There is never a shortage of celebrity injuries on ABC's Dancing With the Stars.  This season, TV host Maria Menounos, is pushing through each routine despite suffering from a stress fracture in her foot.

Against medical advise, she continues to compete.  To prevent her condition from progressing, and developing into a true fracture, Maria has been immobilized in a removable cast boot and has been using a bone stimulator.

Bone typically takes 6-8 weeks to heal.  It is important for patients to remain non-weight bearing during this time to prevent the fracture pieces from shifting.  This can lead to delayed healing or healing of the bones in a less than ideal position.

If you or someone you know is suffering from foot swelling, pain and difficulty walking, it is important to be evaluated by a foot and ankle specialist.  Many patients walk around with undiagnosed stress fractures.

Please call 856-691-2152 to make a preferred appointment.

Tags: Maria Menounos, Stress Fracture, Dancing with the Stars

Iraq War veteran J.R. Martinez is nursing his right ankle after sustaining a twisting injury during rehearsal on Saturday.  His Dancing with the Stars partner, Karina Smirnoff, stated that the injury took a toll on their subsequent rehearsals.

J.R., the frontrunner in the competition, struggled through his first dance, the Paso Doble, and ended up with a score of 23 out of 30.  He rebounded in the second dance, the Argentine Tango, with a score of 27 out of 30.

It is important to follow the the R.I.C.E. method after a sprain.  Rest. Ice. Compression. Elevation.

If you're still experiencing pain after implementing the R.I.C.E. method, it is important to be evaluated by a foot and ankle specialist.

Tags: R.I.C.E., Twisted Ankle, Ankle Injury, J.R. Martinez, Dancing with the Stars

Since staring on ABC's Dancing with the Stars, Chaz Bono has been dealing with ankle and knee pain.   Most of the "stars" competing have little to no dance experience.  Dancing places unusual stress on the body, especially your feet.  Instability at the foot leads to ankle, knee, hip and back pain.  Cher had her own personal podiatrist evaluate and treat her son Chaz.

Common foot problems associated with dancing include hallux limitus (limited range of motion/jamming of the great to joint),metatarsalgia (inflammation of the ball of the foot), plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the band on the bottom of the foot that supports the arch), and stress fracture (hair-line bone break caused by repetitive micro trauma).

If you are suffering from foot or ankle pain related to dancing, don't delay in having this evaluated.  Pain is not normal, and more often than not, will not "go away on it's own."  Dancing on an injured foot and lead to further pain and damage. 

A trained foot and ankle specialist will review x ray findings, perform cortisone injection if necessary to reduce pain, review stretching, shoes and the benefits of arch supports. 

 

Tags: Ankle Pain, Knee Pain, Foot Pain, Dancing with the Stars, Chaz Bono