Doc On The Run Podcast

Stopped sports for 2 months and got 2 more stress fractures

Today's episode comes from a comment posted on a video on the Doc On The Run YouTube channel. He posted a comment, and he said: “This happened to me, I got a stress fracture on my right foot in the third metatarsal. I stopped all sports for two months and somehow ended up with two more stress fractures.” Today on the Doc on the Run podcast, we're talking about somebody who stopped sports for two months and got two more stress fractures.

Can a tibial stress fracture still hurt after 11 months?

Tibial stress fractures can be serious, and seriously frustrating if you don't treat them appropriately and aggressively. Today's episode from a question on one of the Doc On The Run YouTube videos. As you can guess from his question, I am sure Simon must be frustrated. He asked: Can a tibial stress fracture still hurt after 11 months? Well, that is a great question and that is what we're talking about today on the Doc On The Run Podcast.

3 Steps to run with a stress fracture

There really are three steps that I figured out that you need to do if you have a stress fracture but need to start running. Runners call me or ask questions about whether they can run with a "grade 2" or a "grade 3" stress fracture, but many times they do not even understand what that means. Truth is, the runner has not actually figured out how bad the stress fracture is, right now. What are the three steps you need to take if you want to start running with a stress fracture? Well, that is what...

Should I stop using the metatarsal offloading pad as I start running after stress fracture?

If you have a second metatarsal stress fracture, and you want to stop stressing the second metatarsal, so it can heal faster, you must take stress off that bone. If you apply more pressure to all metatarsals (except the second), it will heal faster. One of the runners who signed up for the metatarsal stress fracture course for runners was doing better and had starting to run. He asked me a question I had just not thought of before. He asked: Should I stop using the metatarsal offloading pads aft...

Navicular stress fracture severity explained

How long before I can run after a plantar plate sprain?

One of the most common runners’ injuries I see for second opinion is a plantar plate sprain. A plantar plate sprain happens usually on the bottom of the second toe. It is a little bitty ligament that gets sprained or partially torn. Most of those runners with a plantar plate injury want to know how long is it going to take to get back to running. Recently a few runners told me they asked chat GPT, or some AI program to try to figure this out. So, I wanted to tell you what AI told me when I asked...

Top 5 navicular stress fracture treatment mistakes in runners

The navicular bone isn't a big bone, but is a critically important one. A fracture of the navicular is one of the most frightening things that I see in runners. If you get a navicular stress fracture, there are a few mistakes that I often notice. If you can recognize them, you may spend a lot less time in a fracture boot, or off running. What are the top five navicular stress fracture mistakes I see in runners? Well, that is what we're talking about today on the Doc On The Run Podcast....

How long before I can run with a 2nd metatarsal stress fracture?

I get lots of questions from injured runners about stress fractures. As a consequence, one of the most common questions I get is, "How long before I can run if I get a second metatarsal stress fracture." So, in this case I decided to ask Dr. CHAT-GPT that question and see what happens! How long before I can run with a second metatarsal stress fracture? Well, that is a great question and that is what we're talking about today on the Doc On The Run Podcast.

From plantar plate sprain and Achilles tendinitis to running UTMB Mont-Blanc

Today on the Doc on the Run podcast, we're talking with Dr. Ralph Gonzalez about running UTMB Mont Blanc after recovering from a plantar plate sprain and Achilles tendinosis. Specifically, he's here to talk about his path from injury to crossing the finish line at UTMB and what inspired him to run the challenging race. From plantar plate sprain and Achilles tendinitis to running UTMB Mont-Blanc.

When can I walk barefoot at home with a 2nd metatarsal stress fracture?

I was talking with an injured runner who had a stress fracture in the second metatarsal bone. He was working hard to get it to heal faster. He had gone through the stress fracture course for runners, and he was doing great. He asked me a question: When can I walk at home barefoot with a second metatarsal stress fracture? Well, that is a great question and that is what we're talking about today on the Doc On The Run Podcast.

4 times navicular fracture may need surgery

I have recently had a rash of runners with navicular fractures. The navicular is a bone that is right on the top of your foot, in front of your ankle and it's also at the apex of your arch. Navicular fractures are scary because doctors often recommend surgery. There are four times when you might really need to have surgery for a navicular fracture and in this episode, we are going to talk about why. What are the four times a navicular fracture might need surgery? Well, that is what we're talking...

