Three-time National League MVP Albert Pujols recently underwent surgery to treat chronic plantar fasciitis. The Los Angeles Angels slugger was bothered repeatedly during the regular season with the painful foot condition that occurs when the ligament connecting the heel to the toes, known as the plantar fascia, becomes inflamed. Although conservative treatment is successful most of the time, surgical treatment is occasionally required.
The painful foot condition that affected Pujols is one of the most common problems treated in the office of Dr. Roger Friedman and Dr. Kimberly Nichelson located at 5321 Meadow Lane Court in Elyria, Ohio. Plantar fasciitis often presents itself as a sharp pain on the bottom of the heel that is worse when getting up out of bed in the morning or for the first few steps when getting up after sitting. Conservative care with stretching, ice, anti-inflammatory medications and orthotics (custom arch supports) is usually successful at treating plantar fasciitis, but surgery becomes an option if the condition lasts for more than 6 months.
Dr. Roger Friedman, a board certified foot surgeon, was the first physician in northeast Ohio to use the non-surgical Extra Corporeal Shockwave Treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis. This innovative procedure utilizes high energy sound waves similar to those used to break-up kidney stones. The treatment requires no incision and allows for a relatively quick recovery.
The painful foot condition that affected Pujols is one of the most common problems treated in the office of Dr. Roger Friedman and Dr. Kimberly Nichelson located at 5321 Meadow Lane Court in Elyria, Ohio. Plantar fasciitis often presents itself as a sharp pain on the bottom of the heel that is worse when getting up out of bed in the morning or for the first few steps when getting up after sitting. Conservative care with stretching, ice, anti-inflammatory medications and orthotics (custom arch supports) is usually successful at treating plantar fasciitis, but surgery becomes an option if the condition lasts for more than 6 months.
Dr. Roger Friedman, a board certified foot surgeon, was the first physician in northeast Ohio to use the non-surgical Extra Corporeal Shockwave Treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis. This innovative procedure utilizes high energy sound waves similar to those used to break-up kidney stones. The treatment requires no incision and allows for a relatively quick recovery.
About the surgery on Pujols, Dr. Friedman commented, "I hope the physicians treating Albert attempted the non-invasive Shockwave Treatment before progressing to the more invasive surgical procedure, and I hope they performed the surgery endoscopically.
The endoscopic plantar fasciotomy Dr. Friedman mentions is less invasive than the traditional open surgery and also lends itself to a quicker recovery. Dr. Kimberly Nichelson, a podiatric physician and surgeon who works with Dr. Friedman, performs the endoscopic plantar fasciotomy and finds that it allows her patients to return to regular activities quickly and with less post-operative pain than traditional surgery. "I am always pleased to hear from my patients that they have very little to no pain post-operatively", said Dr. Nichelson. "Some of my patients are able to return to their regular shoes within one to two weeks following the procedure and tell me that they had very little discomfort during the recovery".
As for the 37 year-old Pujols, it is too early to tell if he will be able to return to his outstanding form of last season where he was batting .268 with 31 homers and 119 RBI's the fourth most in the majors.
If you would like more information about the treatment of plantar fasciitis and heel pain please contact Dr. Roger Friedman and Dr. Kimberly Nichelson at Advanced Foot Care and Laser Center by calling 440-934-8444.
The endoscopic plantar fasciotomy Dr. Friedman mentions is less invasive than the traditional open surgery and also lends itself to a quicker recovery. Dr. Kimberly Nichelson, a podiatric physician and surgeon who works with Dr. Friedman, performs the endoscopic plantar fasciotomy and finds that it allows her patients to return to regular activities quickly and with less post-operative pain than traditional surgery. "I am always pleased to hear from my patients that they have very little to no pain post-operatively", said Dr. Nichelson. "Some of my patients are able to return to their regular shoes within one to two weeks following the procedure and tell me that they had very little discomfort during the recovery".
As for the 37 year-old Pujols, it is too early to tell if he will be able to return to his outstanding form of last season where he was batting .268 with 31 homers and 119 RBI's the fourth most in the majors.
If you would like more information about the treatment of plantar fasciitis and heel pain please contact Dr. Roger Friedman and Dr. Kimberly Nichelson at Advanced Foot Care and Laser Center by calling 440-934-8444.
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