Marathon Runners: Fend Off Foot and Ankle Injuries with a Podiatrist's Help!
As we head into October, marathon season is already in full swing. Yet, while running is a fantastic way to stay fit and healthy, it can also put a lot of stress on your feet and ankles. Marathons, after all, might be as “high impact” as high-impact sports get!
For the following blog, The Center for Podiatric Care and Sports Medicine will cover the most common injuries you’ll face running marathons, then switch to prevention strategies and treatment techniques.
3 Common Injuries + What You Can Do
Some estimates suggest that 79% of runners sustain an injury each year, and the majority of those involve the lower limb in some way.
Below, we’ve listed the aches you’ll encounter most often, including:
Plantar fasciitis: This condition is caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a ligament that runs along the bottom of the foot. It can inflict pain in the heel, especially when you get out of bed in the morning.
There are actually some simple exercises and stretches that can help you prevent plantar fasciitis altogether. We've also seen success via foot fat grafting for some stubborn cases.
Achilles tendonitis: This is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon, the tendon that connects your calf muscle to your heel bone. It can cause pain in the back of the heel and increase your odds of a tear or rupture.
Many of our patients find relief from this condition through Tenex treatments, which are noninvasive, highly effective, and faster than traditional options.
Stress fractures: These are small cracks in a bone that can be caused by overuse or by running on hard surfaces.
They’re serious and require medical attention, often in the form of surgical correction.
We hope you enjoy a successful marathon season! If you’re hurting, we’re always here.
At The Center for Podiatric Care and Sports Medicine, we offer busy New Yorkers prompt diagnosis and treatments specific to their individual needs. Our expert team of podiatrists, Dr. Jonathan M. Levy, Dr. Nadia F. Levy, Dr. Diane M. Castro, Dr. Josef Geldwert, and Dr. Katherine Lai, are eager to help you at our convenient mid-town Manhattan or Upper East Side locations. If foot problems are bogging you down, contact us today.
