Jamie Varner Fights On Broken Ankle

The replays from Saturday night's UFC 173 match of Jamie Varner and James Krause were gruesome to look at. 
Krause landed an early leg kick that eventually caused Varner to break his ankle. Varner rolled his ankle three times in the first round without being touched by Krause and continued the fight. He told the referee after the sounding of the first bell that his ankle was broken and he could not continue. 
UFC president Dana White praised Varner for continuing the fight even when he was clearly injured. 
"Usually they'll quit, guys will tap out and say 'ahhh, I broke my ankle'," White said. "There was no quit in that kid. That's one of those situations where he kept going. That's a tough one."
Varner, a former WEC lightweight champion later tweeted that he suffered two fractures and torn ligaments in his ankle. He had to be helped to the corner after the fight, since he could not put any weight on the leg. 
White continued his praise, saying, "By the end of the round he's like, 'that's it, I'm done'. He fought that whole round. The corner didn't throw in the towel, the ref didn't stop the fight, but he wasn't complaining either. You'll see guys, lesser things happen and guys try to stop. Varner is all heart, and that's a tough one."
Krause (21-5) has improved to 2-1 since signing with the UFC. His last match was a TKO loss to Bobby Green in November that ended his eight-fight win streak. 
"The very first kick I threw, I felt it hit my shin," Krause said. "We worked this camp on kicking the calf so he couldn't catch my kicks and take me down.
"Jamie is such a good competitor and it was an honor to fight him... I am sorry it ended like it did."
References: MMA Fighting and Fight Line. 
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Post Game Celebration Leads To Injury For Ellis

A note to all athletes: it's all well and good to celebrate after a good win or victory, but keep it under control. 
Take A. J. Ellis, Los Angeles Dodgers catcher: Ellis severely sprained his ankle on Sunday in Philadelphia while celebrating Josh Beckett's no-hitter. Ellis rushed to the mound to celebrate with his teammates and stepped on the discarded mask of backup Drew Butera, who caught the major's first no-hitter of the season. 
Pedro Moura of the Orange County Register tweeted, "Ellis jumped up and landed on Butera's discarded catcher's gear during the celebration." 
"I wanted to be a part of it," Ellis said. "It's a great day, a great experience to be a part of. I quickly lost my thrill for what happened. Rolled it pretty good. I'm beyond frustrated, still kind of shocked."
Ellis was scheduled to see the team physician on Monday; no update has been provided. His ankle was treated throughout the flight home, using ice and compression.
"Getting off the plane I was feeling pretty good, but this morning as they predicted, it was hard moving around once I got up," he said. 
Ellis was put on the 15-day DL on Monday. He had arthroscopic knee surgery in April and had a short-lived return to the field on May 14th. 
Ellis has not had a stellar start to his season, hitting .170/.350/.213 (65 OPS+) with more walks (12) than strikeouts (10). 
The Dodgers recalled Tim Federowicz from Class AAA Albuquerque, where he was hitting .298 in 17 games. Federowicz played 13 games for the Dodgers in April.
Manager Don Mattingly admitted that Ellis's injury was poor timing, but believes that Butera or Federowicz can fill his shoes. Butera started Monday night at home against the Cincinnati Reds. The team is currently 27-24, sitting 5.5 games behind the San Francisco Giants in the National League West. For the team to catch up to the Giants they will need a healthy Ellis. 
The moral of this story is that while it's good to celebrate with your teammates, it's even better to watch where you are going. 
References: Bleacher Report, USA Today, and CBS Sports. 
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Matt Lindstrom Out Up To Three Months

First it was Jose Abreu with his posterior tibial tendonitis, and now it is Matt Lindstrom who needs ankle surgery. 
Chicago White Sox closer Lindstrom returned to Chicago on Tuesday to undergo tests on his injured left ankle and was placed on the 15-day disabled list, making him the eighth White Sox player (currently six) to spend time on the disabled list this season. 
He sustained the injury to his sublexing peroneal tendon (located on the outside of his ankle) when he attempted to field Alcides Escobar's bunt in the ninth inning of Chicago's 7-6 win over the Royals on Monday night. 
At the time White Sox manager Robin Ventura said, "We don't know the full extent of it; we know it was enough to go on the DL. He wasn't walking good. We know he's not going to be with us for at least a couple of weeks."
Ventura and pitching coach Don Cooper would not name a new closer as they felt a variety of people could take his place. 
"As of now, we're not just going to name a closer," Ventura said. 
Wednesday it was discovered that Lindstrom's ankle will require surgery and he will be sidelined at least three months. He was scheduled to have surgery on Friday to repair a tear in the sheath of his ankle. 
"We'll miss him for a while," Ventura said. 
Lindstrom, 34, had six saves in nine opportunities with a 3.32 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and 11 strikeouts in 19 innings this season. He successfully converted his last five save chances. 
References: CBS Sports, MLB, and MLB. 
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Deron Williams Hopes To Have Surgery This Summer

Deron Williams of the Brooklyn Nets underwent an MRI last Friday on both of his ankles and he believes that surgery over the summer may be his best option. He met with foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Martin O'Malley on Monday. 
When asked last Thursday about the possibility of having surgery, Williams said, "I think so. I think it is. Just to clean [stuff out], it's nothing major."
Williams has been riddled with ankle injuries during the last two seasons, receiving multiple cortisone shots and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for the pain, but the problem still lingers. 
"I feel like I've kind of let people down, so I don't like feeling like that," Williams said. "I take my job seriously, I work hard in the offseason, I work hard every day. It's just real frustrating not to be able to play how I'm capable of playing."
Williams' focus this summer is getting healthy and returning to his former All-Star form. 
"I used to step on the court and feel like I was the best player no matter who I played against, so I gotta get back to that," he said. "Even if I'm not the best player on the court, I gotta feel like I am."
In January Williams received a cortisone shot and a PRP injection in both of his ankles. Prior to Game 7 of the team's first-round series against the Toronto Raptors Williams got another round of a cortisone shot and an anti-inflammatory injection. Last season Williams received three rounds of cortisone shots and a PRP injection because of the inflammation in his ankle. 
"I have been worried about [getting so many cortisone shots]," Williams joked. "I've had a lot."
In 64 regular season games Williams averaged 14.3 points and 6.1 assists on 45 percent shooting. In the playoffs he averaged 14.5 points and 5.8 assists on 39.5 percent shooting in 12 games. 
Williams turns 30 on June 26th and struggled against the Miami Heat, shooting just 1-for-11 from the field in the fourth quarter of the second-round series, which lasted five games. 
Williams has three years and $63.1 million left on his contract with the Nets.
"Both years have been tough on me," Williams said. "I just feel like I haven't been able to play the way I want to since I've been here, really. And so it's just been tough, it's been tough to swallow, but hopefully can figure things out and get back to playing like I want to play."
Reference: ESPN
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Cody Latimer Taking It Easy During Broncos MiniCamp

