Let’s start with some background about the Lisfranc Joint. It is located between the midfoot and forefoot at the joints between the metatarsals and the cuneiforms and cuboid bones [collectively known as the tarsal bones]. There is a special Lisfranc ligament that connects the 2^nd metatarsal to the 1^st cuneiform. Lisfranc joint injuries are rare, but can be difficult to treat as they are often misdiagnosed. So how do Lisfranc injuries occur? It is most commonly occurs in automobile accident victims, military personnel, runners, football players (and other contact sports), and sometimes even a staircase foot slip can all cause the injury. If you fit in one of these categories of personnel and are experiencing pain and swelling in the aforementioned region then please come see Dr. Steinberg, Dr. Yanes, or Dr. Ho at Frederick Foot and Ankle Specialists.

Why should we write about an injury that rarely occurs? Well, simply because if it does occur you should be aware of the symptoms and complications that can arise from the injury. Matt Schaub, of the Houston Texans (NFL), was recently diagnosed (last Sunday!) with a Lisfranc injury. His injury, most likely, occurred as he planted his forefoot to the ground, had his heel in the air and twisted his foot. Obviously, to be certain of the injury Matt Schaub went to see his doctor and a Foot and Ankle Specialist. Coincidentally, that’s part of our practice’s name! Visit us at our locations in Frederick or Urbana, MD to get your consultation of your injury.

We’ll do the necessary tests and referrals to properly diagnose your injury and get you the proper treatment for your ailment. If the injury is stable (bones aligned) we’ll begin with a period of immobilization followed by gradual return to activity. However, if it is unstable surgical treatment may be recommended. Surgery will depend on the amount of swelling the patient presents and the severity of the injury. We want to make sure you get the correct treatment because we don’t want you to experience changes in your foot, such as, widening of the foot. Recovery from such an injury can take anywhere from 6 months to 1 year. We’ll definitely make sure to take all the precautions to ensure a fast and speedy recovery!

As always check your feet daily and stop by! It can help avoid future health problems!

By. Dr. Yenisey Yanes

Being pregnant is a joyous and miraculous experience. Women can go through a lot of changes during their pregnancy course. There are ups and downs along the ride, but in the end it’s always worth it to see your baby’s first smile. Unfortunately, an overlooked pregnancy complaint is foot pain.

The natural weight gain that comes with pregnancy can severely shift a woman’s center of gravity. By simply changing your center of gravity you change your stance, the amount of pressure on your knees and feet, and your overall gait. At Frederick Foot and Ankle Specialists we can help alleviate some pains brought by pregnancy. Two common foot problems experienced by pregnant women are over-pronation (moving the foot/ankle inward) and edema (swelling).

Flat feet can occur from the sudden increase in weight and gait changes. The arch may flatten and cause the feet to roll inward while walking. This of course can create further problems, such as, agitating your plantar fascia. By bottoming-out your arches you can cause extreme stretching on your plantar fascia, which can create plantar fasciitis (a condition that is painful and lengthy on the bottom of your feet). Another common problem in pregnant women is the development of ligamentous laxity (loosening of ligaments). The body tries to compensate for the sudden changes by allowing the ligaments to stretch and accommodate more. However, this can lead to permanent flat feet, along with many other local and systemic conditions. So before all these conditions occurs to you, come see Dr. Yanes, Dr. Steinberg, or Dr. Ho in our offices located at Frederick or Urbana, MD.

Any woman is susceptible to having foot pains while being pregnant! When Angelina Jolie was pregnant with twins she used Nike insoles in her shoes to avoid her arches from bottoming-out from the extra weight. Just like Angelina Jolie did, you should seek out professional medical advice and see what can prevent/alleviate your foot pain! At Frederick Foot and Ankle Specialist we will try all the conservative methods to help ease the pain. We can recommend stable shoes, proper-fitting over-the-counter arch supports and if needed some prescribed orthotics.

As always check your feet daily and stop by! It can help avoid future health problems!

Are you on your feet constantly all day while at work? Well, the reason might not be having the right shoes for the job! At Fredericks Foot and Ankle Specialists we can help explain the proper walking movement and shoes one should have in order to avoid foot pains. Feet are probably the most overlooked and underappreciated body part. No one really minds for them until, well, they start to hurt.

If you work in the service industry, you know you’re on your feet the whole day. You probably take more steps than the average person (10,000 steps/day) does. Service workers are more susceptible to foot problems due to the amount of time they are on their feet and type of shoe they wear. 

At our locations in Frederick and Urbana, MD we always mention to patients that high heels are not ideal footwear to wear for 8 hours/day. We recommend, if you can only wear them for a few hours a day; by simply following that recommendation you will be better serving yourself in the long term. If you wear high heels like Gwyneth Paltrow or any female celebrity wearing heels over 3 inches high, please read carefully the following facts. Wearing high heels constantly cause fractures on your ankle, disrupt the posture of your walking movement and shift your body pressure to the front of your foot. This can cause unwanted calluses and lead to many other problems that can range from knee pain to lower back misalignment.

