Rib Pain »
Most runners, at some point in time, have had some sort of injury to the ribcage. Usually this limits our ability to take those nice deep breaths we all enjoy while running. This article will discuss some of the more common rib injuries.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury »
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a particularly common knee injury that affects 100,000 to 200,000 people each year in the United States. It is the same injury that Tiger Woods struggled with when he won the US Open Golf Championship in 2008
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) »
You’ve just finished an heroic workout. You felt no problems during and immediately afterward. Now, it’s two days later and your legs are so sore that you can’t walk, let alone
So What’s the Plan? »
“So what’s the plan?” This question was leveled at me after telling a patient that she may have a fracture in her knee after a fall. The problem was that she was training for an upcoming marathon and taking a complete sabbatical from training was not an option.
Calcaneal Fat Pad Injury »
There are many causes of heel pain. One of the less familiar sources of injury to the heel is to the calcaneal fat pad. This injury can be mistaken for plantar fasciitis, but is a completely different entity.
Ouch, Hamstring Strains »
Wednesday is track day for me. Intervals, anaerobic intensity and intense pain are the order of the day. This particular day however, I was running late
The Miracle Cure »
Runners can entertain each other for hours talking about the symptoms and effects of various leg injuries and ailments. Useful treatments, however, tend to amount to one thing: RICE.
Sacroiliac Joint Syndrome »
You innocently bend over to pick something off the floor and suddenly— low back pain! Examination by your doctor reveals that you haven’t got a disk injury or a hip problem and your blood work doesn’t demonstrate any inflammatory arthritic conditions, yet you still don’t have a diagnosis. What could this be?
Exercise Related Transient Abdominal Pain (ETAP) AKA “Stitches” »
1.What is it? ETAP or stitches are pain in the abdominal area that can occur during certain activities such as running. Studies of ETAP have indicated that up to 69% of runners may experience these painful episodes. 2.What are the causes/predisposing factors of ETAP? ETAP is widely believed to be due to spasm or irritation [...]
Bummed »
It is hardly unusual to experience what some have called post-marathon depression. You have spent months (maybe years) preparing for that marathon goal and, regardless of how it went, it’s over now, and you’re wondering what comes next. It’s a perfectly normal feeling when the crystal clarity of a specific goal gives way to vague [...]
Abdominal Muscle Strain »
1. What is it? An abdominal muscle strain is an excessive stretching or tearing of one or more of the four abdominal muscles. These muscles are the rectus abdominus (the “six pack” muscle in the front of the abdomen), internal oblique, external oblique and transverses abdominus muscles. [ad#inPost-Big] 2. What are the causes/predisposing factors of [...]
Physically Speaking: Rotator Cuff »
1. What is it? The rotator cuff is made up of the four muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis) and their tendons that attach the upper arm to the shoulder blade. These muscles allow for movement of the shoulder, which is the most mobile joint in the body, and provide stability by helping to [...]
And Now for Something Completely Different: Heel Spurs! »
1. What is it? A heel spur is a bony growth or calcification that begins at the bottom of the heel and extends forward towards the toes. 2. What are the causes/predisposing factors of injury? People with chronic plantar fasciitis seem to be more prone to heel spurs. A tight plantar fascia, heel cord or [...]
The Joys of Cross Training »
The only thing worse than running… is not running. But sometimes that’s the only answer when it comes to injury recovery. About two weeks ago my patellar tendon decided it really wanted a rest (the patellar tendon is attached to the shin and kneecap, which when inflamed causes a tightness and often sharp ache under [...]
The Worst Part of Running »
I know, I know. We’re not supposed to hate anything about running, right? Certainly if you put it on a ledger the assets would far outnumber the debits. But if you peered into the deepest recesses of your most secret thoughts you would find something about our chosen sport that you despise. No? OK, it’s [...]
Achilles Tendonitis »
1. What is it? The Achilles tendon is the common attachment point for the calf muscles to the heel. It is the thickest and strongest tendon in the body (it is also the most frequently ruptured tendon too). Achilles tendonitis is usually due to overuse from repetitive micro-trauma causing inflammation. Achilles tendonitis accounts for up [...]
Winning the Injury Marathon »
Distance runners are patient people. We have to run for hours to reach our goal. We train for months for one race. We know to pace ourselves for the long haul. You won’t find too many of us trying an all-out sprint halfway through a race, just to see how it feels. Nor will you [...]
Running is (Not!) Too Hard on the Body – Part II »
Article Summary: The second in a two-part series that offers hope to runners who’ve given up on running because of injuries, or who are close to giving up because of pain and injuries, or who are new to running and want to avoid injuries. In part one, I shared that I, like many runners, had [...]
Running is (Not!) Too Hard on the Body – Part I »
Article Summary: Part one of a two-part series that offers hope to runners who’ve given up on running because of injuries, or who are close to giving up because of pain and injuries, or who are new to running and want to avoid injuries. Have you ever met someone who said they had to quit [...]
Muscle Cramps »
Article Summary: Describes what muscle cramps are, what brings them on, what the symptoms are for muscle cramps, and what can be done to prevent and treat them. 1. What is it? A muscle cramp is a painful, sustained involuntary contraction of a muscle. A cramp can last for seconds to minutes or longer and [...]
The Best Way to Strengthen Your VMOs »
My running has been plagued by bad patella tracking and therefore knee pain. Poor patella tracking is typically due to weak Vastus Medialis Oblique (VMO) muscles and tight quads. I have tried doing many different VMO exercises but they came up short. I did many leg extensions and leg presses and even though the VMO [...]
Chondromalacia, It’s a Mouthful »
1. What is it? Chondromalacia is the destruction of the cartilage under the kneecap. Normally this cartilage is smooth and allows a gliding motion of the kneecap over the femur. However, with certain knee problems, the kneecap may not track smoothly over the femur. The result is that the areas in contact with each other [...]
Pes Anserine … What? »
Pes Anserine Bursitis/Tendonitis, that’s what. 1. What is it? This injury occurs where three muscles come together and attach to the tibia bone on the medial side of the knee, just below the knee joint. The three muscles are the gracilis, sartorius and semitendinosis. These muscles and the bursa associated with them can be subjected [...]
Thoughts on a Month of Slack »
So, I’ve essentially taken a little bit more than a month “off,” thanks to a little bout of “plantar fascitis,” about which you can read much more on the site. And I’m having kind of a hard time getting back on track. I don’t think it’s lack of desire, or lack of willpower—there’s nothing so [...]
Iliotibial Band Syndrome: What is It and Why You Should Care »
1. What is it? The iliotibial band (ITB) is a sheet of fibrous tissue that extends from the outside of the hip, down the outer thigh to the outside of the knee. The ITB helps to stabilize the knee joint. During normal movement, as the knee bends and straightens, the ITB rubs over part of [...]
Shin Bone’s Connected to the … »
1. What are “shin splints”? Shin splints are overuse injuries that occur in the lower leg. They may be due to a tearing of the muscle/tendon junction or inflammation where the muscle attaches to the bone (periostitis). Shin splints are now more commonly called medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) when they involve the inner aspect [...]
Patience with Patients »
I see quite a few runners in my practice, and it appears that they are comforted by the fact that I too am a runner. However, these patients can be both the most rewarding and challenging patients to treat. The reward is to see them back running healthy again. The difficult part is dealing with some of the more unique personality types that make our encounters more
Ouch, My Ankle! »
Let’s talk about ankle sprains. What is an ankle sprain? A sprain injury occurs when ligaments, which are soft tissue structures that hold bones together, are damaged. The most common ankle sprain is an inversion type, where the foot rolls over excessively, damaging the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. What are the causes/predisposing factors of injury?
