It has been a long misguided stereotype that ballroom dancing only required minimal athleticism and physical fitness.  For anyone involved in this sport, it is well understood that a superior level of conditioning is needed to compete at the highest level.  The average person has come to deeper appreciation of this fact with the advent and popularity of ABC’s show Dancing with the Stars.  This reality TV show gives the public an inside view of professional dancers teaching and training popular celebrities and athletes to perform difficult dance steps and precisely choreographed dance routines in front of millions of viewers.

The show has been running for almost a decade and has featured celebrities from all walks of the entertainment business.  It has been entertaining to see how someone with no dancing experience can turn into a full-fledged dancer in just a few short weeks.

Not only have we gotten to know the celebrities, the professional dancers have become celebrities in their own right.  One of the more controversial professional dancers is Maksim Chmerkovskiy.  Chmerkovskiy has been known to speak his mind when he disapproves of the judges’ critiques or if he feels his celebrity is not given the respect for their improvement from week to week.

However, this upcoming season will have to find a replacement for Maksim.  It has been reported that over the last several years of training non-dancers, Maksim has sustained substantial wear and tear to his ankle, causing some discomfort that has sidelined him for this season.  He will undergo surgery to help relieve some of his pain.  The producers of the show are doing their best to find a way for him to stay involved with the show since he is one of the favorite professional dancers.

Ankle pain is common, but has many causes.  This pain can often be controlled and managed with conservative measures.  If pain persists, there are minimally invasive procedures like ankle arthroscopy that can be beneficial.  Please contact Advanced Foot Care Centers in Chattanooga to meet with one of our doctors to address your ankle pain.  Dr Aaron Solomon is one of our physicians who can put together a treatment plan to help you get on the road to recovery.

Also, our very own Dr. Kraus will be participating in a local charity event, “Dancing with the Chattanooga Stars”. Go to the website and vote for him now! www.dancingwiththechattanoogastars.com/ira

Plantar Fasciitis is affecting the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Playoffs.  Read the article below:

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nba/story/_/id/9190457/2013-nba-playoffs-joakim-noah-chicago-bulls-says-doubtful-play-vs-brooklyn-nets

If you have read any of my previous blog posts over the last couple months, you will notice a common thread.  I am a huge basketball fan and more specifically, a Laker fan.  Growing up in Southern California, the Lakers are always a topic of conversation, even if they have a down year or if it’s the offseason.  This year has been especially tumultuous due to the high expectations of this year’s team that came with the high profile acquisitions of Dwight Howard and Steve Nash during the offseason, as well as the firing of Mike Brown and the hiring of Mike D’Antoni as the coach.

But, as we all know, it takes more than marquee names and money to put together a winning team.  This season for the Lakers has tested their will to win.  Despite all of the obstacles, Kobe Bryant and his Lakers were primed to squeak into the last playoff spot in the Western Conference.  In order to be in this position, the 34 year old Bryant had to play extended minutes, even an entire game without a rest if needed.  It seemed as if this effort was about to payoff, until a recent game against the Golden State warriors.

Bryant was about to make a drive to the basket when he felt a kick in the back of his leg.  Kobe went to the floor in pain unable to walk.  He looked at the guy defending him to see if he had kicked his leg.  When that player denied touching him, Bryant knew the he had seriously injured himself.  After being examined, it was determined that Bryant had ruptured his Achilles tendon, an injury that required him to undergo surgery.

Achilles tendon injuries are very common injuries in both high trained athletes and the average 40 year old playing sports on the weekend.  These injuries can be treated conservatively without surgery, or with surgical repair.  The choice to pursue either choice depends on age, medical history, and patient activity goals after surgery.  If you live in Northern Georgia or the greater Chattanooga area and are experiencing Achilles tendon pain, come see us at Advanced Foot Care Centers.  We have locations from Hixson, TN to Dalton, GA, as well as several locations in Chattanooga.  Dr. Ira Kraus will be able to work with you to resolve your symptoms and prevent rupture in the future.

If you live in Northern Georgia or the greater Chattanooga area and are experiencing foot pain, come see us at Advanced Foot Care Centers.  We have locations from Hixson, TN to Dalton, GA, as well as several locations in Chattanooga.  Dr. Michael Wiles works at both our Chattanooga and Fort Oglethorpe locations and will be able to help resolve some of the foot pain you are dealing with.  As summer gets closer and the temperatures warm up, make sure your feet are in great shape.  Be assured, however, that even the actors we love to watch in the theaters deal with some of the same problems you struggle with.

Tom Cruise recently starred in a movie called Jack Reacher, a film based on a 2005 novel by Lee Child entitled One Shot.  This is an American action film released in 2012 involving former US Army snipers involved in some possible shootings in Pittsburgh, PA.  Cruise played the role of Jack Reacher, a friend of the suspected killer who attempts to help uncover the true killers.

