Rasheed Wallace's Mysterious Foot Problem Explained

Rasheed Wallace's mysterious foot sore is no longer mysterious.
The New York Knicks confirmed on Saturday that the 38 year old center has a stress reaction and chronic condition in his left foot.
Wallace is currently listed as day-to-day but the team is optimistic he won't be sidelined for an extended period of time. The Knicks are hoping that Wallace will be ready to return within the next couple of days, after their three game West Coast trip that began on Christmas against the Lakers.
Wallace has been wearing a walking boot on his left foot. He returned to the NBA after sitting out the last two years for unspecified reasons. Wallace insists that he was never retired and has made important contributions to the team.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that the 7-foot veteran came down with a foot injury. His legs haven't dealt with pounding up and down the court in almost two years and he is heavier than when he was in his prime.
While also serving as a de facto defensive coach, Wallace has averaged 7.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 14.6 minutes. Several players have commented how essential Wallace's communication, either on the bench or on the court, has been to the Knicks' defensive success. This was the kind of leadership coach Mike Woodson was looking for when he reached out to Wallace to see if he was interested in resuming his career.
Wallace and Woodson had won a championship together in Detroit when Woodson was the top assistant on Larry Brown's staff. The Knicks' plan in the offseason was to augment their roster with playoff veterans, and ended up signing Jason Kidd and Marcus Camby, who is still suffering with plantar fasciitis. Wallace was signed just before the preseason and has been working his way back to NBA playing shape. Woodson has been careful not to push his older players, as he wants them at their healthiest for April.
If you are a basketball player and have a foot problem, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Medicine Podiatrist in CT
Podiatrist in Newington
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 Related articles

• Wallace helping Knicks on court and off

Lions' Brandon Pettigrew Missed

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has missed Brandon Pettigrew.
Tight end Pettigrew has missed the last two games because of a high ankle sprain he sustained in the first quarter of the December 9th loss against the Green Bay Packers.
"He's a really good player. Obviously he's a really good blocker in the run game and the pass game for us when he's called on to block. In the receiving game he had 57 catches before he was injured, so he's a guy in the red zone we relied on a lot and as a chain mover, too," said Stafford.
Pettigrew is the team's second-leading receiver with 57 catches for 556 yards. With receivers Nate Burleson, Titus Young, and Ryan Broyles, he was the team's most consistent receiver outside of Calvin Johnson.
Over the past two weeks the Lions have missed Pettigrew's size advantage on third down and especially in the red zone. During the season Pettigrew has 15 third down receptions for 136 yards with a touchdown. Of those 15 catches, 11 resulted in first downs. All three of Pettigrew's touchdowns occurred in the red zone, one on third down.
"Any time you have a tight end that's a mismatch for other team it's a bonus. On third down that's a short throw to have to make. Most of the time he's somewhere in front of you and with his body size and hands he creates tough matchups on third down in the red zone," said Stafford.
Head coach Jim Schwartz said there has been no change in Pettigrew's status. He did not practice on Wednesday.
If you are a football player and have a foot problem, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Medicine Podiatrist in CT
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• Santonio Holmes Needs More Surgery
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• Patriots' Stallworth Follows Edelman To Injured Reserve
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Bulls' Forward Deng Questionable After Sprain

English: Luol Deng playing with the Chicago Bulls (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Chicago Bulls small forward Luol Deng sprained his right ankle in the first quarter of Tuesday night's 120-97 loss to the Houston Rockets.
Deng stayed in the game after the injury, which we don't recommend, and played 36 minutes. He was seen limping badly (hence why you should leave the game when the injury occurred) out of the United Center.
Afterwards he said, "We'll see. I twisted my ankle in the first quarter. We'll see how it feels."
Deng should have been taken out of the game- the Bulls were already down 35 points in the second half and there was no coming back from that kind of deficit.
He has already been suffering with a strained muscle in his left shoulder, as well as a torn ligament in his wrist since he decided not to have surgery this summer on the injury. Deng has not missed a game this season, and is averaging 18 points and 8 rebounds per game.
If you are a basketball player and have a foot problem, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Medicine Podiatrist in CT
Podiatrist in Newington
Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook, and follow our tweets on Twitter. 

