Myths About Rheumatoid Arthritis

Myth: All arthritis is the same.

Fact: Rheumatoid arthritis is very different from osteoarthritis, the most common form of the disease. Most people will develop some form of arthritis in their lifetime because of the wear and tear associated with daily life, but only 1% of adult Americans will develop rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis affects your joints, while RA affects your heart, lungs, joints, eyes, and blood vessels.

Myth: RA is for the elderly.

Fact: RA starts in middle age, with the average age to be diagnosed in the early fifties. One-third of people are diagnosed with RA after 60, but people in their teens, twenties, and even children can develop RA. Women are three times more likely to be diagnosed than men, and they are between the ages of 30 and 60.

Myth: RA runs in families.

Fact: The genes for RA are passed down in families, but that doesn't mean you are going to get the condition. It appears that having the genes and events in your life trigger the genes to become active. Some scientists believe that certain viruses cause RA, but there is no definitive research to back up this claim.

Myth: You caused RA.

Fact: There is nothing you did to cause RA and nothing you could have done to stop it. RA is an autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to attack your joints. 

Myth: If you look fine, you mustn't be in any pain. 

Fact: The fatigue from RA can be worse than the pain from RA. The fatigue isn't just being tired- it's your whole body feeling sore and exhausted. 

Myth: Exercising is a bad idea.

Fact: A way of relieving the symptoms of RA is to exercise regularly, which will ease pain and stiffness, improve motion and flexibility, and boost your energy level. When your joints are actively swollen, you should rest, but when they are not, exercise freely. 

Myth: You can't avoid disability. 

Fact: Doctors now know that treating RA early and aggressively is the best way to prevent disability. There are also new medications called biologic agents which change the way your immune system functions. 

Myth: There's not much you can do about RA.

Fact: Learn as much as you can about RA and work with your doctors and their treatment plans. Eat a heart-healthy diet, don't smoke, exercise, and stay at a healthy weight. Having RA can be stressful, so have ways to deal with the anger, confusion, and emotional pain of this disease.

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Bobcats' Mullens Out With Serious Ankle Sprain

The Charlotte Bobcats can't seem to catch a break. 

Not only are they recovering from a 15 game losing streak, they lost big man Byron Mullens when he got his feet tangled with other players' and went down hard. An X-ray was negative for a fracture, but Mullens appears to have a severe ankle sprain. He was carried off the court by teammates, in great pain, and was not available for comment after the game. Mullens returned to the locker room on crutches, his ankle very heavily wrapped.
Mullens has started 25 of the Bobcats' 26 games this season. He is the team's leading rebounder at 7.6 per game and is fifth in scoring at 11.5 points per game. 
The Bobcats are already missing starting shooting guard Gerald Henderson with a shin contusion and reserve scorer Ben Gordon with a sore knee. 
The Bobcats haven't projected how long Mullens will be out, but you can bet it he won't be returning any time soon. He can't put any weight on the joint. Possible replacements include Bismack Biyombo, Brendan Haywood, Jeff Adrien, and Hakim Warrick. 
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Packers' Cobb To Test Ankle Today

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. He will test his ankle today to see if he will be ready for Sunday's regular season final game.
Cobb is their top receiver and primary return man and injured his ankle while returning a punt in the third quarter of the Packers' 55-7 win over Tennessee. He limped over to the sidelines after the play and didn't return to the game.
At the time coach Mike McCarthy said, "I hope it's not serious. The training staff on the field did not give me anything to believe that it was very serious, but as you know with ankle sprains and joint injuries, the next day is a huge indicator."
Cobb set a team record during the Tennessee game for total net yards (receiving, rushing, and returns) of 2,342, topping former running back Ahman Green's previous record of 2,250 yards in 2003.
McCarthy has given no indication whether he'll have Cobb continue as the kickoff and punt returner when he comes back from his injury. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers suggested that Cobb be taken off those duties to diminish the risk of injury.
"He's a big time player. He's fun to watch. Just trying to get him the ball in space. He makes some big plays. He's got incredible preparation habits. He's always ready to play, knows where he's supposed to be. He's like a seven- or eight-year veteran out there, it feels like at times. I feel like we've played together for a while. He understands the concepts we're running, where to get open. He's a big time player. Hope we can get him off special teams soon," Rodger said.
Cobb's breakout season has made him an essential part of what the team has done well on offense this season. Cobb is also dealing with a knee injury, which makes it a greater likelihood that the team will hold him back till the playoffs. The team's decision will be a little easier if Jordy Nelson plays this week, after missing three weeks with a hamstring injury. Nelson practiced in full on Wednesday and McCarthy said he looked good.
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Shoes For Baby Boomer Feet

Remember the days when you could walk out of the house, strutting your stuff, in pointy toe shoes or sky high stilettos? Now you're looking at shoe options that remind you of something your grandmother would have worn. Are these really the only options you have for footwear?
Just because your feet have aged doesn't mean that you stopped loving shoes. Baby boomers are getting to the point in their lives where they can't stand the pain some types of shoes bring, but still want some bling and pizzazz on their lower extremities. Kenneth Cole recently told Elle magazine "When a woman puts on a pair of shoes in the morning, she is making a commitment that's going to last all day."
Therefore, there is a huge opportunity for shoe designers and makers to create shoes that are not only comfortable but pretty as well for the Baby Boomer. The ideal shoe for the aging foot has a wide toe box and a narrow heel. But have you seen that type of shoe on the market? Most of them are ugly. 