Can an accessory navicular stress fracture cause flexor hallucis longus tendinitis in a runner?

I was on a second opinion call with a runner. She developed a stress fracture in her accessory navicular bone. If that wasn’t enough, she then started having pain in her arch in the tendon that pulls on her big toe. That tendon is called the Flexor Hallucis Longus Tendon, or FHL Tendon. Can an accessory navicular stress fracture cause flexor hallucis longus tendinitis in a runner? Well, the short answer is yes, and I am going to explain how in today's episode of the Doc On The Run podcast....

Can bone scan tell Jones stress fracture from Styloid stress reaction in a runner?

Jones fracture is a scary injury if you are a runner. If you have been diagnosed with a Jones fracture and want to start running sooner, you must understand the severity. Can a bone scan help you tell the difference between a Jones fracture stress reaction and a styloid stress reaction in a runner? Well, good question and that is what we're talking about today on the Doc On The Run Podcast.

Why should runners sleep in boot for 5th metatarsal stress fracture?

If you get a stress fracture in the fifth metatarsal, there are a couple of reasons why you might want to sleep in a fracture walking boot. Your goal is to keep the total amount of stress applied to that stress fracture under your threshold for healing, throughout the entire 24-hour period. Why should I sleep in a boot for a fifth metatarsal stress fracture? Well, that is a great question and that is what we're talking about today on the Doc On The Run Podcast.

Bone Scan vs. X-ray for 2nd metatarsal c reaction in a runner

If you get a metatarsal stress reaction or a metatarsal stress fracture your doctor may order medical imaging to figure out how bad it really is. Your doctor's goal is to really figure out if it is a stress reaction or is it a stress fracture. What is the difference when it comes to medical imaging using a bone scan versus an x-ray when you are looking for a second metatarsal stress fracture in a runner? Well, that is what we're talking about today on the Doc On The Run Podcast....

First test run 2 weeks after injury, how long should I run?

You have a couple of options when you get injured. One option is to wait so long that you know for a fact it has to be healed enough that it can withstand the forces of running. The other option is to move that timeline faster and make things happen a lot quicker. The only way to do that is by testing. One of the things you can test with is a test run. A runner asked me how long her first test run should be, if she had been two weeks since the injury actually had happened. Let us say you have be...

Can thinking about healing make your running injury heal faster?

Whenever you consciously give your brain direction, your subconscious brain will go to work to achieve it. Your subconscious mind is not just controlling things that you want to happen but it's controlling things that you don't want, too. If you focus on negativity, if you focus on your injury getting worse, you will probably get worse. So, the question is can you take this aspect of your brain and controlling your subconscious mind and use it to your advantage when you are trying to heal and ge...

Why Stress Reaction can take longer than Stress Fracture to heal in a runner

Which do you think is worse, a stress fracture or a stress reaction? Well, since a fracture is a crack and a reaction is just inflamed and irritating, you probably think stress reaction. However, it's not true. Sometimes stress reactions take longer than stress fractures to heal in runners. Why can a stress reaction take longer than stress fractures to heal in a runner? Well, that is what we're talking about today on the Doc On The Run Podcast.

Cushioning shoes vs Stability shoes for a test run?

I was just on a call with an injured runner who is about to go out for a test run. She is very excited because she is going to get either a yes or a no on deciding if the tissue in her foot that is been healing is strong enough to withstand a little bit of running at a medium pace for a short distance. This is an important test because if it hurts, obviously no running, right? You got to wait some more. But because you want to get a yes, you want to make sure that your chances of getting the yes...

My FHL tendon sheath is inflamed should I inject it before my 100 mile trail race?

What if you were ramping up for several years to run 100 miles, but then you got tendinitis? If you start getting pain because you have been doing lots of hill repeats, you could get irritation of the FHL tendon and specifically the tendon sheath that surrounds it where it bends around the back of the ankle. One of the treatment options is to inject it with corticosteroids. So, this runner called me and wanted to know whether or not it would be a good idea for her to inject the tendon sheath wit...

Should I use tape for extensor tenosynovitis?

If you get pain on the top of your foot because you irritated the extensor tendons, they can be very painful. A runner asked me recently about using athletic tape to heal extensor tenosynovitis. Since it seems like athletic tape can help almost any type of musculoskeletal injury, you might be wondering, could taping help the tendons or the tendon sheath on the top of your foot when it gets aggravated. Should I use tape if I have extensor tenosynovitis? Well, that is what we're talking about toda...

