Minimally Invasive Bunion Procedure

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Dr. Sara Shirazi employs the latest techniques and advancements in foot and ankle surgery for her patients. She strongly believes in early weight bearing to get the active patient back on their feet as soon as it is safe to do so. Non-weight bearing for 6-8 weeks is a thing of the past!

Early ambulation prevents most common post-operative issues such as stiffness, muscle loss, blood clots, limited mobility and range of motion, extended physical therapy course, and so on.

Contact Pasadena Orthopedics at 626-517-0022 to see if you are a candidate for minimally invasive bunion surgery.

Chronic Ankle Instability

The Cycle of Chronic Ankle Instability

• The initial inversion injury occurs: your foot suddenly rolls inwardly and your weight shifts onto the outside edge of your ankle

• The forced rotation of your ankle joint causes the supporting ligaments to stretch or tear

• Stretched and torn ligaments are weaker and may not heal properly

• Unable to play their role supporting the ankle joint, your ligaments give way easily, resulting in more sprains

• The result is chronic ankle instability and an unending cycle of ankle sprains

• Over time, and without treatment, repeated injury to the ankle ligaments can lead to degenerative changes and possibly osteoarthritis

Progression of Instability, Pain, and Arthritis

So, you’ve been diagnosed with chronic ankle instability...Now what?

Know that chronic ankle instability is a long-term condition that may not heal on its own. Rest, ice, compression, non-weight bearing, physical therapy, and elevation may provide temporary relief of the pain from an ankle sprain, but they will not repair damaged ligaments. Once conservative treatment is exhausted, surgical repair may be necessary. InternalBrace is like a brace on the inside!

Ask Dr. Sara Shirazi if the InternalBrace ligament augmentation may be right for you - call (626) 517-0022.

Gel Injection for Ankle Arthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common forms of arthritis. It occurs over time as the cartilage on the ends of bones wears down resulting with bone on bone grinding. Osteoarthritis worsens with time and patients often experience pain, stiffness, loss of flexibility, grinding sensation and formation of bone spurs. Currently there is no cure, and maintaining a healthy weight and healthy lifestyle, custom orthotics, proper shoe gear can help slow the progression.

Knee and ankle implants have a lifespan of 10 years and is often reserved as a last resort treatment option for the older population. An alternative treatment option is the use of hyaluronate injections. Hyaluronate sodium is a derivative of hyaluronic acid a natural substance that surrounds joints. The fluid acts as a lubricant and shock absorbent protecting joints. Over a course of four to eight weeks the use of hyaluronate injections may reduce the need for a joint replacement and help promote production of synovial fluid. In a diseased and arthritic joint, the production of hyaluronate decreases leading to mechanical destruction of the joint and pain. At the moment hyaluronate products are considered as off-labeled use in the ankle joint, but FDA approved for the knee joint.

There are six major trade name products: Euflexxa, Gel-one, Hyalgan, Supartz, Synvisc, Orthovisc. Most of these products are injected into the ankle joint 3 times total, one injection per week. Patients can return to normal daily activities but should postpone strenuous activities for 48 hours after each injection. The benefits typically last from 6-18 months or even longer. Even greater improvement has been observed when combined with arthroscopic debridement according to Carpenter and Motley in 2008.

For more information about viscosupplementation, make an appointment at (626) 517-0022 to see Dr. Sara Shirazi at Pasadena Orthopedics!