Second-round pick Cody Latimer has been taking it easy during the Denver Broncos' rookie minicamp. 
Latimer is recovering from surgery to repair a fractured fifth metatarsal. Latimer had the surgery on January 19th and missed all but the bench press at the NFL scouting combine in late February. However, at Indiana's pro-day session on March 26th, Latimer posted times of 4.39 and 4.43 seconds in the 40-yard dash. During his workout he also had an impressive 39-inch vertical jump.
It was likely these numbers, along with the Broncos previous experience with wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, that helped the team believe he would fully recover, even though it means he would take it easier as a rookie. 
"All in all we're going to be smart with his foot and he's doing just fine," Head Coach John Fox said. "We were familiar with it and he'll be more involved by Monday."
In the meantime Latimer has been taking a few passes, but it not pushing his foot to the point of reinjury. 
"(I'm) not doing too much cutting," Latimer said. "They're doing a good job of treating me and staying on top of it.'
So Latimer has been doing "mental reps" instead, meaning players who must only watch from the sidelines. 
"I'm eager, but you know that's good. I get to get mental reps and learn from everyone else. Seeing what everyone else is doing and how to get coached up from their mistakes. And hoping that when I come out here and I'm able to run I don't make those mistakes.
"So I'm doing a lot of learning and doing a lot of mental reps, so it's good for me." 
Latimer does not expect to start in September, with receivers Thomas, Wes Welker, and Julius Thomas catching 65 or more passes from Peyton Manning last season.
"I'm here to get on the field, but it's not much of a rush," Latimer said. "I can learn from (the veterans) and don't have to get pushed into the system too early.
"I'll be on the field when I can, special teams, however I've got to play the field. Like I said, it makes it easier for me having to catch on the offense, not so much of a rush."
The team has high hopes for Latimer once he is fully recovered, however. 
"He's a physical specimen, and when he plays, he plays his size," Offensive Coordinator Adam Gise said. "To see him catch the ball as well as he does and then his blocking is unbelievable. I don't think we've really seen a college guy go after it the way he has in the past, and hopefully he just carries that over to this level."
References: Denver Post, Denver Broncos, and NFL.
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Brewers' Gallardo Day-To-Day

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Yovani Gallardo is day-to-day after suffering an ankle sprain in Tuesday night's 5-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves.
X-rays came back negative and Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said Gallardo's status for his next scheduled start on May 25th against the Miami Marlins is up in the air. 
"It all depends on how it is tomorrow," Gallardo said yesterday. "It's stiff now, but hopefully it's nothing big."
Roenicke moved Gallardo's next bullpen session initially scheduled for today back a day when they hope to have a better idea of his status. 
Gallardo suffered the injury when he tried to field a chopper off the bat of Julio Teheran at the top of the fourth. He rolled his left ankle while changing directions to react to Teheran's grounder and then landed awkwardly on the same ankle on the front slope of the mound after leaping to catch the ball. 
"I couldn't tell," Gallardo said regarding when the injury exactly happened. "I know I was just trying to change directions to try to get the ball and it just rolled on me. I mean, it's not the first time it's happened. For some reason, it's always my left ankle."
Roenicke and the Brewers trainers went out to help Gallardo, who walked with a significant limp after the play. The right-handed pitcher threw a few pitches to test his ankle before he was pulled from the game. 
"He wanted to stay in the game," Roenicke said. "Our concern is you have a bad ankle and all of a sudden you land funny and you do something to your arm. It's not worth taking the chance on that to get a couple of extra innings out of him."
"I tried, I definitely tried, but it's my landing leg," Gallardo said. "The last thing you need to do is try to overcompensate."
The injury stopped Gallardo at 3 1/3 innings, his shortest outing since he lasted just 3 2/3 innings against the Padres on July 25, 2013. His early exit also stopped a 17 straight start streak with at least 5 2/3 innings pitched. 
Reference: MLB
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Jose Abreu Suffering From Posterior Tibial Tendonitis