When we purchase shoes that are too tight in the toes but fit the heel, we squish our toes and create foot deformities. On the other hand, if we purchase shoes that fit the toes but are too big in the heel, they slide off our feet and set us up to trip and fall. Meryl Streep lost her Jimmy Choo heel as she climbed the stairs at the British Academy of Film and Television to receive her award. New York City police are even investigating the death of a young woman who died after falling down a flight of stairs in very high heels. 
At every price point you can find shoes that are comfortable and affordable. Wedges, platforms, and low chunky heels give you the height of a stiletto without the pain. Taryn Rose, a shoe label created by a podiatrist turned designer has high-end, comfortable high fashion shoes. Ferragamo has also ventured into comfortable shoes, but neither company has that as a selling point. Both companies gave less than satisfactory responses when asked about their plans to design shoes with more comfort in mind. Taryn Rose did not respond and Trisha Gregory, director of public relations for Salvatore Ferragamo said "If the nature of your piece is based on comfort and shoes for professionals in the baby boomer sector, we must decline."
Remember when going shoe shopping, go in the late afternoon or evening, as your feet have swollen throughout the day, sometimes up to a half size. Fit your shoes to the larger foot of the two. 
And remember too- just because you're in your "golden days" doesn't mean your shoe selection has to be golden too. If you are a baby boomer experiencing a foot problem, call one of our six locations to make an appointment.
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A Lump on My Foot: Ganglion Cyst

A ganglion cyst is a sac filled with a jellylike fluid that originates from a tendon sheath or joint capsule. The word ganglion means knot and is used to describe the knot-like mass or lump that forms below the surface of the skin.
Ganglion cysts are among the most common benign soft-tissue masses. Although they most often occur on the wrist, they also frequently develop on the foot- usually on the top, but elsewhere as well. Ganglion cysts vary in size, may get smaller and larger, and may even disappear completely, only to return later.
Although the exact cause of ganglion cysts is unknown, they may arise from trauma- whether a single event or repetitive micro-trauma.
A ganglion cyst is associated with one or more of the following symptoms:

• A noticeable lump- often this is the only symptom experienced. 
• Tingling or burning, if the cyst is touching a nerve.
• Dull pain or arch- which may indicate the cyst is pressing against a tendon or joint. 
• Difficulty wearing shoes due to irritation between the lump and shoe.

To diagnose a ganglion cyst, the foot and ankle surgeon will perform a thorough examination of the foot. The lump will be visually apparent and, when pressed in a certain way, it should move freely underneath the skin. Sometimes the surgeon will shine a light through the cyst or remove a small amount of fluid from the cyst for evaluation. Your doctor may take an x-ray, and in some cases additional imaging studies may be ordered.
There are various options for treating a ganglion cyst on the foot:

• Monitoring, but no treatment. If the cyst causes no pain and does not interfere with walking, the surgeon may decide it is best to carefully watch the cyst over a period of time.
• Shoe modification. Wear shoes that do not rub the cyst or cause irritation may be advised. In addition, placing a pad inside the shoe may help reduce pressure against the cyst.
• Aspiration and injection. This technique involves draining the fluid and then injecting a steroid medication into the mass. More than one session may be needed. Although this approach is successful in some cases, in many others the cyst returns.

When other treatment options fail or are not appropriate, the cyst may need to be surgically removed. While the recurrence rate associated with surgery is much lower than that experienced with aspiration and injection therapy, there are nevertheless cases in which the ganglion cyst returns.
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TCU's Ray Out 6-8 Weeks With Foot Injury

TCU guard Jarvis Ray injured his foot Tuesday night against Southern and will be out six to eight weeks.
Ray injured his foot when he came down from a jump shot and landed on the foot of a defender late in the Horned Frogs win over Southern at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum.
He's the third Frogs' player to have a major injury this season and to miss significant time. Forward Amric Fields is out for the season after a knee injury in the third game of the season. Freshman center Aaron Durley injured a knee before the season began and has been sidelined since.
The junior guard limped off the court and was helped to the training room. The injury occurred in the final minutes of the 68-57 win.
"I just feel bad for the kid. I know what Jarvis has been through. He was playing well and has his grades right," said TCU coach Trent Johnson.
Ray missed the last two months of last season because of academic reasons. He did not start on Tuesday, but had started the previous nine games, averaging 6.2 points per game.
If he returns during the expected time frame, he would be available for TCU's final six regular season games and the Big 12 tournament on March 13 in Kansas City. Johnson has a tight roster, with just 11 available players. Transfer Christian Gore will not be available until January 14th, due to NCAA rules.
"Everybody has got more to do. You've got to stay positive. We have to get through Christmas and the kids will get four days off," said Johnson.
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Winter Hard on Feet

Whether you live in a cold weather climate or you're just vacationing in one, the winter season can be beautiful but also very dangerous, with snowy, icy walkways. Using caution when outside or travelling to wintery areas can help prevent ankle sprains and fractures from ruining your plans for enjoying the winter months.