Related articles

• LaMarcus Aldridge Sprains Ankle
• Michigan's Max Bielfeldt Sidelined With Ankle Sprain
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• Indiana's Creek Out Indefinitely With Foot Injury
• Top Basketball Recruit Out With Broken Foot
• Chauncey Billups Out Indefinitely With Foot Injury
• Kobe Bryant Suffering From Foot Injury

Injuries From Winter Sports

In the winter months, many of us move our exercise routine indoors. From running on the health club track, participating in court sports such as basketball or tennis, or skating on the indoor ice rinks, indoor sports can cause many types of foot injuries. These may include:
Stress fractures

These tiny, hairline breaks can occur in the bones of the foot. They can be caused by overtraining or overuse, improper training habits or surfaces, improper shoes, flatfoot or other foot deformities, and even osteoporosis. Stress fractures in the bones of the feet can lead to a complete break if left untreated. Persistent pain in the foot is a warning sign that something is wrong.
Heel pain
Pain may be due to plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the band of tissue that extends from the heel bone to the base of the toes. However, pain in this area may be due to other conditions, including stress fractures, tendon problems, or even irritation to heel spurs from snug-fitting shoes and skates.
Ankle sprains
These can range from a basic ankle sprain to tendon injuries and talar dome injuries. Remember to lace up those skates to provide more support and stability to the ankle.
Achilles tendon injuries
The Achilles tendon runs down the back of the lower leg and connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. Feeling pain and tenderness in the back of your foot or heel may be Achilles tendonitis, an inflammation of the Achilles tendon. This usually develops from a sudden increase of physical activity, such as playing sports only on the weekends. Forceful jumping or pivoting, or sudden accelerations of running can overstretch the tendon and cause a tear.
Traumatic fractures
Due to the speed one can reach ice skating, traumatic fractures can occur. For example, an ice hockey player sliding into the ice rink boards feet first may result in a calcaneal (heel bone) fracture.
Remember to always warm up before activity and stretch afterwards to help prevent an injury. Custom orthotic devices and proper arch support for shoes and skates can help protect your feet. Use the appropriate shoe for your sport and foot type. If you do experience pain, make an appointment with our office for evaluation. Don't let a foot or ankle injury keep you on the sidelines this winter.
If you participate in winter sports and have a foot problem, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Medicine Podiatrist in CT
Podiatrist in Newington
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Indiana's Creek Out Indefinitely With Foot Injury

Maurice Creek just can't catch a break.
Creek has had the last three seasons cut short or wiped out due to season-ending leg injuries. Sunday Creek hurt his right foot in practice and will be out indefinitely, according to the University of Indiana's press release.
Creek tweeted that the injury was not season-ending, however. "I appreciate the love of #HoosierNation. This is not the end of my season... I will be back."
In December 2009 Creek fractured his left kneecap, and missed the rest of his freshman season. In January 2011, Creek sustained a stress fracture in his other kneecap, once again ending his season early. Later that year in October, Creek tore his Achilles walking upstairs to his apartment days before the start of the season.
Previous to these injuries, Creek was known as an explosive, exciting player. Even in his freshman year, he had established himself as Indiana's best player and seemed destined for the NBA. Before the knee injury in his freshman year, he averaged 16.4 points per game, shot 44.8% from the 3 point range and had an explosive game against Kentucky, scoring 31 points. Through ten games this season he has scored 3.0 points and 1.6 rebounds per game.
Indiana coach Tom Crean is hopeful. "Maurice has been doing so much to improve and help our team. Hopefully this is just a temporary setback," Crean said.

If you are a basketball player and have a foot problem, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Medicine Podiatrist in CT
Podiatrist in Newington
Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook, and follow our tweets on Twitter. 

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• Why Indiana Is Still the Team to Beat
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Komets Chaulks Doesn't Have MRSA Again

Komets fans: don't fret! Captain Colin Chaulk does not have the same problem he had in 2008-09 that cost him 35 games and almost his career.

Chaulk underwent surgery Tuesday to remove an abscess on his right foot and will be out three weeks to recover. 

"There is no evidence of MRSA (staph infection) at this time," coach David Fanke said. "They are doing a culture. But at this time they do not think it is MRSA related."

