIntroduction*** The Doctor’s Senior Exercise & Health Newsletter is written monthly, solely for information to help seniors, baby boomers and anyone who may have an interest in staying healthy, living a vigorous, active lifestyle and combating the aging process. It does not constitute the practice of medicine and is not meant to prescribe treatments. It is offered strictly as an educational aid. Any medical problems you may have, we recommend that you seek the help of your physician or other healthcare professional. Discussing your intentions with your doctor is always the proper procedure. The newsletter also includes know-how in the form of useful tips and links to more extensive material on the Internet. You may wish to share this newsletter by sending a copy to a friend, neighbor or relative and suggesting they subscribe to it. Website: http://www.doctorsexercise.com How to subscribe: Click Newsletter on left menu at website for more info and to subscribe or browse directly to: http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/dsenews E-Mail address: newsletter@doctorsexercise.com Healthfully Yours*** Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome…Approximately 90 % of the population has suffered or will suffer from foot pain at one time or another. Pains in the feet can be extremely debilitating. These pains can be due to many different causes. Some of these causes can be due to fallen arches (pes planus), metatarsalgia, Morton’s neuroma, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and/or a biomechanical instability, such as toeing in or out and heel spurs, just to name a few. Another, often overlooked condition is called “Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome”(TTS) and is very prevalent, and quite often overlooked. In this Newsletter we will concentrate mainly on this condition. Tarsal tunnel syndrome is very similar to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, a condition most people are acquainted with. The practical difference between the two is that one causes pains in the feet and the other in the hands and wrists. In the foot the tarsal tunnel refers to a fibro-osseous canal, and within this canal there are several tendons, arteries, veins and nerves, the main nerve being the posterior tibial. When an inflammation occurs, regardless of the condition, tarsal tunnel syndrome can be the result. Repetitive types of jobs and sports can be a causative factor due to the excessive stresses placed on the feet. These are jobs where the employee has to remain on their feet for long periods of time, usually on a hard surface, such as concrete. It also affects those that engage in athletics where there is a pounding on the feet, such as runners, tennis players, basketball players, etc. Sprains of the foot or ankle can also be a factor for the onset of tarsal tunnel syndrome. The pain is often worse on ambulation and relieved by rest. Tapping the nerve will often increase the pain and even send radiating pains along the nerve to a distal site. The onset of the symptoms may be gradual at first and then become intense and constant as the condition progresses. These symptoms can become worse at night and the pain can radiate into the inner side of the calf. As previously mentioned, the prevalence of this disorder is due to the fact that so many people spend an inordinately amount of time on their feet, due to occupation or strenuous sports activities. It is extremely important that these individuals wear the proper fitting shoes. In tarsal tunnel syndrome, the individual will often complain of a burning and tingling pains in and around the ankle and very often extending to the toes. When swelling occurs, the individual should seek advice from their healthcare professional for a definitive diagnosis. Other causes may be present such as a fracture, phlebitis, and microscopic tears in a tendon, a rheumatic disorder, arthritis, or scar tissue from a previous sprain. As we mentioned ill-fitting shoes above, these shoes can also be a causative factor in the formation of heel spurs. Because of this scenario, many people are plagued with them. Pain usually starts in the heel with a burning or sharp stabbing pain. That usually is the prelude to the start of heel spurs. When heel spurs develop due to prolonged pressure, they can also be the cause of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Tendons inserted at the heel and stretch to the forefoot can possibly be impacted by these heel spurs. These tendons become stretched, swollen and inflamed, and cause tightness in the tarsal tunnel. It is this tightness that places pressures on the nerve and the surrounding tissues, and is the cause of the ensuing pain. Heel spurs develop on the heel bone. It is the largest bone in the foot and is one of 33 bones of the foot, and is called the calcaneous. The spurs occur usually on the inner border, due to the great amount of pressure placed on it. The plantar fascia, a broad band of fibrous tissue is attached to the heel bone. Due to this enormous pressure and other biomechanical entities present, such as an extremely high arch or pronation (turning in) of the feet, the plantar fascia will pull away from the bone, causing an inflammation and stretching of the plantar fascia. When this occurs, calcium starts to form on the heel, usually the inner border. As the condition progresses without treatment, these bony spickules become larger (heel spurs) and the pain becomes more intense and constant during standing, walking, running, etc. Any of the above scenarios can progress to tarsal tunnel syndrome. As suggested previously, the patient should consult with his/her health professional for a proper examination and a definitive diagnosis. Once you know your condition, there are several ways to help yourself. Read about a regime that may help alleviate the pain in the Health Hints below. Health Hints***
Following these Health Hints may be able to put you on the road to living a more product way of life. You will be able to work, engage in the sports you like and be more vigorous in everyday living. It may also prevent surgery to decompress the impacted nerves in the tarsal tunnel, or remove the heel spurs. Doc Cane Copyright, Disclaimer, and Trademark information Copyrightã 1997-2003 Emanuel M. Cane. All rights reserved. Except stated below, this material or parts thereof may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed by any means whatsoever without explicit, written permission from the author. ************* You may circulate copies of the Doctor’s Senior Exercise & Newsletter by Manually forwarding it, providing you forward the issue in it’s entirety, no fee is involved, and you may forward no more than three issues to any one individual. You may not attach advertising or otherwise modify the text of the newsletter. |