Wear the right shoes for the weather.
High-heeled boots may be fashionable but not very practical on slippery surfaces. Shoes or boots with a low heel and traction soles provide a more secure footing. If you need to wear high-heeled shoes, change into them when you arrive at your destination.
Check for slippery areas.
Watch your step when exiting your car or walking out of a building. Take notice of any potentially icy areas. Keep your hands free to support and help provide balance in case you begin to fall.
Keep areas near doorways well-lit and clear of ice and snow. 
Areas around your house, especially stairs and sidewalks, should be well-lit so that you and your guests can better detect icy areas.
Don't ignore an injured foot or ankle.
If you do suffer an injury, don't delay in calling our office for prompt evaluation and treatment. In the meantime, the R.I.C.E. method should be followed.
Delaying treatment can result in long-term complications such as chronic ankle instability and pain, arthritis, or deformity. Remember, even if you are able to walk on the injured foot you may still have a serious injury.
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Alabama's Barrett Jones Talks About Foot Injury

Senior center Barrett Jones rode a stationary bike in Alabama's first postseason practice of the year. His left foot is in a cast, and he'll probably be held out of practices until December 26th. Doctors will reevaluate him when he returns from Christmas break on December 27th.
When Jones met with reporters after practice on Tuesday on crutches, he didn't even wait for a question.
"All right. Sprained foot. Gonna be fine. Can't wait to play. That's that," Jones said.
"My foot is sprained. I'll be playing in the game. I'll be fine. I'll have this cast on I don't know how much longer, but not much longer. I'll be alright. That's all we're talking about the foot," Jones said.
Jones injured his foot during the first quarter of the Tide's 32-28 victory over George on December 1 in the SEC Championship game. He played through the injury, leaving for the locker room for just one play during the second quarter.
"I knew my teammates needed me. It never crossed my mind to come out," Jones said.
Jones has just a couple more weeks to recover from the foot sprain before Alabama's BCS Championship with No. 1 Notre Dame on January 7th. Coach Nick Saban hopes that Jones will be ready for the game. "He should be ok by then, but these things you've got to take day to day," Saban said.
'Everything Jones is doing is precautionary," Saban added.
Jones won the Rimington Award for the nation's top center, and has helped Alabama keep a balanced offense. He already has two national championship rings.
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Tennis Ace Casey Dellacqua Has Tear in Foot

Australian tennis champ Casey Dellacqua will miss the Hopman Cup with a foot injury that threatens her plan to rebuild her career this summer.
Dellacqua was to join Bernard Tomic as the home combination in the mixed teams event in Perth, which would feature No. 1 Novak Djokovic and five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams on December 29th.

She was on the verge of returning to the top 100 after missing close to two seasons with feet and shoulder problems when she felt pain in her foot at a recent event in Osaka, where she was a quarter-finalist in the singles and claimed the doubles title with rising star Ashleigh Barty. 

She suffered a peroneal brevis tear during the tournament and says, "I'm so disappointed to withdraw from Hopman Cup due to a foot injury sustained in Osaka. It's a peroneal brevis tear and, although it's getting better every day, it's not going to be ready in time for Perth and I can't rush my return to competition."
Fellow Perth resident Bojana Bobusic suffered a similar problem for much of this year and won the wildcard playoff for entry into next month's Australian Open.
"I really hope I can try and play in Hobart if I'm ready and if I get a wildcard. I always love playing at the Hopman Cup. The people of Perth always get behind me and it's a great feeling to have so much support. I was also really looking forward to being part of history and playing at the new Perth Arena. Hopefully I have the chance to come back next year," Dellacqua said.
A replacement for Dellacqua has not been announced. Event director Steve Ayles said, "We are so disappointed for Casey that she's had to withdraw from the Hyundai Hopman Cup and wish her all the very best for a speedy recovery. I know how much playing this event means to her and how much she loves playing in front of her home crowd in Perth. Casey is concentrating hard on her rehab and is looking forward to playing again very soon. I'm sure everyone will join the Hopman Cup team in wishing her all the best for her Australian Open preparation."
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Knicks' Anthony Sidelined With Ankle Injury

New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony missed Monday night's showdown game against the Houston Rockets and Jeremy Lin because of lingering pain in his left ankle.
A source close to Anthony said he really wanted to play in Monday night's game, since the Rockets beat the Knicks by 28 points in late November. Lin had a memorable run with the Knicks in February and is now on his way to basketball super stardom. Raymond Felton supported the source, saying there was "no question" Anthony wanted to play Monday, but it wasn't just because the Rockets were in town.
"I know he wants to be out there, he's just like me. He never wants to sit out a game," Felton said.
Anthony injured his ankle Thursday in the third quarter of the Knicks' 116-107 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. He scored 30 points before being fouled by Dwight Howard. Anthony hit the floor hard, landing awkwardly on his left ankle, with his lower left leg folded underneath his back.
"He went down kind of hard," said coach Mike Woodson. "You never know until you get to him. He tried to run it off, but he couldn't do it."
After the game Anthony said, "It was a hard foul. I couldn't catch my fall. It was an awkward fall. Right now, I'm sore."
"I was definitely concerned, but it's good to see him walk out on his own," said Felton after seeing Anthony walk out of the locker room Thursday without crutches. "He is a little sore, and he was limping, but it's not that bad."
Anthony was treated Friday at the team's training facility in Greensburgh, NY. This is the second injury for the Knicks' star player this year. Earlier in the month he missed two games because of a deep cut on his left middle finger, sustained after diving for a loose ball in a road victory over the Charlotte Bobcats. Anthony has yet to have an X-ray or MRI to determine the extent of his current injury.
Anthony has never had an injury that required surgery, but has missed games throughout his career. In the 2008-09 season he missed three weeks with a broken bone in his right hand. Last season he sat out eight games with Linsanity, a groin injury.
The team is 2-1 without Anthony, but the team is confident they can win games without him. After Thursday's game, Jason Kidd told reporters, "The team is deep enough to win games. We've already proven that."
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The Way You Walk A Sign of Alzheimer's?

