R.I.C.E. (RICE)

THE ACRONYM RICE IS A PATIENT'S AND DOCTOR'S BEST FRIEND.  RICE STANDS FOR REST, ICE, COMPRESSION AND ELEVATION.  WHEN OUR BODIES ENCOUNTER A PHYSICAL INJURY TO A JOINT, LIGAMENT, MUSCLE, ETC. THE BODY TENDS TO OVERREACT WHEN IT COMES TO INFLAMMATION.  INTENDED TO BE A PART IN THE HEALING PROCESS, UNFORTUNATELY IT NEARLY ALWAYS IS MORE THAN IS NEEDED AND TENDS TO BE COUNTER PRODUCTIVE TO THE OVERALL PROCESS.  THIS OVERPRODUCTION OF IMFLAMMATORY AGENTS ACTUALLY CAUSES TISSUE IRRITATION, DELAYED HEALING AND CAN LEAD THE FORMATION OF SCAR TISSUE AND OSTEOARTHRITIS INSTEAD OF NATURAL HEALING WITH THE ORIGINAL TISSUE.

ALL OF OUR TREATMENT IS DIRECTED TO REDUCE INFLAMMATION.  THIS IS DONE BY RESTING THE AREA OR JOINT SO AS NOT TO FURTHUR DAMAGE IT WHILE IT IS HEALING.  THE APPLICATION OF ICE  FOR 15 MINUTES A MINIMUM OF 3 TIMES PER DAY.  THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO AID HEALING.  THE MORE OFTEN IN A DAY YOU CAN ICE THE BETTER.  THE NEXT THING THAT WE DO IS COMPRESS THE AREA WITH A TENSOR BANDAGE OR SOME OTHER TYPE OF ELASTIC SUPPORT.  THE LAST PART IS ELEVATION.  WE WANT THE INJURED PART OT BE ELEVATED TO A POSITION WHERE THE INJURY IS HIGHER THAN THE HEART.  GRAVITY CAUSES POOLING, ESPECIALLY IN THE LOWER LIMB.  IF FOR EXAMPLE IT IS YOUR ANKLE THAT IS INJURED, YOU WOULD SIT WITH YOUR FOOT ON A DESK OR IF YOU ARE LYING DOWN, YOU WOULD ELEVATE YOUR FOOT ON A PILLOW.  MANY OF THESE PROCEDURES CAN BE DONE CONCURRENTLY.  THEREFORE YOU COULD REST, ELEVATE AND ICE AT THE SAME TIME.

THE HARDEST THING TO DO IS TO GET PATIENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR OWN TREATMENT.  THEY WILL DRIVE TO YOUR OFFICE, PAY FOR THE TREATMENT, BUT ASK THEM TO DO R.I.C.E. OR EXERCISES AND MANY JUST CAN'T FIND THE TIME OR BE BOTHERED.  MOST FOOT SPECIALISTS, INCLUDING FOOT DOCTORS, CHIROPODISTS AND PODIATRISTS AGREE THAT IF THE PATIENT BECOMES AN EQUAL AND RESPONSIBLE PARTNER IN THEIR TREATMENT AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN HEALTH, POSITIVE OUTCOMES  ARE GREATLY INCREASED.

UNTIL NEXT TIME, YOUR FOOT SPECIALIST, MARZ

PROFESSIONAL FOOT CLINIC

416-465-8737

Toronto, ON Chiropodist Academy Foot and Orthotic

752 BROADVIEW AVENUE Toronto, ON M4K 2P1 

Across from the Broadview Subway | Professional Family Foot Care