Yao Ming Retires due to foot injuries
Subungual Hematoma
Subungual Hematoma – this is a collection or pooling of blood underneath the nail plate. This is usually associated with blunt trauma such as dropping an object directly onto the toe. As more and more blood collects underneath the nail plate, pressure increases. This increase in pressure is very painful unless the blood is drained.
It is noted that if more than 25% of the nail plate has blood underneath it, the toenail should be removed to examine the nail bed or the skin underneath the nail. If more than 25% of the nail bed has blood underneath it, it is highly likely that the nail bed is lacerated or cut. This must be examined, because if the nail bed is lacerated, it is considered an open fracture and the nail bed must be appropriately cleaned, disinfected, and sutured.
If the hematoma is less than 25% of nail plate involvement, the blood can then be drained and the nail plate left intact. This is performed in our office with either a hand-held cautery tool or a sharp blade to bore a hole into the nail plate and allow the blood to escape.
If you develop a subungual hematoma, please seek assistance from our physicians. Call 972-542-2155 for an appointment today.
Dr. Eric Silvers is a highly-trained foot and ankle surgeon specializing in the treatment and resolution of toenail pathologies.
He has offices located in McKinney, TX & Prosper, TX.
Please call 972-542-2155 to schedule an appointment today
Infracalcaneal Exostosis
An infracalcaneal exostosis is term that describe a large bony prominence or spur on the bottom of the heel bone or calcaneus. In some patients, this bone spur can actually be large enough to to be felt on the bottom of the heel.
The bone spur is caused by traction or pulling on the heel bone or calcaneus by tiny muscles on the bottom of the foot. Many people correlate “heel spurs” with plantar fasciitis. This is a false statement. The plantar fascia in actuality, inserts just lateral to the plantar heel spur. It is the small musculature that causes formation of the bone spur. The reason why the muscles do this is secondary to abnormal and uncontrolled foot mechanics.
Most patients have 1 – 1.5 inches of fat pad on the bottom of the heel that aids in cushioning and shock absorption for the calcaneus. In older patients who have experienced atrophy or thinning of the fat pad, the bone spur can be prominent and very painful.
Treatment includes cushioning of the infracalcaneal exostosis, wearing appropriate shoe gear to soften the impact of the heel with walking or running. Although not available in our office, some plastic surgeons and aestheticians are offering collagen injection therapy to the plantar aspect of the heel to aid in cushioning. It must be known that this is only a temporary solution and often requires multiple periodic injections.
For those patient who cannot find relief cushioning, padding or shoe therapy, surgery is a viable option. Surgery involves removing the plantar heel spur or infracalcaneal exostosis and making the bottom surface of the heel bone flat and smooth. A extended period of non-weightbearing is suggested due to possible risk of stress fracture with early walking following the surgery.
If you have a prominent heel spur on the bottom of the heel, please visit our office for a clinical evaluation. Call 972-542-2155 for an appointment today.
Traumatic Heel Pain
If you have had trauma to the heel, please click on the following link to read more:
Traumatic Heel Pain
Neurologic Heel Pain
Please click the following link to read about the various causes of heel pain caused by nerve disorders.
Neurologic Heel Pain
Mechanical Heel Pain
Please click the following link to learn about the various types of mechanical heel pain:
