Doc On The Run Podcast

Why doctors prescribe 4 to 6 weeks in a fracture boot for stress fractures in runners

Metatarsal stress fractures are one of the most common injuries in runners. Unfortunately for runners, 4 weeks to 6 weeks in a fracture walking it boot is the common recommendation from doctors.  

Part of the reason you get the boot for 4-6 weeks, is that you didn’t give your doctor enough information to recommend anything else. The doctor wants you to heal. The way you tell your stress fracture fracture story leaves the doctor imaging the worst possible scenario and you get the worst possible treatment as a result.  

To heal a stress fracture you need to stop stressing the bone. You need to stop causing damage. It is that simple. 

Today on the Doc On The Run Podcast we're talking about why doctors prescribe 4-6 weeks in a fracture boot for stress fractures in runners.

Why runners should not start with prescription medications

This weekend, I was giving a lecture at a medical conference that was specific to running injuries. 

During the question and answer period, one of the physicians in the audience asked a completely valid question. 

She asked, "Why wouldn't you just begin with a prescription medication if you're 100% sure that medication had the highest probability of reducing the patient's symptoms?”

The difference between the treatment options really lies in what is best for a runner long-term, versus what may best in the short term.

Today on the Doc On The Run Podcast we're talking about why runners should not start running injury treatment with prescription medications.

Find your second wind in running injury recovery

Think back to the last time you really remember getting a second wind. Maybe it was 2 miles into your fastest 5K. Maybe it was mile 18 or mile 22 of a marathon.

Just when you felt you really couldn’t got on, just when you hit an all time low, your energy started to grow. You felt revived. Energized, you pressed on the the finish, thrilled with the boost of energy moving you forward. 

Every runner recovering from a running injury will have dark days. The energy vaporizes and is replaced by frustration. If not careful, despair can set it. 

On these days in your recovery it is crucial you dig deep. 

Today on the Doc On The Run Podcast we're talking about finding your second wind in running injury recovery.

What is an osteochondral defect in a runner?

A few minutes ago I was on a second opinion telemedicine call with runner who was told he had an MRI showing an “osteochondral defect.” 

The doctor told him to stop running.

If a joint surface gets damage, you may develop a little soft-spot called an “osteochondral defect.” 

Just because you have an osteochondral defect, it doesn't necessarily mean you have to stop running, but you do need to figure out whether or not it's actually a problem that could get worse if you don't address it.

Today on the Doc On The Run Podcast we're talking about osteochondral defects in runners.

Your sensor is broken

I just got off a telemedicine call with a woman who was an elite runner in college.

She has been having a difficult time getting back to an acceptable level of activity after recovering from her overtraining injury. 

When you have been doing a certain run at a certain pace, as a part of your training for years, you always fell like you can do that workout. 

But when you get a running injury and take time off, unfortunately, your sense of reality is off in that moment. What you sense about your fitness is off.

Today on the Doc On The Run Podcast we're talking about how your sensor is broken.

What is traction neuritis?

If you over-stretch any nerve it can become inflamed and painful.

If you roll your ankle on a trail you can get a condition called traction neuritis.

Most of the time when I am on a telemedicine or second opinion call with a runner with traction neuritis, they have been misdiagnosed with some other condition.

If you understand how to tell the difference, you can understand how to get back to running sooner. 

Today on the Doc On The Run Podcast we're talking about traction neuritis in a runner and what it really means.

Why runners need to flirt with overtraining injury

If you hire a running coach, your coach is going to design a program that is going to actually test you physically and mentally, and push you to your physiologic limits on a regular basis to make you stronger. 

Any running coach will give you a series of workouts to execute. 

And when you do runs correctly then what happens is that you do the maximum amount of tissue damage that your body can sustain and rebuild before your next workout.

Today on the Doc On The Run Podcast we're talking about why runners need to flirt with overtraining injury.

What is osteophytosis?

Osteophytosis is a common finding on foot and ankle x-rays of runners. Bone spurs can form anywhere bone is irritated or otherwise aggravated by jamming, jarring motion. 

Most often, osteophytosis is found in the heel, big toe joint and ankle joint. 

The real is question is whether or not the osteophytosis a problem that needs to be removed, treated, or even prevented.  

Today on the Doc On The Run Podcast we're talking about osteophytosis in the foot and ankle in a runner.

The 3 most important days in healing

The biggest mistake any runner can make when seeing a doctor for a running injury is leaving the office without a clear picture or how bad the injury actually may be. 

If you don’t have a clear idea of your state of injury, you (or your doctor) are only guessing at how long it will take to get better and return to running. 

Part of the lack of clarity is your fault. You have to communicate what really happened when you got injured, what happened between the injury and the day you show up in the doctor’s office, and your running goals.

Without doing all of that, you cannot get an accurate baseline on your injury or expect to use it for comparison as you maintain your fitness now and ramp up your running later. 

Today on the Doc On The Run Podcast we're talking about the 3 most important days in healing any running injury.

Tell your friends they can Start Running in 3 Steps

The chances are good a lot of your friends secretly admire your ability to run. Unfortunately it seems a lot of people who want to start running, but don't think of themselves as runners find it very difficult to start.

Sooner or later one of your friends is going to call you or talk to you and ask for some advice.

The real challenge and helping one of your friends begin running is to get them to go for the initial run, and be proud of themselves for doing it.

I really believe that we as runners to understand how good it makes us feel have an obligation to be as encouraging as possible to our friends, when they want to start running as well.

Today on the Doc On The Run Podcast, we’re talking about the 3 steps you can give to any friend who wants to start running.