Abigail Rappa, DPM

What do Joe Burrow, Brock Purdy, and Treylon Burks have in common? Beyond being high-profile NFL players, all three have been sidelined by a condition known as turf toe. Turf toe is an injury to the soft tissues surrounding the big toe joint. This joint is formed by two bones connected by ligaments, tendons, and other supporting structures. When excessive or abnormal force is placed on the joint, these soft tissues can become overstretched or torn, resulting in a turf toe injury. The severity...

Pain in the ball of the foot can significantly impair walking and quality of life. One potential cause of this symptom is plantar plate injury, a condition that affects a key stabilizing structure of the forefoot. The plantar plate plays an essential role in maintaining toe alignment during gait, and damage to this structure can result in pain, instability, and progressive toe deformity. Management ranges from conservative care to surgical intervention, depending on injury severity, making...

Fats often get a bad reputation, but not all fats are created equal. In reality, certain types of fats are essential for keeping your heart, brain, and body functioning at their best. Among the most important are the omega fatty acids—a group of unsaturated fats that play a critical role in overall health. Understanding what they are, how they work, and where to find them can help you make smarter dietary choices and better support your overall wellness.   Fatty acids, the building blocks of...