Jose Abreu and the Chicago White Sox received good news on Monday when a second MRI of the player's left ankle revealed inflammation and no tear. However, he was diagnosed with posterior tibial tendonitis, a progressive condition. 
This is not a new problem for Abreu, who has had issues with this condition going back to his days playing in Cuba. Even after spending time on the disabled list Abreu may not be 100% when he returns. Abreu, baseball's current home run leader, was sensational in his transition from Cuba to the major leagues in his first seven weeks. He was dealing with issues with his ankle going back to spring training. 
According to ESPNChicago.com's Doug Padilla, Abreu has been suffering from inflammation in his ankle for the better part of a month, but the condition has been getting progressively worse. It got to the point where Scott Merkin of MLB.com said Abreu was "playing on one leg." He has not played first base since May 8th. Moving Abreu to designated hitter was supposed to help, but that has not been enough to make a difference.
The left ankle injury Abreu had during spring training was in a different part of the ankle- front versus back- and shows a deeper problem with movement in the ankle. 
Abreu's ankle has been in a boot for several days and will be reevaluated tomorrow when the White Sox return for a homestand. 
The White Sox have an amazing medical team, led by Herm Schneider, who has some of the best results in major league baseball, so Abreu will be in good hands. 
With Abreu out, Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko will fill in. 
The posterior tibial tendon serves as one of the major supporting structures of the foot, helping it to function while walking. Posterior tibial tendonitis is a progressive condition that should be treated early before it worsens. 
The main cause for this condition is overuse. Symptoms typically occur after activities that involve the tendon, such as running, walking, hiking, or climbing stairs. 
Symptoms of posterior tibial tendonitis include pain, swelling, a flattening of the arch, and an inward rolling of the ankle. As the condition progresses, the symptoms will change. Traditionally when the condition begins, there is pain on the inside of the foot and ankle. The area may be red, swollen, and warm. 
Later, as the arch begins to flatten, there may still be pain on the inside of the foot and ankle. But at this point, the foot and toes begin to turn outward and the ankle rolls inward.
As posterior tibial tendonitis becomes more advanced, the arch flattens even more and the pain often shifts to the outside of the foot, below the ankle. The tendon has deteriorated considerably and arthritis often develops in the foot. In more severe cases, arthritis may also develop in the ankle. 
Because of the progressive nature of this condition, early treatment is advised. If treated early enough, your symptoms may resolve without the need for surgery and progression of your condition can be arrested. In contrast, untreated posterior tibial tendonitis can leave you with an extremely flat foot, painful arthritis in the foot and ankle, and increasing limitations on walking, running, and other activities. 
Treatment can begin with non-surgical approaches that may include:

• Orthotic devices or bracing
• Immobilization
• Physical therapy
• Medications
• Shoe modifications

Surgery may be needed in cases where the condition has progressed significantly or failed to improve with non-surgical treatment. For advanced cases, surgery may be the only option.
References: Bleacher Report and Chicago Sun Times. 
If you are a baseball player with a foot or ankle problem, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
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Rugby Star Kurtley Beale To Prolong Surgery

Wallabies star Kurtley Beale revealed that he needs surgery to remove bone spurs in his foot but is waiting until he can no longer take the pain from the deformity. 
Beale was given the green light to play in today's game against the Blues at the Super Rugby showdown at Eden Park. 
The midfielder limped off the field before halftime in last week's win against the Bulls with what was believed to be a jarred ankle.
Beale admitted yesterday that he's played the first eight games of the season with a bone spur in his left, non-kicking, foot. 
"There's a bit of a spur in there," Beale said. 
"So obviously at the beginning of the season I always knew that there'd be a bit of pain here and there and it's just unfortunate that it got jarred a little bit more than it had in previous instances. 
"Because I wasn't 100 percent and couldn't continue the game, I just thought the rest would do it good. 
"During the preseason I did a lot of running- hill running, long-distance running- and that just naturally kind of flared it up. 
"So the medical staff have got different ways to help manage that- going back to icing and compression, and deloading it helps a lot and that's what we've done this week and it's worked."
Beale says he definitely needs surgery that will sideline him for at least four to six weeks, but "when I get a bit of time off."
"At the moment, the medical staff here (at the Waratahs) are doing a fine job at managing it and we've got a really good understanding there of how to approach it," he said.
"Depending on how it goes, I think we'll just take it week by week."
Beale is being guided by the recommendations of the Waratahs doctors. "I know my body and how it copes with certain injuries and it's great how I can have a really good medical relationship here with the Tahs and it's pretty mutual," he said.
This is the first time since 2011 that Beale has been able to play eight consecutive games, so he's in no rush to have surgery. But he knows that every game brings the possibility of injury, or further damage to an injury.
"You go into every game knowing that it could be risky. It's a contact sport," Beale said.
"It's just unfortunate that there is a minor problem there, but it's managed- easily managed- and that's the best thing about it."
Bone spurs are a very common foot problem. In the foot they develop most frequently in the heel, near the toes, and on top of the big toe joint. The spurs are small outgrowths of bone. In and of themselves, they are generally harmless. However, their location may cause friction or irritation from shoes or other foot structures, which can lead to other foot problems.
Anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone shots, corrective shoes, and/or orthotics are some of the common treatments for spurs. Surgery may be prescribed if spurring around the joint becomes severe or leads to recurrent pain from persistent corns.
Reference: Sydney Morning Herald
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Rangers' Choo Day-To-Day

The Texas Rangers got good news Tuesday about left fielder Shin-Soo Choo.
The team had feared that Choo would be put on the disabled list with a serious high ankle sprain, but an MRI taken Tuesday showed a sprained left ankle. 
Choo did not play on Tuesday or Wednesday and is considered day-to-day. The team's disabled list is already very full and they have no plans to add him. 
Team physician Dr. Keith Meister looked at Choo's MRI results and gave the Rangers the good news before the game Tuesday evening against the Athletics.
Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine said of the situation, "We view this as very positive news considering, as high ankle sprains from our past experience... are a little more of a lengthier time frame for recovery."
Choo sustained the injury at the top of the seventh inning Monday night when he tried to run out an infield hit and hit the base hard with his left foot. 
The Rangers already have 10 players on the disabled list and in the immediate past, results from MRIs have brought bad news. 
"We're hoping that this is an indication that we're heading in the right direction from an injury standpoint," Levine said. "We're kind of long overdue for some positive news back from the training staff. This is certainly a silver lining to what was a concerning injury that we thought we had last night. We feel very optimistic that hopefully Choo is a vital part of this team and will be back on the field soon."
The team called up right-hander Nick Martinez to start Tuesday night's game and they cleared a spot on the 25-man roster by sending Hector Noesi for assignment. By doing this, the Rangers now have a spot open on the 40-man roster in case Choo takes longer than anticipated to recover and they need to add a position player. 
"These types of players, I think you give them every opportunity to play if the medical staff feels it's going to be within a reasonable time frame," Levine said. "We're willing to be patient and wait provided that [manager Ron Washington] doesn't feel it leaves him too limited."
The Rangers hope to activate third baseman Adrian Beltre from the disabled list tomorrow, but it doesn't mean that Choo has to be better by then. 
"I don't think we view it that those two are linked, necessarily," Levine said. "I think we're prepared to make other moves if we need to... We would wait if we can. If we felt as if the light at the end of the tunnel was bright and the tunnel's not too long, we're going to wait."
Reference: ESPN
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Melbourne's Trengove To Miss Rest Of Season

