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WatermanWellness | Spring 2016

3

immobilization

is unsuccessful,

then an MRI is

ordered. In most

cases, results will

show a tendon tear

or dysfunction,

identifying the

reason for the

patient’s pain.”

Proper steps

There are steps you can take to take care of

your feet. “If you are flat-footed or if you

have a high arch, you will need to support

the arches in your feet with the proper

shoes, especially if you are very active,” says

Dr. Balkaran.

To help protect your feet and ankles

while engaging in physical activity, she

recommends that you identify your arch

type, then determine your activity. “One

shoe will not work for everything,” she

says. “Make sure the arch is supported

Your

feet are an important part of your

overall health. But they are usually taken

for granted...until they begin to hurt.

Ella Finlayson, of Eustis, led a very

active life. Her favorite places to be were

the golf course and tennis court. Then

an injury to her ankle caused pain and

disability that progressively worsened.

She experienced trouble walking, and

standing was painful. After working with a

physical therapist, with no relief, and then

following the advice of her husband, who

is a physician, she knew she needed to see

a specialist.

The right diagnosis

She scheduled an appointment with Joanne

N. Balkaran, DPM, who diagnosed her

with a ruptured tibial tendon, which was

confirmed with an MRI. Dr. Balkaran

began with a conservative approach of

rest, ice, compression and elevation. When

an ankle/foot orthosis, which is used to

keep the foot and ankle immobilized,

didn’t help, Dr. Balkaran scheduled her for

surgery.

“Unless you isolate the motion of the

tendon, it can often be misdiagnosed as a

fracture,” says Dr. Balkaran. “If strength

testing of the tendon reveals pain and

Walking

pain-free

DON'T LET PAIN SLOW YOU DOWN

Podiatrists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of foot, ankle and leg

problems. Visit

FHWaterman.com

to find a physician who can help.

Joanne N. Balkaran,

DPM

with proper insoles or inserts. Your foot

should fit comfortably without constraint.

Watch the wear on your shoes over time. If

they begin to show wear on the soles, they

should be replaced, especially every 400 to

600 miles. And stretch your feet.”

Keeping her eye on the ball

After an outpatient surgery to repair the

tendon and six weeks of non-weight-bearing

rest, Finlayson was able to get back on her

feet and back to her life.

“My ultimate goal was being able to

dance at my daughter Allison’s wedding,

and I did,” Finlayson says. She and her

husband recently celebrated their 35th

wedding anniversary on an

action-filled cruise. She is now

back to doing what she loves

on the golf course again,

even running in small

spurts, and hopes to

be back to playing

tennis soon.

HEALTHY FEET

Ella Finlayson, of Eustis, is happy to be

back on the golf course, pain-free.