Subtle changes in the way you walk can be an early warning sign of cognitive decline and a signal for advanced testing, researchers reported at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Vancouver, Canada.
The findings are the first to link a physical symptom to the disease, which up until now required doctors to begin a diagnosis by focusing on cognition and administering lengthy neurological exams. The evidence in the five studies is robust, experts say. They note walking changes can occur even before cognition decline surfaces.
The presentation on the opening day of a week of meetings follows a plan the US government announced in May to help train doctors in earlier detection and to find a cure by 2025.
"Monitoring deterioration and other changes in a person's gait is ideal because it doesn't require any expensive technology or take a lot of time to assess," says Bill Thies, chief medical and scientific officer for the Alzheimer's Association.
The disease afflicts 5.4 million in the United States, and the number is forecast to spike to 16 million in 2050 as the Baby Boomers age.
"Walking and movements require a perfect and simultaneous integration of multiple areas of the brain," says Rodolfo Savica, author of a study at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Walking changes occur because the disease interferes with the circuitry between areas of the brain. Savica ruled out other diseases, such as Parkinson's and arthritis, as possible causes.
In the Mayo Clinic study, researchers measured the stride length, cadence, and velocity of more than 1,341 participants through a computerized gait instrument at two or more visits roughly 15 months apart. Those with lower cadence, velocity, and length of stride experienced significantly larger declines in global cognition, memory, and executive function.
"These changes support a possible role of gait changes as an early predictor of cognitive impairment," Savica says.
Another large study of 1,153 adults with a mean age of 78, by researchers at the Basel Mobility in Basel, Switzerland, found that gait became "slower and more variable as cognition decline progressed."
Participants were divided into groups based on cognitive diagnoses: cognitively healthy, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or Alzheimer's dementia. Gait was measured using a walkway with 30,000 integrated sensors. Those with Alzheimer's walked slower than those with MCI, who walked slower than those who were cognitively healthy.
One annual test might not work on everyone, though. "You'd be surprised how many people say to me 'He doesn't walk that well at home' when I give them a gait test in the office," physician Lisa Silbert says.
Silbert conducted research on 19 dementia-free volunteers at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. They measured gait speed during MRIs and gait speeds at home. Participants walked faster in the lab than they did at home. Slow in-home walking speed was associated with smaller total brain size. Dementias cause brain shrinkage.
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Do Our Feet Talk?

Eye contact and body language have long been associated with tell-tale signs of cheating, nervousness, sexual attraction, and lying.
But Professor Geoffrey Beattie, Head of School and Dean of Psychological Sciences at the University of Manchester, England, said that many people will often have no idea about the secret messages their feet are giving out.
According to the research compiled on behalf of shoemakers Jeffery West, if a woman is attracted to someone and is laughing, her foot will move away from her body and she will have an open leg posture. If her feet are crossed, or tucked under her, then she isn't attracted to you. Men, on the other hand, don't signal sexual attraction with their feet.
Liars keep their feet unnaturally still, to try and distract people away from their fibbing. Women do judge men on their shoes- how stylish, clean, expensive, and whether they match their outfit. If a man is nervous, he will increase his foot movement. Women will do the opposite and keep their feet still.
Alpha males and females have a low level of foot movement because they like to dominate and control the conversation. The same applies to their body movements. Extroverts do the same, but for different reasons, and introverts have frequent foot movement. Arrogant people keep their bodies in check and have less foot movement.
Professor Beattie, resident psychologist on the Big Brother shows said, "Whilst people might know what their facial expressions or hands might be imparting, they will have no idea whether their feet are moving or the messages their feet are sending out."
The secret language of the feet reveals a lot about our personality, what we think of the person we're talking to, and even our emotional and psychological state. "Compiling this research has been a revelation. The reason our feet may be giving us away is that they are part of the body from which we have the least internal feedback," said Dr. Beattie.
"The weird thing about feet is that most people know what they are doing with their facial expressions, they may or may not know what they are doing with their hands but unless we specifically think about it, we know nothing about what we are doing with our feet.
"People can mask smiles, or mask what they are doing with their eyes, but feet are actually a bit easier to read because people don't know what they are doing with them. I've tied together several decades of psychological research looking at the feet and what they can tell us and I've found a number of different things.
"Firstly, attraction- and how people behave when they laugh. If you are meeting someone for the first time, laughter is not necessarily a good thing. What psychologists argue with laughter is that they are ambiguous signals- some psychologists think it is a whole series of signals which determine whether the laughter is a good thing. People can be laughing at you, or with you. If a woman's feet move when she laughs, it is one of the most powerful signals that she likes you.
"With men, feet aren't so important. With men it's more head tilting. I think this study will make more people more consciously aware of what they are doing with their feet now. It's really interesting and studying people's feet movement is actually very accurate."
Jeffery West co-founder Guy West said, "Shoemaking is our life and we've both been fascinated with what your feet and footwear say. It's the first thing we notice when we meet people so we were delighted to team up with Geoffrey and uncover the science behind it."
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Senator Van de Putte Recovering From Foot Surgery