Melbourne Demons' former co-captain Jack Trengove will miss the rest of the AFL season with a broken foot. 
The Demons released the statement on Tuesday after scans of Trengove's left foot revealed a crack of the navicular bone.
Trengove had said his foot was sore after his VFL game for the Casey Scorpions on Sunday. 
The 22 year old had surgery on Wednesday and recovery time will take about four months.
Melbourne's football manager Josh Mahoney says he sees Trengove being better than ever in 2015. 
"Jack's attitude has been outstanding this year, particularly in recent weeks whilst playing in the VFL, and for this to happen to him is really unfortunate," Mahoney said. 
"He is a resilient character. At Melbourne, we've had two examples of players who have had this type of injury in Colin Garland and Jack Grimes and they both made full recoveries.
"We expect Jack to make a full recovery, and be available for day one of pre-season training."
Trengove suffered a stress fracture to his foot in December 2012, an injury that cost him the pre-season and while he was back last season, he was not at full potential. 
Trengove gave up the captaincy at the end of last season and was dropped after round two this year. He has 81 career games, including 20 in 2013. 
References: ABC and The Age
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Knicks' K-Mart To Have Surgery

New Yorks Knicks' forward Kenyon Martin says that he plans to have surgery on a recurring ankle injury in the next couple of weeks. 
Martin's ankle has sidelined him for the last 35 games this season. 
The timing on this injury and surgery could have come at a better time for Martin, who will become a free agent this summer. Martin, a former No. 1 overall pick, has played in the NBA for 13 years and hopes to continue to play next season. He would like to continue his career with the New York Knicks. 
Martin gave a big lift off the bench during the second half of the 2012-13 season and talked Wednesday about his disappointment over missing the playoff this season.
"We didn't get off to the start we hoped and then injuries played a part, guys in and out of the lineup all year. That's part of it. But us not playing well as a team, that's what it boils down to. We just didn't get it done," Martin said. 
Martin feels it unfair that coach Mike Woodson was left with the blame for the problems the team had this season.
"Woody, he had us prepared every game. It was just we didn't go out and get it done," Martin said. "It wasn't one day we didn't have the shootaround, didn't watch film, or game plan. All that went on still. It's still the same game plan, same scheme, same everything we had last year. We just didn't get it done. Us, with the expectations we had, of course we feel like we underachieved as a bunch."
Martin averaged just 4.3 points and 4.2 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per game in 32 games this season.
Reference: ESPN
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Texas Without Star Quarterback

Texas will be without its star quarterback David Ash while he recovers from surgery required to repair a Jones fracture in his left foot. 
Ash suffered the fracture during spring training practice and had surgery this past week. The team hopes he will be recovered in time for fall camp, according to Texas trainer Anthony Pass.
Ash missed 10 games last season because of concussion-related problems. He will enter this year as a junior with two seasons of eligibility. 
He became the Longhorn's starting quarterback in 2012 and has thrown 4,372 yards and 30 touchdowns in 28 career games. Ash earned praise this spring for his play and had been cleared by UT trainers after his concussion symptoms had subsided. 
Ash will likely face competition for his starting role when he returns, as former USC quarterback Max Wittek has made several trips to Texas and ESPN 300 signee Jerrod Heard will join the team in June. 
A Jones fracture occurs in the small area of the fifth metatarsal that receives less blood and is therefore more prone to difficulties in healing. A Jones fracture can either be a stress fracture (a tiny hairline break that occurs over time) or an acute (sudden) break. Jones fractures are caused by overuse, repetitive stress, or trauma. They are less common and more difficult to treat than avulsion fractures. 
Symptoms include pain, swelling, and tenderness on the outside of the foot, difficulty walking, and bruising. 
If the Jones fracture is not serious, it can be treated with a cast, splint, or walking boot. Recovery time is usually between six and eight weeks. Jones fracture surgery is required in 25 percent of cases when the fracture is displaced, if the problem is chronic, or if it does not heal properly. 
Reference: ESPN. 
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Vikings' Samuda Out With Gruesome Ankle Injury

Even when there are no-contact workouts, athletes can still get seriously injured. 
This happened Tuesday at the Minnesota Vikings' workout at Winter Park. Reserve guard Josh Samuda suffered a dislocated ankle and a broken fibula during a blocking drill. Samuda had to be carried off the field by teammates. 
According to the Minnesota Star-Tribune the 25 year old offensive lineman will have surgery next Wednesday. 
This is not good news for Samuda, who is in his first year with the Vikings after signing a reserve/future contract with the team in January. The 6-foot-3, 310 pound lineman was undrafted out of the University of Massachusetts in 2012. Samuda last played 16 games for the Miami Dolphins during the 2012 season and had no contract with a team for the 2013 season.
A dislocated ankle happens when a sudden force on the ankle causes the ankle to bend beyond its normal range, tearing and damaging the soft tissue. Typically the bones of the ankle will move out of their normal position, causing the dislocation.
For this injury to occur, there has to be a tremendous amount of force or trauma. It can be a common injury in contact sports, like hockey or rugby, or in sports that use rapid directional changes, like football.
Symptoms of an ankle dislocation include immediate pain which spreads to the calf and lower leg. Patients are usually unable to bear any weight on the injured ankle. Swelling and tenderness will also be present, as well as the foot looking out of place. Some patients will experience a loss of blood flow to the area, causing the foot to appear blue or white. Other patients will complain on numbness or a pins and needles sensation in the foot. 
Immediately follow the injury the patient should use the R.I.C.E. method- rest, ice, compression, and elevation to minimize swelling and inflammation. Anti-inflammatory medications may help with the pain and inflammation. 
Once a diagnosis has been reached by a podiatrist, they will attempt to relocate the bone to its normal position. Surgery is often needed to stabilize this injury with screws or plates. After, your podiatrist will recommend complete immobilization of the affected limb to allow the tendons and bone to heal properly. 
References: CBS Sports and Twin Cities
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Angels' Kole Calhoun Headed To DL