Chaulk is feeling well, and is hopeful its not MRSA. "We don't know entirely what it is," said Chaulk, who had a staph infection in his left foot during that fateful season. 

"I'm taking antibiotics to make sure it's wiped out. Given my history they want to kill whatever is going on and once they get back the culture, they'll have a better idea of what we're dealing with," Chaulk added. 

He can't remember when or where the injury occurred. "I'm trying to trace back to if my foot was sore after the last game that I played, and I can't remember that it was. I missed the last couple of games on the road trip, and we came home for Tuesday's practice (December 11th), and my foot was sore but I didn't think anything of it. I made the road trip and continued my conditioning skating and my foot was a little sore," Chaulk said. 

"Like every hockey player I have little bumps on the back of my foot from breaking in my skates. There was a little callus there with a little bit of fluid. Sass said he wanted to get in there right away and get it cleaned out, and I was good with that."

Chaulks has missed six straight games with a shoulder injury and now is dealing with this foot issue. He has two goals and 17 points in 19 games and will not be on the bench as an assistant coach because doctors want to him to keep his foot elevated. 

"They basically made an incision today and removed the abscess. And they shaved down a callus or bone spur, and they say it should be about three weeks of recovery... I'm feeling OK. And my shoulder was close to about 100% before this happened," Chaulk said. 

Chaulk is the five-time team MVP and has led the Fort Wayne team to five championships since 2003. 

If you are a hockey player and have a foot problem, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
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Serena Williams Has Surgery On Big Toes

The No. 3 women's tennis player in the world, Serena Williams, underwent surgery to correct a foot problem.

Williams was busy preparing for the Australian Open in January, but her foot condition had progressed to the point where it required surgery. She also pulled out of an exhibition in Thailand later this month, when she was scheduled to play No. 1 Victoria Azarenka. 

A medical certificate from podiatrist Jeffrey Rockefeller states that the 15 time grand slam champion was "treated for a chronic foot disorder which involved minor procedures on both of her great toes."

Williams followed up, saying, "I am being advised by my doctors to take more time to heal following a minor procedure I needed to address my ongoing foot issues."

Williams, the WTA player of the year, tread on glass, badly cutting both feet in 2010, and has been suffering with foot problems since. The exact foot problems are unknown. 

She expects to play in the Brisbane International tournament from December 30- January 5. The five-time Australian Open winner played at last year's Brisbane International, but pulled out with an ankle injury at the quarterfinals. 

Brisbane International tournament director Cameron Pearson was surprised to hear of her surgery, saying, "I've spoken to her a fair bit over the last few weeks, so I was surprised at that report of toe surgery because she never mentioned it to me. I've since spoken to her and she'll be fine- fit and ready for Brisbane. Her flights are booked but it seems she's decided she needed a little more time than the Thailand match allowed."

French Open champion Li Na has stepped in to replace Williams at the World Tennis Invitation in Hua Hin, Thailand, on December 29th.

If you are a tennis player and have a foot problem, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Medicine Podiatrist in CT
Podiatrist in Newington
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 Related articles

• Serena Williams named WTA's Player of the Year

Rockets' Patterson Out Indefinitely With Bone Bruise

Houston Rockets starting power forward Patrick Patterson has a bone bruise on his right foot.
The release from the Rockets' website states: "Houston Rockets forward Patrick Patterson had a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test performed Saturday morning. Results of the MRI revealed a bone bruise in Patterson's right foot. Patterson will be out while further testing is conducted and a medical course of action is determined. Rookie forward Terrence Jones is expected to be recalled from Houston's D-League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, and to be with the team tomorrow for their Sunday afternoon game against the Toronto Raptors."
Patterson had been on a roll earlier in the month, with a stretch of 20 point games. Over the last six games he has averaged around 10 points. Makes you wonder if Patterson's foot was bothering him during those last few games, since his usually strong mobility was average and his average rebounding worse.
Marcus Morris has taken over Patterson starting position, scoring 19 points on Sunday and 13 on Monday. "When someone gets hurt, someone has to step up. We have to shift things around, but that's what happens in our league," said coach Kevin McHale.
"It's unfortunate. Patrick is a really good glue guy for us. He does a lot of the simple little things. Patrick's greatest asset is he's aware of everything we're doing; very, very smart, a very good team defender. He's very good at a lot of stuff," said McHale.