Texas State Senator Leticia Van de Putte underwent surgery on Wednesday afternoon after fracturing her foot in Washington, D.C. over the weekend.
The Senator suffered the injury when she stepped in a puddle on Saturday, spokesman Lee Nichols said. She was in D.C. for a National Conference for State Legislators and was later invited to the White House for a summit on human trafficking on Monday.
"She was not going to miss her meeting at the White House," Nichols said.
Doctors told Van de Putte that surgery was not necessary for her fracture, but that it would move the healing process along faster. The Senator requested the surgery, saying that she wanted to be ready for the legislative session, which begins January 8th.
"Senator Van de Putte plans to be in strong health and ready to aggressively pursue her agenda of protecting Texas children and public schools, helping victims of human trafficking, and standing up for our veterans, active military, and their families," her office said in a statement.
She tweeted, "It's 12/12/12 and it is 12:12 PM. Ready for foot surgery."
Her surgery was successful and the Senator is now resting at home.
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Rugby's Trengove Out Another 6 Weeks

Melbourne Demon's co-captain Jack Trengove was ready to throw himself into pre-season training, but likely won't be back until January because of an ankle problem.

The 21 year old midfielder was seeking a redemption year for himself, after a self-confessed form slump last season when the Demons won just four games, when he detected soreness in his ankle. Scans of the ankle showed the early onset of a stress fracture in his left foot.
Trengove will wear a protective boot for the next six weeks and will not travel with the team on its nine day training camp in Darwin. The team cannot say for certain whether Trengove will be ready for round one next year. It's likely he will miss the NAB Cup and practice-match fixtures.
"Not quite the news I was hoping for, that's footy sometimes. Now to come back bigger and stronger for 2013!" Trengove tweeted.
Rugby manager Josh Mahoney said last Wednesday, "We expect Jack to be able to begin his running program in January. His rehab will be continually assessed but at this stage we are hopeful he'll be available for the start of the AFL season. This is clearly a disappointing setback for Jack. The positive element to this is that the stress fracture was identified early, which will allow Jack to begin his rehab immediately."
Trengove added last Wednesday that he was shattered to miss training camp. The team hoped Trengove's pre-season would be a launching pad for the second year co-captain to improve and as a piece in Mark Neeld's puzzle to resurrect the Demons.
Trengove admitted to lacking a powerful punch in his offensive game last season, but was given high marks by teammates and coaches for defense and work ethic. He will now look to put the foot injury behind him and be physically ready to lead the team next year.
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FSU's Ian Miller Shut Down With Bone Bruise

Coach Leonard Hamilton announced that Florida State University's junior combo guard Ian Miller is sidelined with a bone bruise on his foot.
He suffered the injury immediately before the North Florida game and was seen wearing a protective boot, one he is still wearing. Hamilton has not given an anticipated return date for Miller, only that it would be seven to 10 days for it to heal.
He is the second leading scorer returning from last year, when he shot nearly 40% from the field and 35.4% from three point range. Prior to his injury, he was scoring 8.8 points and 3.5 assists per game. Since then he's slipped to 4.0 points per game and 1.3 assists per game, with a shooting percentage of 35.6% and 31.8% from the three point range.
Miller's injury will leave room for other FSU guards, like sophomore Terry Whisnant and freshman Aaron Thomas, to play. Miller's defense will be missed, along with his ball-handling. The junior may not have the instincts of a guard, but he has excellent vision and an ability to break down defenses.
This news comes at a poor time for FSU, who is currently 4-4. They will have to step up without Miller in order to extend their NCAA Tournament streak to five in March.
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Vitamin C May Help Men With Gout

New research suggests that the use of vitamin C supplements may help stave off gout in men.
A report in the Archives of Internal Medicine indicates that vitamin C intake of at least 1500 milligrams per day reduces the odds of gout by 45 percent compared to an intake of less than 250 milligrams per day.
Prior research has shown an inverse link between vitamin C and uric acid levels in the blood, but whether higher concentrations of the vitamin reduces the risk of gout was unclear, according to lead author Dr. Hyon K. Choi, from University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, and associates.
The findings come from a study of 46,994 men who were followed from 1986 to 2006 as part of the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. None of the subjects had a history of gout when the study began. Vitamin C intake was assessed with validated questionnaires every 4 years and gout was determined using the American College of Rheumatology criteria.
During follow-up, 1317 men developed gout, researchers reported.
As the researchers suspected, when levels of vitamin C rose, the risk of gout fell. For each 500 milligram increase in daily intake of vitamin C, the gout risk dropped by 17 percent.
The result of these data indicate that high vitamin C levels are strongly associated with a lower risk of gout, and dietary increases in this vitamin may prevent the development of gout, the authors concluded.
Further research, they add, is needed to determine how these findings apply to women and to investigate possible interactions with female hormones.
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Michigan's Max Bielfeldt Sidelined With Ankle Sprain