It was a frustrating game for the Los Angeles Angels last night against the Oakland Athletics.
Not only did they lose 10-9 in an 11 inning game, the Angels lost right fielder and leadoff hitter Kole Calhoun with a right ankle sprain to the disabled list.
Leading off the bottom of the 11th inning, Calhoun hit a grounder to second base and was able to cross first base. But he then got his right foot caught on a divot beyond the base and had to be helped off the field. 
"I don't know what happened, man, it wasn't anything that special. I didn't see a replay or anything. I just rolled it and it hurt real bad," Calhoun said after the game. "It's just a freak thing, you know?"
Calhoun was on crutches after the game and manager Mike Scioscia said that the right fielder was "definitely" headed for the DL. 
When asked about Scioscia stating that he would be going on the DL, Calhoun responded, "It's disappointing. Nothing solidified right now, but we'll see what happens."
Calhoun went 3-for-6 with a two run home run and a key ninth-inning double in the second consecutive loss to the Angels' division rivals. The right fielder was starting to get into the swing of the season in the last three games, raising his average from .178 to .250.
The Angels are already without outfielder Josh Hamilton, who has a torn ligament in his left thumb. In the meantime, they will put Colin Cowgill in right field. Brennan Boesch or Matt Long will likely be called up from Triple-A Salt Lake, but the team is also pondering Sam Fuld, who is a threat to steal bases, can leadoff, and play outfield.
References: LA Times and MLB
If you are a baseball player with a foot or ankle problem, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
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Doncaster Rover's Brown Played Through Broken Foot

It seems to be a popular theme of my blog posts lately: elite athletes playing with broken feet.
The latest to go this route is Chris Brown of the Doncaster Rovers. Brown played on the broken foot for more than a month, according to Paul Dickov. The 29 year old striker has not missed a game so far since the beginning of the year. 
It sounds like Brown fractured a bone in his foot over the Christmas holiday and has played through the pain barrier since then. Brown had been briefly sidelined in November with a hamstring injury. 
The strategy to stay in the game even with a severe injury paid off for the Doncaster Rovers (not a strategy we could recommend) as Brown scored a goal in home games against Wigan and Charlton. 
Trying the same gamble on Richie Wellens backfired last Tuesday night when the Rovers' skipper lasted just 34 minutes against Bolton. Prior to the game he had taken painkillers for the foot injury he suffered at Leeds.
Dickov said, "Richie put his hand up to play on Tuesday night and there have been a couple occasions this season that players have put their bodies on the line for us.
"We've had lads play after injections and they've been fine. 
"Chris Brown played for about four weeks with a broken foot for us earlier in the season and no one would have known.
"You hope you'll get away with it but obviously we didn't on Tuesday night."
With regards to Wellens' injury, Dickov added, "We've just got to wait and see with Richie. He got a nasty kick on the foot [at Leeds].
"We've had it scanned and there's no fracture there. Hopefully he's back sooner rather than later."
Reference: The Star
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Eli Manning To Have Ankle Surgery

Thursday New York Giants player Eli Manning had arthroscopy surgery on his left ankle. Just two weeks shy of the start of the Giants' offseason program, Manning had a debridement procedure by Dr. Robert Anderson, podiatrist to the sports stars. The purpose of having the surgery was to fix the high ankle sprain he sustained during the 2013 regular season finale against the Redskins.
"I think it's smart to get this procedure done now so the ankle isn't an ongoing issue," he said. "I'm eager to get to work with our new offensive coaches and system."
Manning hopes to be fully recovered and running again in six weeks, so he can return for the team's on-field OTA session, which starts May 28th. The Giants' offseason program starts on April 21st, beginning with classroom sessions, strength and conditioning work and drills, and Manning wants to be a part of them.
"I'm looking forward to the start of the offseason program on the 21st," he said. "I will be in the weight room and in the meeting rooms, so we can all learn the new offense."
Manning sustained the high ankle sprain four months ago when his offensive line failed to protect him once again. He was slammed to the ground by Redskins player Chris Baker right before halftime. Everyone thought he would recuperate in a few weeks and in late January he said his ankle was "doing good."
It was just last week when Manning was at Duke University doing yearly workouts with older brother Peyton, and Giants receivers Victor Cruz and Mario Manningham.
Somehow in the four months since his initial injury the progress on his ankle slowed and he made the decision to have surgery.
"I went through the recovery and rehab after suffering the sprain," Manning said. "I was still experiencing some discomfort as I began my normal offseason preparation, and after consultation, we felt the right thing was to have Dr. Anderson clean out the ankle."
Reference: New York Daily News
If you are a football player with a foot or ankle problem, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
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Lakers' Bazemore To Have Surgery On Torn Tendon

Los Angeles Lakers are down to a bare bones bench after a season of losses. 
The latest to go down with an injury is Kent Bazemore, who left during the first half of Sunday's game during the Los Angeles Clippers with a right foot injury. The team is now working with just eight healthy players for the rest of the season. 
X-rays taken at the time were negative, and the guard underwent an MRI on Monday. 
Turns out Bazemore has more than a simple right foot injury- he tore a tendon in his foot. 
Bazemore will miss the final five games of the season and is scheduled to undergo surgery on the torn tendon. A timetable for his return will be given after surgery. 
The 24 year old guard fell to the floor on Sunday with 10:03 left in the second quarter. It was a non-contact injury and after a timeout, Bazemore had to be helped from the court by teammates Robert Sacre and Jodie Meeks to the locker room to see Lakers trainer Gary Vitti.
Bazemore was acquired at the trade deadline from the Golden State Warriors for Steve Blake and has averaged 13.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.4 steals in 22 games with the Lakers. Prior to injuring his foot, he had two points and four assists in 12 minutes on Sunday. 
Since we do not know specifically which tendon Bazemore tore (it could be his Achilles tendon, peroneal tendon, or posterior tibial tendon) it is difficult to comment on his condition. 
In general, tendon tears, or ruptures, are extremely painful and can cause disability to the foot or ankle. Common causes of a tendon tear include:

• Tendonitis or an overuse injury
• Injury to the foot
• Laceration of the tendon
• A fall
• Steroid use
• Sudden deceleration or stopping motions
• Weakness of the surrounding musculature. 