Cruise was recently on the Graham Norton Show, a popular British comedy and talk show.  Cruise related that while filming the movie, he had suffered some swelling and pain localized to his ankle.  However, he sustained the injury in a most unusual way.  To quote Cruise, “There’s a scene where I’m kicking a guy in the balls, the testicles,” Cruise said. “It was a human being, [but] no testicles were injured in the making of the film! We had to do the take over and over again, and the first 10 times it was like ‘Yeah!’” he joked raising his arms in victory. “After about 50 times in, my foot was swelling…I kept having to loosen my shoe.”

This humorous exchange teaches us to avoid kicking something repeatedly, or else.

By Dr. Aaron Solomon

After yesterday’s basketball games, the Final Four of the Men’s NCAA tournament has been set.  The games will be played in Atlanta in the Georgia Dome.  Going to this year’s final is Michigan, Syracuse, Wichita St, and Louisville.  As has been the case in previous years, the road to this point has been difficult and somewhat unlikely for a couple of these teams.  But Louisville’s journey to the final four was marked with an incredibly gruesome injury.

Kevin Ware, a 6 foot 2 inch guard for Louisville was an important part of the Louisville defense.  They were involved in a fierce battle with Duke, a basketball powerhouse that has a long history of success.  The two teams were only separated by a couple points in the 1^st half with about 7 minutes to go when a Duke guard pulled up to shoot a 3 point basket.  Ware went up to contest the shot, but as he came down, he suffered a terrible injury.  On live television, it could be seen that as Ware landed, his calf gave out on him.  His leg snapped in half, with bone easily being seen on television.

Ware had probably jumped to block a shot thousands of times growing up and through college without any problem.  Never before in an NCAA tournament game had such a freak injury been seen.  Open fractures like that Ware suffered is a surgical emergency.  Bone that is exposed to the external environment is at risk for infection.  If the bone becomes infected, it has to be removed.  For that reason, if you suffer an open fracture of any kind, it is vital to seek out medical care immediately.

Our podiatric physicians at Advanced Foot Care Centers can help you get back on your feet after fractures of the foot and ankle.  Contact either one of our Chattanooga locations and schedule an appointment with Dr. Aaron Solomon.

Being a personality in Hollywood may seem like the easiest job in the world. You’re paid the big bucks to speak your mind on television, participate on reality TV shows, and wear some of the most expensive and luxurious clothing money can buy.   You get to have staff to do your hair and makeup, and spend your time flying to this or that big party or media event. But for Kelly Osbourne, the daughter of the famous British rock star Ozzy Osbourne, the limelight isn’t always shining and bright. Kelly Osbourne has suffered for years with flat feet and bunions—conditions she has neglected to treat.   In addition to her flat feet and bunions, Osbourne tore the cartilage at the base of both of her big toes and needs surgery on both feet to fix it.

Many foot conditions can be treated with conservative measures.  Stretching, immobilization, rest, ice, injections, anti-inflammatory medication, footwear modifications, and custom orthotics are some of the noninvasive treatments available that can offer relief.  In most situations, these options are exhausted before turning to surgery.  However, there are some conditions that have been observed to be resistant to conservative options.  Bunion deformities are one such condition that typically do not get better with bracing or footwear modification.  Surgery tends to be the most definitive way to resolve this condition.  Depending on how severe the bunion is, different procedures can be used.  The important point is that bunions will only get worse with time and increasingly painful.

Our podiatric physicians at Advanced Foot Care Centers treat bunion deformities and similar foot ailments.  Contact either one of our Chattanooga locations and schedule an appointment with Dr. Ira Kraus.  He will talk to you about the different options available in treating your bunion and what can be done to insure it does not come back after surgery.

March is a month devoted to basketball.  Between the last push for teams trying to make the NBA playoffs and the college conference tournaments wrapping up with the formation of the NCAA bracket and March Madness, basketball will be the focus of the sports world.

If you have paid attention to the drama in Los Angeles this year, you know that the Lakers were projected to contend for an NBA championship, led by Kobe Bryant.  However, the Lakers have struggled to learn to play together and are in jeopardy of missing the playoffs.  In recent weeks, they have been playing well and have kept themselves in the playoff picture.

But last week, the Lakers experienced a huge setback.  Kobe Bryant and the Lakers were in Atlanta playing the Hawks.  Kobe had the ball and was attempting to tie the game in the closing seconds.  Kobe shot a fade-away jump-shot but came down on the defenders foot, causing him to sprain his ankle.  X-rays were negative and Kobe was able to walk out of the arena that night, but Kobe tweeted out that this was the worst ankle sprain he had experienced.  He even tweeted out a picture of his swollen foot.

Ankle sprains are no joke.  They can cause crippling pain and keep someone from exercising for weeks.  Sometimes people assume that no long term damage is done if the bones aren’t fractured.  However, multiple sprains can damage the surrounding ligaments, tendons, and cartilage within the ankle joint.  Kobe is still recovering from his sprain and it has yet to be seen if this will result in the Lakers missing the playoffs.