If you are a basketball player and have a foot problem, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
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Podiatrist in Newington
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UFC's Palhares Suffers Broken Foot In Loss

Rousimar Palhares and Hector Lombard faced off last Friday night, kicking off UFC on FX 6 "Smashes" main card at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Queensland, Australia.
The 32 year old "Toquinho" gave a powerful leg kick early in the fight, landing flush against the "Lightning's" limb, and shattered the bones and causing ligament damage in his right foot. For the rest of the fight, Palhares was hobbling on the stage until Lombard delivered the final blow.
The Brazilian fighter told MMA Junkie: "During the fight, my kick was working well. But soon in the first round, one of my kicks hit Lombard's shin below his knee. I heard a snap, and I knew something bad happened. From that moment on, I started feeling my foot more and more numb and without strength to walk around the octagon. It was a very complicated situation. I went through something similar in the fight against Jeremy Horn when I broke my hand during the fight."
Trainer Murilo Bustamante said of Palhares, "What happened, happened. He is a great athlete and will overcame to be back up. The entire team of UFC has done a great good job since the first medical care in the arena of the fight. The hospital staff also made all necessary effort getting imaging tests with 'Toquinho', and from then on, we started treatment immediately. His right foot is still very swollen. We still do not have prediction of when he will be able to go back to training."
Palhares, 14-5, who strung together three straight wins with two submissions, has dropped consecutive contests, both by technical knockout.

If you are a fighter and have a foot problem, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
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LaMarcus Aldridge Sprains Ankle

Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge sprained his left ankle in the final minutes of the team's win 95-94 win over New Orleans on Sunday. X-rays were negative, but Trail Blazers PR tweeted: "LaMarcus Aldridge's MRI results confirm a left ankle sprain."

The injury occurred when Aldridge landed on Hornets forward Ryan Anderson's foot.
"It's hurting pretty bad. Can't really walk on it. I'm on crutches until it starts feeling better," Aldridge said.
Aldridge played 37 minutes against New Orleans, scoring 20 points on eight of 17 shooting. Overall, he is having an excellent season for Portland, averaging 21 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. The sixth year forward is giving rookie point guard Damian Lillard a consistent threat to look for down low, and his ability to step away from the basket makes him a more difficult matchup.
Aldridge has started more than 400 games for Portland in his career.
At 11-12, Portland has struggled with him on the floor. The team hasn't played well enough thus far to contend in the Western Conference and they probably won't play any better without him in the lineup. Possible replacements in the lineup are Jared Jeffries and Luke Babbitt, but neither produces the numbers Aldridge does.
There is no reason for the Trail Blazers to rush Aldridge back since it may jeopardize his health later in the year.

If you are a basketball player and have a foot problem, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
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Podiatrist in Newington
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Best Running Socks

Any runner knows the importance of a good running sock. A great one can help prevent blisters, keep your feet dry and cool, and help you run those extra miles. A bad sock, well, does none of those things.
Runner's World Magazine had 86 runners from Portland, OR test out 26 of the newest socks to find the best  of the best. The testers wear the socks on cold runs, rainy runs, and treadmill runs. Here are the eight winners:

• Best for Women: Asics Hera Bamboo Low Cut ($12). These are anatomical socks made specifically for women. Testers said they were snug, but not restrictive, and the arch support hit in the right place. The eco-fabric felt soft and silky without being slippery.
• Plushest Pair: Bridgedale's Bamboo Lo ($14). These socks have a blend of renewable bamboo and sweat siphoning CoolMax, which felt luxurious to testers. The quarter-cut height and thick band pleased trail runners, which helps keep out debris and protecting against ankle clipping. 
• Most Durable: Balega All Out Trail Quarter ($13). These wool socks kept tester's feet dry and warm. Testers praised the combination of heavier fabric on the sole with the lighter material on top to help ventilation. The low cut and reinforced band are flattering, keeping trail debris out.
• Best Blister Protection: Drymax Maximum Protection Running Sock ($25). Made of dense, cushy materials, making for a plush ride. Marathoners in the group loved these socks, saying they reduced friction, kept their feet dry and blister free on runs.
• Race-Day Sock: PowerSox APF Low-Cut ($11). According to testers, these socks fit like a second skin. The seamless design wraps snugly around toes, and strategically placed cushioning helps runners' feet from aching after a race. 
• Snuggest Fit: Under Armour Endurance Low Cut ($13). These socks for women were have specific left and right socks and are uber comfortable. One tester said they fit more like a high-tech shoe than sock.
• Most Pillowy: Thorlo Experia ($14). Like your favorite plush socks, these socks are pared down in the midfoot and top. The pads are thick and cushy, while the rest is minimal. These socks come in five sizes, wick away sweat, and fit the biggest and smallest feet.
• Odor-Eaters: New Balance Cocona Lo-Cut ($12). These socks are carbon derived from coconut shells, which have natural antimicrobial properties. They also offer a silky-smooth interior with just enough cushioning in key areas. 

If you are are suffering from a sports related foot injury, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Podiatrist in CT
Podiatrist in Newington, Kensington, and Middletown, CT
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Patriots' Stallworth Follows Edelman To Injured Reserve

Patriots' wide receiver Donte Stallworth finally got his chance this year to play and it will be his only game this season.
Stallworth, originally released following training camp, had been re-signed December 4th after Julian Edelman went on the injured reserve. He played in Monday night's 42-14 win against the Houston Texans and likely suffered the high ankle sprain on his one catch of the night, a 63-yarder for a touchdown. If you look at the picture on the right, you can see Stallworth's right foot twisted in an unnatural way. Ouch!
Stallworth had spent the 2007 season with the Patriots when he had 46 catches. He spent 2008 with the Cleveland Browns. With injuries to Edelman and Rob Gronkowski and the receiving corps thinned, the team was prompted to recall Stallworth.
"Donte is always in good shape, works hard, dependable player that got an opportunity, stepped up, and made it happen," said coach Bill Belichick on Tuesday. "I think that's kind of what sometimes football is about, but certainly it's what football at this time of year is about. It's getting opportunities and taking advantage of them."
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said before the Stallworth move, "I don't want to understate how hard it is to come in off the street and get acclimated to not only what the game plan is, but who the opponent is, how they play. And then, go out there and have to perform on short notice. Credit to him for putting himself in position to be able to go out there and do that."
With Stallworth out, receiver Deion Branch will return to the Patriots. He had nine catches in seven games this season, but was released last month after suffering a hamstring injury.
If you participate in football and have a foot problem, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.

Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Medicine Podiatrist in CT
Podiatrist in Newington
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow our tweets on Twitter. 

 Related articles

• Patriots' Edelman On Injured Reserve

Australian Soccer Player Dugandzic To Miss Rest of Season

Mate Dugandzic, the talented young Melbourne Heart winger, will be out the rest of the A-season with a severe foot injury.

It was hoped the 23 year old would return after being sidelined for 12 weeks, after breaking his right foot during the Heart's game against Adelaide United on November 17th. He collided with United goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic, fracturing a metatarsal.

Additional scans and surgery last Thursday showed the extent of the damage to the bone and ligament was worse than originally anticipated, meaning Dugandzic's rehabilitation will take at least six months. 

This is a major blow for the Heart, who sat ninth on the table, ahead of last Saturday's clash with Perth Glory at AAMI Park. 

Coach John Aloisi says, "It's never great to lose such an important player so early in the season. Mate was a critical player for us last season. Now the challenge is for another emerging player, like Golgol Mebrahtu or Ben Garuccio to step up when they get an opportunity and prove that they can be an elite player, which Mate did last season."

Garuccio unfortunately sustained a left ankle injury during last Saturday's game which is expected to keep him out at least a month. Aloisi does not plan on recruiting an injury replacement player, as he believes the Heart has the depth to cover Dugandzic. "We saw from last week that players from our youth league team were able to step up and help us get a result, so that's the path we will go down if we need to," said Aloisi.