Symptoms of a torn tendon may include:

• Pain and swelling in area of injury
• An audible pop when the tendon is torn
• Prior history of tendonitis
• Difficulty moving or walking around

In complete tears treatment typically includes surgical intervention. Following surgery complete immobilization of the foot is necessary. Physical therapy may be prescribed to regain function and flexibility in the injured foot.
References: LA Times and ESPN.
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Twins Place Bartlett On Disabled List

The Minnesota Twins placed utility man Jason Bartlett on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a left ankle sprain. The team recalled Rochester Triple-A catcher/outfielder Chris Hermann for Monday's home opener against the Oakland A's.
Bartlett sustained the injury in the sixth inning of Sunday's game against the Cleveland Indians when he slid into home plate. He scored from first base on a three-run double from Chris Colabello and was replaced by Eduardo Escobar. Bartlett had replaced left fielder Josh Willingham, who has hit by a pitch on the left wrist. 
"With Bart, we didn't think it was that big of a deal, but he had to come out of the game and it started to stiffen up on him on the plane last night," Twins assistant general manager Rob Antony said. "He went out on the field today with [head trainer Dave] Pruemer, and he ran around and could feel it. So we had to figure out what we were going to do, and because he wasn't ready for a few days, we decided to put Bartlett on the DL."
Bartlett is 0-3 in his first three games this season. Hermann, on the other hand, started two games for Rochester, and went 7-for-17 (.412) in 14 spring training games with the Twins. He appeared in 57 games last season, going .204 with four home runs and 18 RBIs. 
Hermann is a versatile player who can both catch and play the corner outfields. During Spring Training he played a first base and played there with Rochester in his first two games. 
"Being a versatile player, that's what helps me learn all these positions," Hermann said. "I just feel like I get the hang of it a lot faster than most other people do. I'm not really afraid to try a new position either."
Hermann's impressive Spring Training performance almost helped him make the roster this season.
"I felt like I had a really good spring," Hermann said. "I came out and I swung the bat really well. I started playing some first base. I think I opened up the eyes for our coaching staff. They saw what I could be- even more versatile than I am already."
Reference: MLB
If you are a baseball player with a foot or ankle problem, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
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Foot And Ankle Injuries In Field Hockey

Field hockey, also known in other countries just as hockey, is a team sport consisting of play between two teams of eleven players a piece using short sticks made out of wood wood or fiberglass to hit a hard, round ball. It is a popular sport in Western Europe, Asia, Argentina, and Oceania, and is the national sport of Pakistan. Play can be competitive and aggressive.
Field hockey injuries are often very similar to field sports like soccer and lacrosse because of cutting movements, sharp changes in speed or direction, and the playing turf. Foot and ankle injuries can be common because of how the game is played.
The most common foot and ankle injury sustained by field hockey players is an inversion ankle sprain, the most common type of ankle sprain, consisting of 70-85% of all ankle sprains. An inversion ankle sprain occurs when the foot rolls in, stretching and spraining the lateral (outside) ligaments. When the ankle is inverted, the anterior talofibular and the calcaneofibular ligaments are damaged.
Inversion ankle sprains can be misdiagnosed occasionally. If your anterior talofibular or calcaneofibular ligaments have not been strained, you may instead have peroneal tendon dislocation. There are two peroneal tendons that run side-by-side behind the outer ankle bone, with one tendon connecting to the outer part of the midfoot, and the other tendon connecting under the foot inside the arch. The job of these tendons is to stabilize the foot and ankle and prevent sprains.
If you're experiencing pain, swelling, and the area is warm to the touch, you may have the symptoms of peroneal tendonitis. Proper diagnosis is crucial for this condition, as symptoms will worsen with incorrect or no treatment. Most often treatment includes immobilization, bracing, and physical therapy.
Ankle, metatarsal, and Lisfranc fractures can occur in field hockey and sometimes require surgery to repair the fracture.
Overuse and excessive training may result in heel pain, Achilles tendonitis, sesamoiditis, stress fractures, and posterior tibial tendonitis. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction is often called adult acquired flatfoot because it is the most common type of flatfoot that develops during adulthood. The posterior tibial tendon is one of the major supporting tendons of the foot and aids in walking. This condition occurs when the tendon has been weakened and its ability to support the arch has been impaired. Symptoms include pain, swelling, flattening of the arch, and an inward rolling of the ankle. It is typically a progressive injury and early treatment is crucial. If caught early, treatment can be non-surgical and include orthotics, immobilization, physical therapy, and shoe modifications.
If you are a field hockey player with a foot or ankle problem, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
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Florida's Hill Looking To Beat UCONN This Time

