Over the next 3 weeks the London Summer Olympics will be showcasing thousands of athletes from all over the world. These athletes have been training for years to hone their performance to meet summer game standards and strive for a podium finish.  There is no doubt these athletes have injured themselves during their training while running, walking, jumping, lifting, aiming, throwing, diving, vaulting, rowing and swimming. Some athletes may even be competing at the London games with some type of injury.  The good news is that Olympic athletes have access to many different health professionals to treat their ailments to help them get ready for competition.  Some of the lower leg extremity problems that can hamper an athlete included: Hip pain ·          Bursitis ·          Leg length difference Knee pain ·          Jumper’s knee (patellar tend...

Y esterday on the on the drive home from the office I was listening to “Here and Now” hosted by Laura Di Battista on CBC radio. She was talking with Michael Bhardwaj (@radiobhardwaj) the national science columnist for CBC Radio. He was discussing  a flip flop fungus experiment that was reported by Jason Feifer in the New York Magazine . Michael outlined the variety of fungus and bacteria found on the upper surface of flip flops to Laura’s horror. Michael stated even though there are many bacteria and fungus on the surface of your feet and flip flops, our healthy immune systems can deal with the bacteria and fungus. He suggested washing the upper surface of your flip flops touching your feet with soap and water. This gets rid of 99.9% of the bacteria and fungus. Foot fungus is a common complaint that I treat on a daily basis in my office.  A fungi is a microscopic plant like organism that thrives in moist, humid and dark environments. A mushroom that grows on a l...