Max Bielfeldt, a redshirt freshman forward playing for Michigan, will be out at least two weeks with an ankle sprain.
The 6-foot 7 Bielfeldt suffered the sprain during practice last Monday and was wearing a protective boot on the sidelines during Michigan's 73-41 victory over the Western Michigan Broncos last Tuesday night.
"He's walking around, but I don't think he's going to practice today," coach John Beilein said. "I don't think he's going to be able to play."
"He ended up spraining his ankle with about a half hour left in practice (Monday) and it's a pretty good sprain. We don't know if he'll be able available Saturday (against) Arkansas," Beilein added.
In Bielfeldt's place 6-foot 10 sophomore John Horford has played, averaging 1.9 points and 1.9 rebounds in 8.7 minutes per game this season. Bielfeldt was averaging 1.2 points per game and 2.8 rebounds in about six minutes of play.

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Not All Tumors Are Cancerous: Osteochondromas

An osteochondroma is a benign (noncancerous) tumor that develops during childhood and adolescence. It is an abnormal growth that forms on the surface of the bone near the growth plate. The osteochondroma is an outgrowth of the growth plate and is made up of both bone and cartilage. As a child growths, the osteochondroma may grow larger, but once they have reached skeletal maturity, the osteochondroma typically stops growing as well.

Osteochondromas may grow as solitary or multiple tumors, with solitary being the most common benign tumor in the body. As a child grows, a solitary osteochondroma may develop if bone grows out from the growth plate instead of in line with it. Solitary osteochondromas are commonly found at the end of long bones where they form to meet joints. This bone outgrowth may have a stalk or stem that sticks out from the normal bone. If the tumor has a stalk, the structure is called predunculated. If the tumor outgrowth is attached to the bone with a broader base, it is called sessile.
The cause for osteochondromas is not known, occurs equally in both males and females, and is not from an injury. They may be associated with a particular gene, EXT1, but the link between the two is not well understood.
If you have an osteochondroma, you probably do not know you have the tumor. They are most commonly diagnosed in people between the ages of 10 and 30. Symptoms include:

• A painless bump near the joints.
• Pain with activity. An osteochondroma may be located under a tendon, and it may move and snap over the bony tumor, causing pain.
• Numbness or tingling. Osteochondromas may be located near a nerve. When the tumor puts pressure on the nerve, there may be numbness or tingling in the associated limb. 
• Changes in blood flow. A tumor that presses on a blood vessel may cause periodic changes in blood flow. This can cause loss of pulse or changes in color of the limb. 

Before a physical examination, your doctor will talk with you about your general health, as well as your symptoms in order to get a good history of the problem. During the physical examination, your doctor will look for tenderness over the bone and check your range of motion in the area of your pain.
The podiatrist will order x-rays and possible CT scans or a MRI. If the doctor feels that the tumor is not an osteochondroma he will take a biopsy to check for cancer.
Most solitary cases of osteochondroma are left alone, watched over time by your podiatrist. Surgery may be considered if the osteochondroma:

• Causes pain
• Puts pressure on a nerve or blood vessel.
• Has a large cap of cartilage. 

To completely remove the osteochondroma the podiatrist will perform a surgical procedure called excision. The tumor will be removed at the level of the normal bone.

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Warriors' Bogut On Complicated Foot Recovery

Warriors' center Andrew Bogut has been on a complicated road to recovery following ankle surgery he had in April. This week however brought forth news that the team hid the exactly what kind of surgery he underwent.

The 7-foot center actually had microfracture ankle surgery, a serious procedure, instead the minor ankle arthroscopic surgery the Warriors reported. The Warriors also reported that Bogut would return from left ankle rehabilitation this week, practices he missed. Bogut says there is still too much swelling for him to engage in rigorous activity.
Bogut is getting increasingly frustrated by the team drumming up fan's expectations of his return. "It's frustrating. People look at you and think 'Why are you still hurting? It's just an ankle.' That's the feeling I get sometimes... You feel like you're letting down the team, the fans and the organization," Bogut told reporters on Tuesday.
The Warriors have consistently led fans and reporters to believe several falsehoods about Bogut's recovery:

• They said he might return at the end of the season, or for the Olympics. 
• They said he could play in training camp.
• They said he could play 20 minutes per game at the start of the season.
• They said he would return after 7 to 10 days of rehab.
• They said he would practice this week with the intent of playing this weekend.

