Monday, November 28, 2016

Sprains and Strains

Sprains and Strains
While working out and you experience pain, you might be wondering what type of injury you just had. Soft tissue injuries are most common when you are exercising or performing sports, however, even daily activities can lead to an injury. Strains and sprains are two types of soft tissue injuries that are very common, and that we treat here at Loop Podiatry Foot & Ankle Center in Chicago, IL and Skokie, IL. But, what is the difference between the two?

Sprains
Tearing a ligament in your ankle is known as a sprain. This tends to happen on the outside (lateral) part of your ankle. It's a common injury that happens most during various activities. It does happen in an ankle fracture setting; however, typically it happens in isolation.

Strains
When you tear or stretch your musculotendinous structure (muscle and tendon), it is known as a strain. Strains happen most when you suddenly contract and stretch a muscle in activities like jumping or running. In fact, it is runners who tend to incur this type of injury the most when they strain their hamstrings.

Symptoms and Signs of Sprains/Strains
Common signs and symptoms of sprains/strains include:
  • Swelling
  • Pain
  • Bruising
  • Limited affected joint movement
  • Muscles Spasms (strains)
  • Hearing or feeling a 'pop' in your joint when the injury occurs (sprain)
When you are dealing with pain or other issues with your feet, it can affect your entire well-being making it hard to be productive and manage your daily tasks. Dr. Rager is committed to your good health.

If you feel you might have incurred a sprain or strain, give either our Loop Podiatry Foot & Ankle Center in Chicago, IL a call at (312) 236-9355 or our Oakton Park Medical Center in Skokie, IL a call at (847) 982-9988 to set up an appointment with Dr. Jeff Rager, DPM. 


Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Cosmetic Bunion Surgery

Bunions can be both painful and unattractive for individuals that suffer from them. A bunion is an abnormal growth of the bone at the base of the big toe. The reasons that bunions appear could be genetic, due to arthritis conditions or the result of weak bones and joints. Taking action to correct these bunions in some way is a choice many people make. Cosmetic bunion surgery can help to remove the appearance of bunions on the feet. Jeff Rager, DPm at Loop Podiatry Foot & Ankle Center in Chicago, Illinois is equipped to help you with your bunions.

The Visit for Cosmetic Bunion Surgery
When you first visit the doctor about your bunions he will want to look at your feet and will likely want to get an x-ray to help paint a more detailed picture of the circumstances. You will then talk to him about the options that you have including simply using specialized shoes to provide comfort and cosmetic bunion surgery. The surgery option can often be accomplished without leaving any scars. The surgery will be different for every individual, but is essentially the removal of the bump that exists. Following the directions of the doctor will greatly improve the recovery process.

If you have decided that you don’t like the look of your bunions you can certainly turn to cosmetic bunion surgery for an answer. The professionals in our office are ready to help you look over the options and answer any questions you might have. We look forward to getting you the results you want. Call us today at 312-236-9355 to schedule a consultation.