If you participate in soccer and have a foot problem, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Medicine Podiatrist in CT
Podiatrist in Newington
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Chauncey Billups Out Indefinitely With Foot Injury

Los Angeles Clippers guard Chauncey Billups is out indefinitely with peroneal tendonitis in his left foot.
Billups' injury is not related to the torn Achilles tendon he suffered on February 6th, which kept him out nearly 10 months. He had returned only last week and played just three games before suffering this new injury.
"It has no relation to the Achilles at all. It's a peroneal tendon that's kind of below the ankle bone, not behind the Achilles It's not related at all," Billups said.
"It's frustrating, of course, working that hard to come back and have to kind of sit back and wait. I know what it is. I respect the process and I'm not down at all. Of course, I want to be out there, but it is what it is. I know it's all about the marathon for me," said Billups.
Willie Green, who played in Billups' absence, will start again with Billups out again. The Clippers don't have a timetable for Billups' return, but figure it will be a while for the inflammation of the tendonitis to calm down. The team is cautious with injuries like this, which is a good thing.
"When he's ready, he'll go," said Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro. "I don't have a timeframe for it. It could be this weekend, it could be in a week, two weeks, a month. I don't have a timeframe. When he says he's ready, he'll be out there."
"I just kind of feel like I've worked way too hard to get back to play hurt, you know what I'm saying," Billups said.
Billups foot started to bother him again on November 28th during the game against the Utah Jazz. "Honestly, in that Utah game... it was really painful. I couldn't really push off my left foot. It was just really weak. I couldn't explode off it. I couldn't cut. Everything I was doing, I was just getting through it. I'm like 'I should be better than this.'"
Billups had an MRI the next day, which revealed the injury. "I knew that coming back I'd deal with a lot of other things in my body that were trying to catch back up to the speed of playing a real game, so I think it is just part of the process."
Billups had averaged 7.3 points and 1.3 assists while playing almost 20 minutes per game since his return.
If you participate in basketball and have a foot problem, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Medicine Podiatrist in CT
Podiatrist in Newington
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow our tweets on Twitter. 

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• Top Basketball Recruit Out With Broken Foot
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Percy Harvin Lands On Injured Reserve

English: Percy Harvin, while a member of the Minnesota Vikings, at the Vikings' 2009 Training Camp, Mankato, Minnesota, USA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Percy Harvin was placed on the injured reserve last week, potentially ending the team's playoff hopes.
The fourth year pro suffered a Grade 3 ankle sprain November 4th against the Seattle Seahawks. A Grade 3 sprain means a full ligament tear. Coach Leslie Frazier had suggested Harvin would be ready for practice for weeks, so the news of placing him on the season ending injured reserve came as a shock. Sports writers have been busy speculating why an ankle sprain would sideline one of the NFL's toughest guys, when the normal timeline for an ankle sprain recovery is six weeks, leaving two weeks left in the season.
The simplest answer to this question is that Harvin's ankle didn't heal as quickly as expected and he may need surgery to repair the damage from the ligament tear. Frazier said the decision to place him on the injured reserve was based purely on Harvin's slow healing ankle. He has declined to be more specific about the injury.
"For him as well as our team, this is the best thing to do as opposed to continuing to try to make something happen that's not going to happen. He's such a valuable commodity. You don't want to do anything that's going to create some long-term ill effects," Frazier told reporters last Thursday.
Harvin has been unavailable to reporters, but he issued a statement distributed by the Vikings, saying, "It certainly is disappointing that I was not able to finish out this season with my teammates. As a competitor I definitely wanted to get back out on the field, but my injury has just not allowed me to progress to the point where I can help our team. I appreciate the efforts of our medical staff and the support of our fans in helping me through this process and look forward to coming back stronger and better than ever."
Frazier denies that Harvin may need surgery, saying, "At least we're hoping that... Got my fingers crossed that won't be the case." Frazier says Harvin never had any setbacks, but made incremental progress. He tried to practice on November 28th, but was favoring his right foot and having difficulties trying to change direction. The injured reserve became a possibility in the last few days and Harvin didn't fight the decision.
"You understand the situation and understand where he is. We've got other guys that are going to step up and hopefully make some plays for us in this ballgame," said Frazier. "He understood. He was frustrated, like everybody. He wants to be out there on the field. He's a great competitor, as we all know. Just unfortunate he wasn't making the progress that was necessary for him to get back out there."
Harvin was having a stellar season, having the second most yards after catch by a wide receiver this season, with 528 yards, to Wes Welker's 530. His average of 8.5 yards after catch on his 62 receptions is the NFL's best. Pro Football Focus also credited him with causing 22 missed tackles by opponents this season, among the league's best.
"It's obviously unfortunate for Percy and for our team. He was having an unbelievable year when he was healthy, and we'd love to have him throughout the season, just with the things he can do and his abilities," said linebacker Chad Greenway.
In the meantime, rookie Jarius Wright will take Harvin's place as the slot receiver, meaning more playing time. "It was kind of heartbreaking. I just wanted to get Percy back and see how we'd be on the field at the same time. I know a lot of fans wanted a chance to see that also," Wright said.
But moving forward is the key and hoping Harvin will return as strong and better as he promised. "We know we have to move forward. We still have something that we're trying to accomplish this year. So just wish him the best, and hopefully he comes back healthy next year," said running back Adrian Peterson.
If you participate in football and have a foot problem, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Medicine Podiatrist in CT
Podiatrist in Newington
Visit our website, like our page on Facebook, and follow our tweets on Twitter. 

