3840 Belfort Road Suite 102
Jacksonville, FL 32216
904-739-9129

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Posts for: January, 2012

Snow may only very rarely be in the weather forecast during winter in Jacksonville FL, but that doesn't mean it doesn’t get a bit chilly. Runners, who frequently hit the pavement or trails early in the morning, often experience the coldest part of a day. As such, it's recommended that runners have two different types of training regimes- one for warmer days (thankfully plentiful in Florida!) and one for cooler days to help keep you going.

Whether you’re a casual recreational jogger or a competitive athlete considering participation in the upcoming “26.2 With Donna – National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer” consider the following for your “winter running regime”:

1.     Not too much:Do not plan to make any increases in mileage or speed during colder weather. Pushing oneself harder in the cold could lead to injury (and a visit to the First Coast Foot and Ankle Clinic!) 

2.    Warm up indoors:at least briefly before running and be especially vigilant if conditions are wet or perhaps even icy.

3.    Wear clothing appropriate for running in colder weather: Running shoes in good condition are a must. Try thick, absorbent, dry socks and make sure you have adequate space in your running shoes to accommodate these thicker socks; consider buying a half-size larger running shoe for your winter regime. Also, wear a warm hat. A significant amount of body heat is lost directly from the head, which affects the whole body's circulation.

4.    Be mindful of the wind-chill factor! Some runners prefer to run into the wind to start off and then return with the wind at their backs. The return run is easier since you have perspired and your body is warmer.

5.    Protect your skin!Use a moisturizer, protective lip balm, and sun block to prevent blister formation and redness in the face area.

6.    Stay Hydrated:Drink PLENTY of water before and after running to ensure your muscles recover after running in cold weather.

7.    Most Importantly:Be safe, stay warm, and HAVE FUN!

By Dr. Vimal Reddy


Lucky the Penguin wasn’t so lucky at birth.  He was born with a badly deformed foot, which made it difficult for him to swim and when walking develop sores, which would get infected. The zoo vet determined surgery would be too risky. Luckily for Lucky Teva, a local shoe company stepped forward and was able to engineer footwear to help Lucky function normally.

At the First Coast Foot and Ankle Clinic, Dr. Vimal Reddy sees this issue on a daily basis; but in humans, not penguins, of course. With diabetes a growing problem in Jacksonville FL, severe case can result in foot deformations called Charcot [shar-COH] neuroarthropathy or simply Charcot Foot. Like Lucky the Penguin, people with Charcot Foot have altered bone structure.  Walking will put stress on the foot in ways that can damage it, resulting in sores that can become infected. Like Lucky the Penguin, people with Charcot Foot are able to benefit enormously from custom shoes designed to distribute pressure across the foot.

For some, surgery could be the option to correct a foot deformity like Charcot but it’s no walk in the park. The procedure takes a great deal of metal fixators (plates, screws, pins, etc.) and the recovery period is long. For the right patient, it’s worth it if it can restore a patient’s ability to function normally.   Although surgery isn’t for everyone, patients like Lucky the Penguin will do just fine with their custom shoes.

If you have any questions or concerns for yourself of someone you love, please don’t hesitate to contact the First Coast Foot and Ankle Clinic to set up an appointment today.

By Vimal Reddy


Three of Jacksonville’s most promising young wide receivers at First Coast High School are potentially leading their team to a perfect season. What makes this so remarkable is two out of the three athletes have struggled with injuries this season. It’s always an inspiring story when athletes overcome a setbacks like an injury to put together a winning season. With proper rehabilitation managed by a podiatric physician such as Dr. Vimal Reddy, an injury does not have to mean the end of your days competing on the football field.

One receiver, Brandon Brooks suffered from a broken ankle. The most common injury in sports is the sprained ankle, which occurs when twisting or rolling your foot inwards. If you roll or twist your foot in the opposite direction, it will likely break.

The ankle joint consists of the:

  • Talus (the ankle bone)
  • Tibia (the shin bone)
  • Fibula

The bony bumps you can feel at your ankle are actually the lowest parts of the tibia (inner) and fibula (outer). During ankle fractures, one or both of these bony bumps will break off. Dr. Reddy will first check the bone fragments for stability to see if they will heal on their own.

Ankle fractures almost always need surgery to heal.  Dr. Reddy would make a small cut over the broken bone and drill screws into the bone fragments so they stay connected.  After surgery, you will need to stay off your ankle for 3-4 weeks, followed by a few weeks in a walking cast and physical therapy to help regain your strength to get back on the field.

By Dr. Vimal Reddy