Well it’s that time of year again - the second bookend of summer signifying the end of the warm days, easy nights, and rest and relaxation. The days are getting shorter and it’s time to get the kids back to school and think about getting serious about work again. Of course if you are not a student or teacher, the summer days really don’t differ much from the winter days, the weather and length of sunlight notwithstanding. And here in my NYC podiatry office, it’s a good opportunity to review some of the salient points that have been made in this blog over the past few months.
Ok, people, the weather is still pleasant, and with all this global warming business, it is arguably more pleasant to be outside in the fall than in the summer. Let’s try to take advantage of the nice weather and sunny days while they are still here. And if the kids are back in school, that’s all the more reason to get out and remain active - be it running, walking, spinning, Zumba, or whatever gets your pulse racing.
Just because the days are shorter, doesn’t mean there is less time to get injured. It’s important to continue to warm up or stretch before running. Remember that almost every patient that walks or limps into my NYC podiatry office has a tight Achilles tendon, and stretching that tendon out can prevent or treat such conditions as plantar fasciitis (heel pain), tendonitis and shin splints, to name a few. And if you do happen to sustain what feels like an ankle sprain, or have swelling in the foot that won’t go away, and may be indicative of a stress fracture, be sure to make an appointment right away with your NYC foot doctor to initiate treatment early.
This is also the time of year that I expect a bump in patient calls. These are the lagging, nagging injuries (or the lagging nagging spouse who just won’t be satisfied until that limp is investigated). Yes, most injuries will heal, and most pain goes away, but one never knows if this injury is the exceptional one- the lagger, or worse, the chronic debilitating fracture, sprain, or tear. Many of these calls are injuries that occurred in the early part of the summer, and after a season of waiting and hoping, and occasional ibuprofen and limping, it’s time to call the NYC podiatrist to check it out. It’s OK, there’s no judgment in my office, and yes, even the old injuries are usually treatable.
See you in the office.
Dr. Ernest L. Isaacson