For men, it is equally important for you to find a nice comfortable pair of dress shoes. It is important to get the proper size, width, arch support and material in order to assure a comfortable day at work (at least while being on your feet). If you stand for extended periods of time shoes with soft, pliable, and cushioned soles will protect your feet and help keep them comfortable. For both genders: It is advised to have three to five pairs of shoes for work so that you can alternate your shoes on a daily basis. This can avoid wear and tear and let the shoes air out and prevent fungi growth.

If any foot-related problem arises, take the time and visit our doctors Dr. Steinberg, Dr. Ho, or Dr. Yanes. At our offices we can help trim and debride unwanted calluses, treat corns, hammertoes (caused by tight shoes), and provide custom-fit orthotics. It is better to have a professional look and treat your feet to avoid reoccurrences and future painful episodes!

As always check your feet daily and stop by! It can help avoid future health problems!

80% of Americans at some point experience lower back pain. Harvard Medical School published a study that claimed this statistic and found that it is the fifth most common reason to see a physician. Research has shown that much of the alleged suffering actually is a result of poor biomechanics of the feet.

Improper alignment of the feet can affect the 'kinetic chain' all the way up to the spine while walking. The kinetic chain is another way of saying the energy transferred from you foot striking the ground to the joints of your back. For more information on how the kinetic chain is affected by your feet set up an appointment at Frederick Foot and Ankle Specialists at our locations: Frederick and Urbana, MD.

Imagine this: gravity, your body weight and the velocity at which you are traveling striking the ground with each step. The force created can be immense. It is crucial for that force to be dissipated throughout the body equally. When that does not occur stress on joints and other structures can occur. Ailments such as: meniscus damage, tendonitis, muscle pain and even stress fractures occur within the body.

About 9 out of 10 times, correcting the misalignment in the feet can relieve lower back and knee pain. This can be achieved with the help of orthotics. There are over-the-counter (OTC) orthotics and "custom-fitted" orthotics. While OTC orthotics can relieve some pain, customized orthotics are the best devices for optimal relief. There are 3 types of orthotics: rigid, soft and semi-rigid. Come talk to Dr. Yanes, Dr. Steinberg or Dr. Ho to get an expert opinion and prescription on what orthotic is right for you and your lifestyle.

The NBA Boston Celtics players and athletic trainers have expressed the necessity of having orthotics for athletes when misalignment of the foot is present. Many other team trainers such as Syracuse University, University of Florida and many Olympians are strong proponents of orthotics. These professional athletes use custom orthotics as a method to prevent injury and as a performance enhancer (it can improve speed, vertical jump and foot/leg alignment).

As always check your feet regularly and stop by! 

Have you dropped a large object on your foot and permanently damaged your nail? Or do you have yellow discolored toenails that you refuse to be seen in public? Well Keryflex might be a solution for you! Dr. Yanes and Dr. Steinberg can create a nail for you at both our locations: Fredrick, MD or Urbana, MD. Before we dive in and explain the Keryflex treatment, let’s get educated a little about fungal toenails.

Many times fungal toenail infections go unnoticed, however, they are a common foot health problem and can persist for years without ever causing pain. Normally characterized as a change in a toenail's color, brittle or thickening of nail. Fungal nails are infections underneath the surface of the nail and can ultimately lead to difficulty and pain when walking or running.

Shoes such as Ugg boots are a breathing ground for fungus. Dr. Olivier Zong, DPM has proven that these trendy sheepskin shoes are given patients more fungal problems. The problem lies in the patient not wearing any socks with the shoe and allowing excess moisture to build in the shoe. This, of course, applies to all footwear not just Uggs.

You can prevent fungal nail infections by taking the following precautions: exercise proper hygiene on your feet, keep them dry and clip nails straight.  Depending on the type of infection you have, a topical or oral medication may need to be prescribed, and the diseased nail matter and debris removed. This can all be done at Frederick Foot and Ankle Specialists during your visit.

Let’s switch focus to the new technique called Keryflex. Keryflex improves the appearance of damaged nails by creating a flexible artificial nail. How does it work? First, the nail bed is prepared, with debridement of the nail and treatment of fungal nail (if necessary). A Keryflex bond is brushed onto the current nail plate and nail bed. Then Keryflex Resin gel is placed, which allows for the shaping of the nail. Lastly, Keryflex seal is applied after the shaping and UV light hardens the substances within 2 minutes.

Keryflex can allow the patient to consider this treatment as opposed to the expensive oral antifungal therapy. Not to mention, the nail will look great! It is highly advised to seek medical treatment if you show any fungal nail symptoms, the longer the patient delays the visit the tougher finding a cure can be.