Bogut and Warriors GM Bob Myers spoke in a press conference on Tuesday, making it clear that player and organization are finally on the same page. Myers defended the team against the idea they purposefully failed to disclose the nature of Bogut's injury. "On any injury that occurs, I don't think there's any attempt at deception or omission. We convey it how we think it appropriate as long as we're on the same page with the athlete. I like to think that we are transparent, and that we always will be and try to do a good job informing the media," Myers said.
Bogut says that there was "never any pressure" from the Warriors to return too soon from the injury. He was noncommittal about his return, saying it could take months. "I'm still a ways off. It's an interesting rehab, because there's no real timeline for it. I'll be back when I'm ready to play at 100%. The season's five, six months before the playoffs, which we have a great chance of making. I don't think it's going to be five, six months. I hope it won't be. It would be a massive setback if it was. I'm not going to say a month or two months or three months, but I definitely think I'll be back," Bogut said.
While the Warriors were on the road this week, Bogut was with his doctor in Los Angeles, getting blood manipulation injections. He hasn't seen improvements from the treatment yet. Bogut has been able to use the stationary bike and elliptical machine to maintain his weight and conditioning and has been on the court doing light shooting drills. He can't do any running or anything that calls for a change in direction however.
Bogut's ankle is sore and swollen after workouts. Scans show no new damage, but there is evidence of scar tissue and deep bone bruising.
Head coach Mark Jackson says "We're not pressuring him. I want him back when he's healthy. We're going to hold down the fort and take care of business. We're more than capable of going out and taking care of the job. We don't want him on the floor until he's 100%. You get uncomfortable and more frustrated when you try to rush it back."
The Warriors went 2-2 with Bogut in the line-up, who averaged 6 points and 3.8 rebounds in their first five games. Without Bogut in the line-up, they're 6-4.
"That makes life much easier because there's no pressure on me to come back right now. If we had a bad record, I'd be feeling the wrath a little bit more from everyone," Bogut said.
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Steelers' Ike Taylor Out With Fractured Ankle

Ike Taylor has been a constant in the Pittsburgh Steelers line-up. For six years coach Mike Tomlin has looked to his No. 24 jersey for consistency.

Taylor will be out for several weeks with a fractured right angle, ending his streak of 135 consecutive games.  He sustained the injury in Sunday's 23-20 win over Baltimore.
"You can say a lot of things about Ike, and a lot of positive things, but probably the thing that sticks out the most is his durability and availability. This guy hasn't missed practice, let alone football games, since I've been here," said Tomlin.
The 32 year old cornerback has spent the last seven seasons as the anchor on one side of the field. Because of him, the Steelers have ranked in the top 10 in total defense each year and are No. 1 overall in passing yards allowed.
Taylor won't need surgery, so Tomlin will rely on second year reserves Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown against San Diego and Dallas, both of which have two physical receiving corps.
"They're both talented young guys who are continuing to improve and prove that the stage isn't too big for them," Tomlin said. "Obviously we need them to answer the bell as we continue to push into a territory that we haven't been in."
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Diana Ross Breaks Ankle

Diana Ross was seen leaving LAX Airport Tuesday sporting a cast on her ankle.

The 68 year old singer broke her ankle after slipping at the end of a show she put on at Naomi Campbell's billionaire boyfriend Vladimir Doronin's 50th birthday party in India in early November. A spokesman for Ross said, "Ms. Ross accidentally slipped and broke her ankle at the end of a show for Doronin's party in India in November."
"She is fine and has been recovering. She will be performing next week for the President in Washington D.C.," the spokesman added.
Ross had flown to India to perform her hits for Doronin's 50th birthday party in Jodhpur at the 15th century Mehrangarh Fort. She was paid $500,000 English pounds to sing at the party. For the show she wore a magnificent red gown.
Ross is still in high demand, starring in TNT's annual Christmas in Washington special, which airs on December 21st. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will attend, and late night host Conan O'Brien will host the show, to be taped in Washington D.C.'s National Building Museum.
It was recently announced that a new musical based on Ross and Motown will hit Broadway. The musical is based on a book by Berry Gordy, the owner of the music label, and will be based on his life and career.
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Jockey Ramon Dominguez Out With Bruised Foot

Jockey Ramon Dominguez bruised his left foot at Aqueduct Racetrack, and will miss the next three weeks of racing.
Agent Steve Rushing said "It wasn't getting any better, so he saw a specialist who advised him to take some time off. Nothing is broken."

"He's going to take a few weeks off, and that will take us through the winter break. He'll be back the day after Christmas," Rushing added.
Dominguez injured the foot on November 14th, coming out of the gate on Desert Sunny, and still rode to victory at the New York Stallion Stakes at Aqueduct. The foot didn't bother him while he was riding, as he went 21 for 62 with two five-win days since the incident, but it hindered his walking.
"It hasn't got much better so I went and took an X-ray and while it wasn't broken the doctor said it was a pretty bad bruise. He recommended me take some time off to let it heal," Dominguez, 36, said.
During the break Dominguez will spend time with his wife and two children, and mentally prepare for what will likely be a third straight Eclipse Award-winning year. Dominguez missed three weeks earlier this year in March due to a broken collarbone sustained on March 18th.
Dominguez is one of North America's leading riders, winning 328 races (second to Russell Baze) from 1,363 mounts for more than $25 million. He has sewn up his fourth straight racing title on the New York Racing Association circuit and is a two-time Eclipse Award winner for outstanding jockey.
Overall though, Dominguez is happy. "I'm very, very happy with the way my year went. This year was a little better than last year, which was a really great year."