The 3 R’s of Running: Recovery, Rest, Recharge »
If you wind up on the injured list, a health care practitioner will usually tell you to follow the RICE acronym—rest, ice, compression and elevation. Take note that the very first letter— “R”—stands for “rest.” When you have a cold, the doctor tells you to “get some rest.” As you prepare for a big race, [...]
A Foot Fracture That Wasn’t »
This is an interesting case of a triathlete who was ramping up his training for a half-ironman competition and developed a tenderness that was felt on the top of his foot. He had seen his physician, who made a preliminary diagnosis of a stress fracture, and had sent the patient for a bone scan. The [...]
Exercise Induced Asthma »
1. What is it? Exercise induced asthma (EIA) is irritation and swelling of the airways along with production of mucus triggered by exercise, especially aerobic exercise. 2. What are the symptoms? Symptoms can include any and all of the following: fatigue, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, tightness in the chest and chest pain. The symptoms [...]
To Stretch, or Not to Stretch … That Is the Question »
We all know to do our stretches, right? I mean, we struggle to find time to do them, we don’t really want to do them, but we know we should do them … right? Well, maybe not. At least that’s what the recent research is pointing to for the sports included in triathlon. Before we [...]
Sports Injuries Revisited »
Most runners at some point in their training will be affected by an injury. Injuries can range from mild to severe. Some require no time off of training, and some may require you to stop running completely. Many athletic injuries are preventable and treatable. A basic understanding of the causes of injuries can help to [...]
Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain Syndrome) »
1. What is it? The plantar fascia is a band of fibrous tissue at the bottom of the foot extending from the heel to the ball of the foot. This structure plays a major role in supporting the arch and preventing the foot from collapsing under the weight of the body. When this structure is [...]
Ignore the New Rules of Stretching at Your Own Peril »
Most experts agree on why you should stretch: 1. Stretching enhances muscle flexibility, 2. increase’s the body’s range of motion, 3. and can alleviate muscle stiffness. But, as far as most athletes are concerned (that’s you!), the most important thing about stretching is that the three reasons listed above combine to help you a) perform [...]
DNF »
There are thousands of anxiety-riddled runners this month signed up for a marathon. Hundreds of them will not make it, to the start or to the finish. Some will become sick and say, “That’s it.” Some will be overwhelmed by conditions or personal turmoil and decide, “There’s just no way.” Still others will limp to [...]
The Case of the Mysterious Hip Injury »
This is a case where I treated an experienced marathoner for an injury, and despite the treatment and modifying his training regimen, he did not get better. The patient, who was training for a marathon, presented with pain in the front of the thigh and groin area. A diagnosis of mild hip flexor muscle strain [...]
The Story of My Calves »
It’s time to set the time machine back about 23 years. I had been fighting off a lower-body injury, which forced me to train almost exclusively on an exercise bike. No big deal to those of us accustomed to injuries, but extremely boring, and as I later found out, a contributor to a running injury. [...]
Overtraining: Obvious or Insidious »
Flat and tired. These are two things you don’t want to feel going into a race, but more likely than not, you’ve been there and wondered why this happens. The most likely culprit is overtraining, and I’d like to share some personal experiences I’ve had regarding this frustrating phenomenon. Most runners feel bitterly disappointed when [...]
Stressed About Stress Fractures »
1.What exactly is a stress fracture? A stress fracture occurs where there is an inability of the bones’ intrinsic repair process to keep up with the stresses applied to it over time. Ultimately, this leads to a break or fracture in the bone. In short, it results from an abnormally high stress placed on normal [...]
OPQRST ? »
Dr. Miller has some great advice on preparation for going to see the doctor about your injury
Dr. Miller on Winter Running »
We just got our first real snowfall yesterday, so Dr. Miller’s advice seems that much more relevant. Check out what he has to say here
Dr. Miller on Orthodics »
Part of of a series discussing running related pronation, supination and orthodics.
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