Kasey Hill is hoping to get his revenge on UCONN tonight.
When Florida last faced UCONN on December 2nd Hill watched from the bench with a high ankle sprain. Florida fell to UCONN in Storrs when Shabazz Napier hit a buzz beater to bring the final score to 65-64. The team played the final three minutes without a point guard because starter Scottie Wilbekin went down with an ankle injury and did not return.
Hill is hoping tonight will different, even though he has played throughout the NCAA Tournament with turf toe. He will be ready to face the Huskies tonight at 6:09 p.m. in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
"Kasey can definitely help us; it gives us more depth in the backcourt," coach Bill Donovan said.
"I think Kasey in the tournament, and even going back to the SEC has come on. He's played better. He's improved. I've got confidence in him. He makes our team faster when he's out there."
Hill agrees that he's been playing better recently. "(I've been) just playing with more confidence, playing aggressive. Just trying to play my hardest for this team and give them all I got," he said.
In four tournament games, Hill has averaged 5.3 points per game and has totaled a team high 15 assists against only four turnovers.
Hill says that while his turf toe has caused him discomfort during the tournament, he will be fine tonight. Coach Donovan shared the same sentiment Monday.
"I know turf toe is painful, but come on, we're playing in the Final Four," Donovan said.
"He'll be fine. He's a great kid. Hopefully his toe will be OK and he'll be able to play. But I do appreciate him working through that. He doesn't appear to be in a lot of pain when he's running around out there. He's moving pretty well."
Turf toe is a sprain of the joint just below the big toe, also known as the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. Injuries to the joint can include damage to the ligaments as well as the joint capsule. The end result is pain with both extension and flexion of the big toe which translates to pain anytime the athlete tries to walk, jump, jog, run, or jump- all crucial for Hill during a game.
The severity of the injury is directly related to the amount of force causing the injury. Turf toe can range from a mild injury with only minor ligament damage to a chronic injury involving inflammation of the joint capsule and progressive cartilage formation and calcification of the head of the first metatarsal.
Turf toe can be caused by either one traumatic injury or from repetitive injuries that continue to aggravate the original injury. Most turf toe injuries are caused by a hyperflexion injury when the big toe hits an unyielding surface, forcing the toe beyond its normal range of motion.
Treatment generally includes the R.I.C.E. method: rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
Reference: Independent Florida Alligator
If you are a basketball player with a foot or ankle problem, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
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Canadian Hockey Played With Broken Foot During Olympics

More than a month after the Sochi Winter Olympics ended, Canadian hockey player Hayley Wickenheiser admitted that she played throughout the games and lead the team to an Olympic gold medal with a broken foot. 
Tuesday the 35 year old forward was wearing a walking boot on her left foot at the Hockey Hall of Fame as a guest speaker at the hockey summit.
"I've had a broken foot for about a year now so I'm trying to fix it," Wickenheiser said. "I'm wearing this boot so I can avoid having that surgery, hopefully.
"I knew it was broken at the time (of the Olympics). We just found out it was a little more serious break than we thought. It was just managing the pain."
Wickenheiser did a wonderful job of hiding the injury as neither fans or nor the media picked up on it. She helped lead the Canadian team to a spectacular 3-2 overtime win over the United States in the gold medal game. 
With this being an Olympic year and rest not being an option until after the games, Wickenheiser had to work with the injury. Now that the national team's session is over she has had her foot in a walking boot for two weeks.
"It's kind of perfect timing to rest the foot and just be able to get healthy again," she said. "I spent a lot of time on the bike versus running and did some work around trying to stabilize the foot."
Wickenheiser is one tough cookie. She played in the 2006 Olympics with a broken wrist and was still the tournament's top scorer and MVP. Sports Illustrated included her in their list of 25 toughest athletes in 2008. 
Wickenheiser has won five Olympic medals, including a silver medal at Nagano in 1998. She would like one more opportunity to bring another Olympic medal home for Canada. 
"I think it's fair," Wickenheiser said. "We always say pressure is a privilege and you have an opportunity to win a gold medal because people think you can."
She's however not sure what the future holds for her hockey career. 
"I'll probably go year by year, starting with next year's world championship," she said. "I still love to play. I think I can still play at a high level and be the player I want to be. So until I can't do that anymore, I'll keep playing."
In general, if you still have a broken bone in your foot, ankle, or toe, for more than a year, serious damage is being done. We would suspect that the walking boot alone will not be enough for Wickenheiser and she will require surgery on the broken bone in her foot. 
Reference: Sports Illustrated
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Ohio State's Jeff Heuerman Out After Surgery

Ohio State senior tight end Jeff Heuerman will see limited time in spring training after sustaining a mid-foot injury that required surgery on Monday. 
Heuerman is one of the team's most respected leaders and one of Ohio's top returning threats in the passing game and will be sidelined from workouts until early June. 
According to coach Urban Meyers Heuerman's injury is a "midfoot sprain" and one that would not keep the tight end from missing significant time.
"It's six weeks in a cast [and a] boot, and we should have him ready to go full-speed in June," Meyer told reporters. 
Meyer texted the Columbus Dispatch that Heuerman would be back in no time." 
This is the third season ending injury for the Buckeyes since spring training opened last month. Heuerman joins safety Vonn Bell and backup receiver Jalin Marshall on the injured list. All three will be recovered in time for summer workouts. 
Heuerman finished his junior year with 26 catches for 466 yards and four touchdowns, but was also a physical presence as a run blocker for one of the nation's best rushing attacks. 
With top receiver Corey Brown gone, Heuerman could be one of the Buckeyes biggest threats in the aerial attack in his senior year. 
Since we don't know specifically what type of midfoot sprain Heuerman has (it could be a Lisfranc sprain), typically a midfoot sprain is an injury to the ligaments of the central area of the foot. This is a common injury in athletes who do a lot of cutting and twisting.
A midfoot sprain occurs when the athlete's body turns and their foot stays in place. The twisting motion is transferred through their foot instead of the ground. This injury can also occur when another athlete steps on the back of the patient's heel. 
Those who experience midfoot sprains usually experience immediate pain and then swelling in the central area of their foot. Bruising may occur on the top or bottom of the foot and the athlete will complain of pain when attempting to bear weight. 
Most midfoot sprains are mild and do not require surgery like Heuerman's. Treatment involves immobilization with a boot, as well as icing, elevation, and anti-inflammatory medications. 
References: ESPN and CBS Sports
If you are a football player with a foot or ankle problem, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
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Hockey Players Out With Foot Injuries