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Poor Foot Circulation? Try These Tips

Poor circulation is a problem facing by a growing number of people especially the elderly. The initial signs of circulation problems such as swollen ankles, cold feet, and tingling or numbness are an early sign of more serious health problems if the poor circulation is not improved. There are a number of simple methods that can help to improve blood circulation such as:
1. Start exercising
One simple way to improve your poor circulation is to become more active. Physical activities such as bike riding, swimming, and walking can greatly improve blood circulation if performed regularly. Walking is an ideal starting point in an exercise routine which can progress to more advanced exercises over time which will then get the blood pumping and gradually open the smaller vessels within the feet and toes.
2. Health eating
Reducing the amount of sugar and fat in your diet will improve your circulation because the blood will be thinner, which will allow it to flow through the small blood vessels more easily. Increasing the amount of fiber consumed will remove dietary fat from the body and improve circulation even more.
3. Stop smoking
We know it's easier said than done, but smoking not only causes cancer, it also decreases circulation in your blood vessels. Other side effects from smoking include hardening of the arteries and high cholesterol.
4. Stop stress
Stress can be a cause of foot circulation problems as the body limits blood supply to the feet and other extremities so it can be delivered to to major organs.
5. Elevate the feet
Raising your feet for short periods of time throughout the day will help increase circulation through them. By placing your feet on a chair or sofa blood will circulate properly throughout the feet.
6. Warm water soak
A short foot soak in a tub or warm water can help improve blood flow in the feet. Try adding some juniper oil to the water. This can provide short term relief, but is not a cure for circulation problems.
7. Natural supplements
A number of natural supplements are available that can help poor circulation. Incorporating some of these into your diet as part of a holistic solution is another solution to overcome poor foot circulation and prevent any further health risks that may arise should your condition deteriorate.
Poor foot circulation is a sign that your entire circulatory system is not working properly. Circulation problems in the entire body include heart attack and stroke, so seeking medical attention from a professional is always recommended to prevent deadly complications.
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Muse's Matt Bellamy Breaks Foot, Cancels Shows

Muse cancelled several of their European shows this week after lead singer Matt Bellamy broke his foot. Details of how Bellamy, 34, broke his foot are not available, but he did break two bones in his right foot.

The affected shows were in Oslo, Stockholm, and Malmo, but they hope to be back on the road for the December 10th show in Helinski, Finland.
Bellamy originally joked that he "considered playing on a Segway, but the guitar gets in the way."
A statement from the band said "We're very sorry to have to announce that Muse's forthcoming shows in Oslo, Stockholm, and Malmo have been cancelled as Matt has broken two bones in his foot. The band therefore made the difficult decision to cancel these gigs as they feel that they will not be able to do justice to their live show and the fans who have bought tickets with Matt performing on crutches. Muse would like to apologize to all their fans who have tickets to these shows. Refunds will be available from the point of purchase."
Last Thursday Bellamy tweeted a photo of the X-ray with the damage, saying "Ouch! Broke my foot." He then posted a picture of himself standing with the aid of crutches while wearing an orthopedic boot on his right foot as his dog jumps to lick his hand.
"Matt's progress will be monitored over the next few days but the remaining dates on the tour are scheduled to go ahead as planned. As soon as we have any news it will be posted on the Muse website, Facebook, and Twitter," the statement also read.
Ticketholders tried to be understanding, but some were upset. "This is the third time this has happened to me. I give up. I'm never going to see Muse," wrote fan Trackerjacket on the band's site. Hejsan722 was more understanding, writing, "I'm not going to be bitter about this anymore. Still sad but it's not their fault they had to cancel. I love them anyway and I will be there when they're coming to Sweden. Because they will!"

Switching To Winter Shoes

Say goodbye to the sandals, loose slip-ons and barefeet of the summer. Now that the cold weather months are here, most of us have switched to socks and closed toe shoes. This change in your feet's environment can cause foot problems, including:
Ingrown toenails
Wearing an enclosed shoe can be a factor in getting an ingrown toenail. Watch how you trim your toenails and also wear shoes that are not tight in the toe box.
Toenail fungus
Fungus commonly attacks the feet because it thrives in a dark, moist, and warm environment such as a shoe. Many of us wear the same shoes everyday without realizing this can promote fungal growth. To help avoid this problem, occasionally disinfect your shoes and wear different pairs to allow them to dry out. Also, remove any left over summer nail polish from your toes. Nail polish seals the nail and traps moisture, creating a breeding ground for fungus.
Light sensitive skin disorders
Wearing socks and shoes the majority of the time in the winter months, resulting in no sun or UV light exposure to the feet, may increase flare-ups of light sensitive skin conditions like psoriasis.
Irritation to bony prominences
Bony prominences on the foot due to conditions such as hammertoes, bunions, and bone spurs can be irritated by constant rubbing on the shoes. Wear socks and properly fitting shoes. Having your shoe stretched in the areas of irritation may also provide some relief.
Neuroma flare-ups
Neuromas, or nerve pain, may be triggered by tight fitting enclosed shoes. Make sure there is a wide toe box in your shoe so your toes are not being squeezed or irritated.
Call our office to schedule an appointment if your feet are experiencing problems from the switch from sandals to winter shoes. If you are experiencing a foot problem, call one of our six locations to make an appointment.
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