Women and Children More Likely To Have Sports Injuries

By reading this blog, you've probably noticed that sports injuries in general are far too common. But what may not be readily apparent however is that women and children are more likely to have sports injuries than men.
Athletes of all skill levels and experience are likely to get sports injuries. It doesn't matter if you're in the NFL or just a weekend warrior looking to lose some weight. Injuries happen anywhere on the body- feet, legs, arms, shoulders, hips, etc.
So why are women more prone to get sports injuries than men? Dr. Bridget Quinn, director of the sports clinic at Boston's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center says that differences in women's anatomy- wider hips, and different thigh bone and foot structure- make women more susceptible. Women are likely to get repetitive motion injuries, like stress injuries, shoulder and hip problems, and ankle sprains, as their joints are more flexible than men's.
For children, the difference is often age. You can have one child who is 6 foot 2 and 225 pounds and one child who is 5 foot 6 and 130 pounds, and both be 14 years old. Dr. Thompson McGuire, an orthopedist who specializes in sports medicine at Down East Orthopedics in Bangor, ME, says he's amazed by the physical disparity between his son and his classmates.
"My son is probably 90 pounds, and he has classmates who are close to 200 pounds, full-grown men who are already shaving. He's playing soccer against these guys and I'm glad it's not football," said McGuire. He adds that he sees a lot of injuries from basketball, football, and soccer, but admits that these are popular sports. "I don't see a lot of cricket injuries," he joked.
Research done by the National Center for Sports Safety found:

1. More than 3.5 million children ages 14 and younger receive medical treatment for sport injuries each year.
2. Children suffer 21 percent of all traumatic brain injuries in the United States due to sports activities.
3. Repetitive motion injuries account for nearly half of all sports injuries in middle and high school students due to immature bones, insufficient rest between activities, and poor conditioning.
4. Children between the ages of 5 and 14 account for 40 percent of all sports related injuries in the emergency room. These injuries are due to: football (28%), basketball (25%), and soccer (22%).
5. Basketball injuries far surpass football, baseball, and soccer injuries.
6. Between 1982 and 2002, 88 children died from basketball injuries, opposed to 22 football deaths, and 14 cheerleading deaths.

Advances in protective equipment are helping cut down on injuries, but not concussions in football players. "The helmets are getting better, but they have no impact on concussions. What happens with a concussion is the skull stops, but the brain keeps going and it gets bruised when it hits the skull. These new helmets are great for preventing fractures, but not concussions," says McGuire.
However, don't let these numbers scare you. The benefits of getting out and exercising far outweigh any risks that happen.
If you are are suffering from a sports related foot injury, call our Newington, Kensington, or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Craig M. Kaufman, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Podiatrist in CT
Podiatrist in Newington, Kensington, and Middletown, CT
Visit our website, friend and like our page on Facebook, and follow my tweets on Twitter.