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Foot and Ankle Center of Northern Colorado
1931 65th Ave. #A
Greeley, CO 80634
970-351-0900 |
Drs
Hatch
and
Vaardahl
recently attended the American College of Foot and
Ankle Surgeons annual meeting in Long Beach ,Ca. Dr Hatch completed his
term as president of that organization and is serving as immediate past
president.
Medical assistants': Sheri and Amy attended a seminar in Denver on foot
and ankle biomechanics.
Our office is now fully automated with electronic medical records and
digital radiography. We additionally have become a regional referral
source for treating pediatric clubfoot deformities.
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Click on the “OurDoctorStore”
icon. This site features many competitively priced products that can be
shipped conveniently to your home. |
| Travel Tips to Help Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis |
It's that time of year to pack your bags and head off to your favorite
destination. But while you're riding in the car or travelling by plane,
remember to stretch those legs to hel prevent a serious condition known
as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).
DVT is a condition in which a blood clot (a blockage) forms in vein
locate deep within the leg. These clots most commonly occur in the veins
of the leg, but they can also develop in other parts of the body. If the
clot breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream, it can lodge in
the lung. This blockage in the lung, called a pulmonary embolism, can
make it difficult to breathe and may even cause death.
Certain people are more at risk than others for developing DVT. Some
examples of risk factors include varicose veins, blood clotting.
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disorders, pregnancy or recent childbirth, obesity, and heart disease.
People over 40 years old, those who have had recent surgery, or those
who are immobile through inactivity or wearing a cast are also more at
risk for DVT.
Some people with DVT in the leg have either no warning signs at all or
very vague symptoms. If any of the following warning signs or symptoms
are present, it is important to make an appointment with our office
for an evaluation:
- Swelling in the leg
- Pain in the calf or thigh
- Warmth and redness of the leg
If you have risk factors for DVT and plan on taking a long trip this
season, follow these tips to reduce the likelihood of developing a
blood clot:
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- Exercise legs every 2 to 3 hours to get the blood flowing back to
the heart. Walk up and down the aisle of a plane or train, rotate ankles
while sitting, and take regular breaks on road trips.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids; avoid caffeine and
alcohol.
- Consider wearing compression stockings.
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Bikes and Swimming Pools: Great Ways to Take the Stress off Your Feet
Many of us have been hibernating indoors throughout the winter months and
are ready to head outdoors with the first signs of spring. Biking and
swimming are two of the best exercises if you have foot pain. Why? When you
ride a bike or swim in a pool, there is no direct impact on your feet while
you get a great workout!
With any exercise, it's important to start slowly,
and gradually work into a routine. If you notice a sudden increase in foot
pain as a result of your workout, call our office for an appointment.
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Spring into Sports without Spraining Your Ankle
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As the weather gets warmer across
the county, many of us tend to head
outside and exercise with our favorite
activity. But don't let the arrival of
springtime sports be the arrival of an
ankle sprain.
An ankle sprain is an injury to one or
more ligaments in the ankle, usually on
the outside of the ankle. Ligaments are
bands of tissue - like rubber bands -
that connect one bone to another and
bind the joints together. The severity of
an ankle sprain depends on whether
the ligament is stretched, partially torn,
or completely torn.
Ankle sprains are one of the most
common injuries in athletes. Sports
that involve quick, sudden movements,
such as basketball, tennis, and soccer
can trigger these injuries.
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Help prevent ankle sprains this spring with these tips:
- Perform exercises that help improve balance, lower leg strength
and flexibility.
- Use warm-up stretches and exercises before playing sports.
- Wear the right shoes for the sport. For example, support your
ankle by wearing court shoes, not running shoes, when playing sports
that involve side-to-side movement, such as tennis and
basketball.
- Use an ankle brace if you're recovering from an injury or have
repeatedly sprained your ankle.
If you injure your ankle, don't think it's "just an ankle sprain" and
hope it will heal on its own. Any ankle sprain requires prompt medical
attention and diagnosis.
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Left untreated, an
ankle sprain can lead to chronic
ankle instability. In some cases, an
injury may appear to be an ankle
sprain when in actuality it is a more
severe injury, such as a fracture.
Contact our office for an appointment
as soon as possible. In the meantime,
use "RICE" - Rest, Ice, Compression,
and Elevation - to help reduce
swelling, pain, and further injury.
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