So it turns out that the sore ankle Nail Yakupov was suffering from is not just a sore ankle. 
Yakupov has missed the last few Edmonton Oilers' games because of an ankle fracture. Coach Dallas Eakin told reporters Tuesday morning before the game against the San Jose Sharks the change in player's status. 
Yakupov took a shot off his ankle on February 27th against the Minnesota Wild and missed the next game on March 1st against Calgary. He was able to play the next seven games in a row, but missed games against the Nashville Predators, the Buffalo Sabres, the Calgary Flames, and the San Jose Sharks in the six-game homestand. 
Following the team's morning skate on Monday Eakin said, "Yak might start skating Friday."
Yakupov has had a stellar second season, scoring 11 goals and a -.33plus/minus rating just a year after his rookie year that boasted 17 goals in 48 games. 
Yakupov even played solid minutes through the pain, averaging 17 to 18 minutes per game while injured. 
While Yakupov is out, Anton Lander is filling in, on line with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
The Pittsburgh Penguins will likely be without Evgeni Malkin for two to three weeks after the star injured his foot. 
The team's official Twitter account tweeted on Tuesday, "Per Coach Bylsma: #Pens Evgeni Malkin has a foot injury and will be out 2-3 weeks."
This is potentially a season-ending injury, as the Penguin's final game is on April 13th, which is roughly three weeks away. There is concern this close to the playoffs is a concern for a team that does not have a lot of depth. However, the team is used to it this year, having suffering injuries to star players throughout the season.
Malkin has already missed 11 games this season, but is still the team's second-leading scorer with 72 points. In the last 10 games the Penguins are 5-4-1 and are unlikely to catch the Boston Bruins for the top slot in the Eastern Conference. 
References: Edmonton Journal and CBS Sports. 
If you are a hockey player with a foot or ankle problem, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
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Oklahoma State Guard Bias Vows To Play In Today's Game

Oklahoma State point guard Tiffany Bias must overcome a left ankle injury sustained during Monday's 73-66 victory over Purdue to play in today's Sweet Sixteen game against Notre Dame. 
"I haven't missed a game," Bias said. "I'll be there on Saturday."
The Cowgirls' point guard has played at least 40 minutes in 38 games and with just one more game will be the school's career leader in games played (133) and games started (132). Bias is determined to play in today's game against the undefeated Notre Dame.
"I anticipate she'll play," said coach Jim Littrell. "I know she's a young lady who will go through every minute of therapy she can. We got back at 3:30 in the morning and she was at therapy at 8 o'clock (Tuesday morning) because she wants to play. 
"She's got some work to do over the next few days to get ready, but I know if there's any way possible for her to play, she'll play."
Bias severely rolled her ankle in the second half when she stepped on another player's foot. She was on the court for several minutes in clear pain before being helped to the training room. She returned to the bench later in the game. 
"I knew she was hurting," Littrell said. "She throws her body around and goes down at times, and I never go out on the floor because I don't want to take her out of the game.
"I could see that it was different this time, and I went out. I knew she was hurt, and she's one of those kids who's been fortunate her whole life to never be hurt. I think it was a little bit scary for her."
Freshman Roshunda Johnson took her place and the Cowgirls were able to hold on to their lead. Bias was able to overcome the pain, relying on adrenaline, and came back with three minutes left in the game. 
"Before I went off the floor to the training room, I told the girls just to finish the game," she said. "If they needed me, I was going to play. If not, I was going to cheer my team on either way."
Bias has been a team player through tough times. She stayed at Oklahoma State after the terrible plane crash that took the lives of head coach Kurt Budke and assistant Miranda Serna in November 2011. 
That toughness has been a positive for Bias, who became the team's career assists leader. She has a nonstop motor during sprints in practice and it should be no surprise to her fans that as soon as her ankle was taped up she requested to go back on the court. 
"She went out in the last game and came back in within 10 minutes," Johnson said. "She's really tough. She never quits."
We wish Tiffany the best of luck in their game against Notre Dame- but if Oklahoma goes against UCONN, we're UCONN all the way!
Reference: Tulsa World
If you are a basketball player with a foot or ankle problem, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
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Cubs' Ruggiano Out With Swollen Ankle

Chicago Cubs player Justin Ruggiano has been scratched from the past few games because of a swollen left ankle. He woke up Tuesday morning with the ailment.
If this had been the regular season, Ruggiano says he would be in the lineup, but he decided to be cautious with his ankle. He was scratched from the lineup against the Angels and does not think the problem is serious. 
"I just woke up a little swollen, not comfortable to run around on now," Ruggiano said. "Given the fact that we're a week out (before the season starts), I want to give it one day. I'll be fine tomorrow."
Ruggiano received treatment for the inflammation in his ankle on Tuesday and was in the batting cages getting some hitting in before his appointment. 
"I think what I did was break up some old scar tissue," he said. "There was no (ankle) roll, nothing that happened.
"It felt good yesterday," he said. "I did it before the game. Played the whole game, felt good, went home, you sleep for 12 hours, 10 hours, and then it has time for the swelling to set it. That's all it is now, it's just swollen." 
If this was the regular season, Ruggiano said he would "definitely" be in the lineup. 
Inflammation is the body's normal protective response to an injury, irritation, or surgery. This natural "defense" process brings increased blood flow to the area, resulting in an accumulation of fluid. As the body mounts this protective response, the symptoms of inflammation develop. These include swelling, pain, and increased warmth and redness of the skin. 
Inflammation can be acute or chronic, and it sounds as though Ruggiano's inflammation is chronic. When it is chronic, the inflammation reflects an ongoing response to a longer-term medical condition, such as arthritis.
Although inflammation can be caused by an infection, they are not the same and are treated differently. Your foot or ankle surgeon can best determine the cause of your inflamed tissue. 
To reduce inflammation and the resulting swelling and pain, injured tissue needs to be properly treated. The earlier you start treatment, the better. 
Initial treatment will include the R.I.C.E. therapy (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), as well as an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen . The symptoms of inflammation typically go away after two or three days. If your pain or discomfort do not improve after three days, call your doctor or go to an emergency room to determine whether a more serious problem exists. If Ruggiano's swelling has not gone down by today, he should seek further medical attention to determine if there is a more severe problem. 
Reference: MLB
If you are a baseball player with a foot or ankle problem, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
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