If I only had 30 days to return to running after injury

Yesterday I was at the Twin Cities Foot and Ankle Conference in St. Paul, Minnesota. The reason I was there is I was invited by the Minnesota Podiatric Medical Association to come and give a one-hour lecture, about "What's New in Sports Medicine." It may not surprise you that most of what I was talking about was how to help injured runners get back to training, full activity, after overtraining injuries, as quickly as possible. After my talk, another doctor out in the hallway approached me, and ...

What can a runner with hallux rigidus when if not a good candidate for cheilectomy surgery?

Today's episode comes from a running injury from Jamie. He wanted to know about hallux rigidus. He asked: “Are there any non-surgical approaches to helping hallux rigidus when you are not a good candidate for a cheilectomy?” What can a runner do when you have hallux rigidus but you're not a good candidate for cheilectomy surgery? Well, that is what we're talking about today on the Doc On The Run Podcast.

Can a percutaneous tenotomy for mallet toe cause plantar plate injury in a runner?

I often get some questions from listeners I would never imagine. I just got one of those questions from a runner who has a mallet toe. Her doctor suggested surgery. The runner was worried because she been researching hammer toes and mallet toes. During that search she learned a lot about the plantar plate ligament as it relates to crooked toes. She was worried that if she had the surgery, it might cause a plantar plate injury. Can a percutaneous tenotomy surgery cause a plantar plate injury? Wel...

Does a runner always have to finish the standard 5-6weeks of crutches?

Today's episode comes from a question posted on one of the YouTube videos, specifically on an episode called, “Should I get an MRI to see if I can run now?” Haitham wanted to know: “Would you say it is okay to walk if you are pain-free after being non-weight-bearing for two weeks? Does one always have to finish the standard five to six weeks of crutches?” Does a runner always have to finish the standard five or six weeks on crutches? Well, that is a great question and that is what we're talking ...

Should I work out today if I did not sleep well last night?

I was on a call this morning with a former professional Ironman triathlete. This guy is the real deal. He is not lazy. He is not unmotivated. He is not unathletic. He is a top tier kind of athletic guy, and he is very, very aware of his body. He is also very adept at the process of damaging tissue we call "training" and the need for healing those tissues to make his body stronger. What he also understands is that the process of healing a ligament sprain (or "injury") is the same thing. During ou...

Should I just wait 4 weeks with a fibular stress fracture?

I got a question from a runner with a fibular stress fracture. She said her primary care doctor got r x-rays of the fibula bone. The doctor could not tell from the x-rays if the spot on my fibula that looks odd might be an old stress fracture or a new stress fracture in the fibula bone. The recommendation from the primary care physician was basically to just wait for four weeks, let it heal, let it calm down. She asked: “Is my primary care doctor's advice wrong?" Should I just wait for weeks to ...

How does taping help tibial sesamoid stress fracture in a runner?

I was on a call with a patient who was a professional Ironman triathlete. He had a tibial sesamoid stress fracture. The sesamoid bones are little bones underneath your big toe joint. They are kind of like tiny little kneecaps that you stand on. And when you are trying to heal one, AND maintain your fitness, it can be a real challenge. But a couple of little tricks can help. How does taping a tibial sesamoid stress fracture actually help you heal when you are an injured runner? Well, that is what...

The doctor’s job is not to tell you stop running

I was just lecturing at the International Foot and Ankle Foundation meeting in Hawaii. In the very first talk, I asked one of the doctors sitting on the front row, "What is your most important question about this patient?” And he answered, “How did it start?” I replied, “You do not care about how it started, you do not even care about the injury, you should care more about the runner's goals.” You probably go to the doctor because your foot hurts, and you want your doctor to fix your foot. If yo...

Can a doctor do hammertoe surgery on a runner with only a needle

Today's episode comes from a runner who asked me a very interesting question during a surgical second opinion webcam call. She seemed to be really confused because the doctor had recommended performing hammertoe surgery in the doctor's office, and not an operating room. She thought that was weird. She was also confused because the surgery would be performed using only a needle and not a scalpel. Can a doctor really do a hammer toe surgery using nothing but a needle? Well, that is what we're talk...