If you are currently having ankle pain, do not delay seeking treatment.  Visit one of the Advanced Foot Care Centers serving the greater Chattanooga area and Northern Georgia.  Dr Clair Bello is one of podiatric physicians well trained in treating ankle pain.  Make an appointment today and get your feet feeling good.

By Dr Ira Kraus

Little else matters when your feet hurt.  If you are dealing with new foot pain, or if your feet have hurt for years, don’t waste another day in discomfort.  At Advanced Foot Care Centers, we can set you on the path to resolving your foot issues.  Dr. Ira Kraus has been practicing podiatric medicine for 20 years and has locations in Chattanooga.   Make an appointment today to get on the road to recovery from your foot discomfort.  Everyone has foot pain at some point, even celebrities.

Most widely known for her role as Paige Matthews on the TV show Charmed that aired from 2001 – 2006, Rose McGowen is an actress who recently experienced some foot discomfort.  She recently tweeted, “Broke my toe today. My boyfriend dropped me.”  This comes after McGowen was hospitalized earlier this year for a ruptured ear drum.  Needless to say, she has had a rough go of it so far in 2013.  The boyfriend she refers to is popular DJ, Davey Detail.

Broken toes are very common.  They usually occur in the middle of night when someone gets up to go to the bathroom.  They attempt to get to the bathroom in the dark in order to not wake up their significant other.  This usually is ok on the way in, but once they have turned the lights off in the bathroom, their eyes are no longer adjusted to the dark.  The bedpost has been the cause of many broken toes over the years.

Thankfully, most toe fractures are not displaced, or if they are, they can be reset into proper alignment with traction.  Surgery may be needed only when the fracture cannot be reduced.  Just keep an eye out for those sneaky bedposts and you should be fine.  If not, we are here to take care of you.

By Dr. Aaron Solomon

In recent years, there has been an explosion of reality TV shows.  Almost every national TV network has developed their own version of a singing talent show.  FOX’s version of this show is called “The X-factor.”  The show features celebrity judges, mostly singers or song writers, who analyze the contestants and eventually crown a winner who is awarded some type of record deal.

Demi Lovato has been a judge on the show since 2012.  She is most known for her music, most recently for her hit single, “Give Your Heart Break.”  But even celebrities are human and experience injuries and setbacks.  Although the details are not very specific, Lovato tweeted out that she had injured her right foot at her home last month.  Apparently, her floors had just been cleaned and had not completely dried when she slipped and broke her fibula, or the bone that helps form the outside of the ankle.  This is very skinny bone that is important for the stability of the ankle.

Ankle fractures are very common.  Depending on the severity of the fracture, it can be managed with conservative measures, such as a cast, or may require surgery to re-align the fracture fragments.  Dr Cheryl Haag is one of our podiatrists at Advanced Foot Care Centers with 30 years of experience treating foot and ankle pain and problems.  Make an appointment to see her at one of our Chattanooga locations.

Lovato was smart in dealing with her injury.  She immediately sought care, and according to all indications, her injury did not require surgery.  She is currently wearing a boot and using crutches to get around.  In seeking immediate care, Lovato has insured that her fracture will heal and that her pain will resolve with time.  Don’t delay care with ankle injuries.  Your ankle will thank you.

By Dr Ira Kraus

If you live in Northern Georgia or the greater Chattanooga area and are experiencing foot pain, come see us at Advanced Foot Care Centers.  We have locations from Hixson, TN to Dalton, GA, as well as several locations in Chattanooga.  Dr. Aaron Solomon works at both our Chattanooga and Fort Oglethorpe locations and will be able to help resolve some of the foot pain you are dealing with.  As spring gets closer and you spend more time outside, make sure your feet are in great shape and ready for this summer.

With spring drawing closer, baseball players are starting to report to both Florida and Arizona to start working out for the approaching baseball season.  Baseball fans love this time of the year because optimism is at its highest.  We all hope that “this is the year” for our team to rise above and bring home the World Series.  Despite their offseason training, inevitably players come down with foot pain and ingrown toenails.  But this year, Derek Jeter is well rested.

At the end of last year, Jeter broke his ankle that caused him to miss the rest of the season and get ankle surgery.  Derek Jeter plays for the historic New York Yankees, and is slowly coming to the close of an incredible career that has him with five World Series rings, and the all-time leader in hits of a franchise whose history includes players like Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, and Mickey Mantle.  Due to his ankle surgery, Jeter has been laid up, forced to sit on his couch as his ankle heals.

Jeter looks to rebound from his ankle fracture and continue his historic career.  Ankle pain can come to anyone.  Many times, this pain can be managed with conservative measures.  In some cases, surgery may be pursued for more definitive relief.  Come see us at Advanced Foot Care Centers so you and your feet are ready to take on summer.

By  Dr. Ira Kraus