Doc On The Run Podcast

Best way to avoid 2nd tear in the plantar fascia

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you have a tear in the plantar fascia, you probably know what a frustrating injury it can be. If you think it's better, and you're going to start r...

Most ignored part of a gout diet for runners

15 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If your doctor said you have gout, you might have heard about a gout specific diet.  A gout diet is not a specific diet in terms of a plan. It's avoi...

Partial credit vs pass or fail with running injuries

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Don't ever forget that when you get a running injury, the goal is not to heal the injury. The goal is to get back to running.  If you heal the injury...

Add stress systematically after running injury (DAY 3)

11 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Why would you want to add stress?  We're not talking about psychological stress. We're not talking about the stress of a screaming baby or a boss yel...

Is it a big deal if I run with a partially torn plantar fascia?

08 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the problems with the plantar fascia is that you may think you have plantar fasciitis, but eventually you find out that it was not really fasci...

Every run is test run after healing an injury (DAY 2)

06 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When you have a running injury and you know what your goal is you are halfway there. But if you're trying to get back to running, you've really got to...

How can gout lead to hallux rigidus?

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the problems with being a runner is that you have a higher pain threshold.  If you have a minor attack of gout, it may not bother you as much ...

Find the gaps between you and running (DAY 1)

01 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A runner called me to follow up and asked: "I've been doing the routine that we discussed during our first call and I've got no pain, I’ve got no te...

When does a pregnant runner need orthotics?

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Your doctor might recommend custom orthotics if you're an athlete, and you happen to be pregnant.  When you get pregnant, you have lots of hormones g...

How to use Yasso 800s to test marathon readiness after injury

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're talking about the Yasso 800's developed by a guy named Bart Yasso.  I was lucky enough to meet him after he gave a talk before the Salt L...

Can my doctor tell if I need peroneal tendon surgery by looking at my ankle?

24 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode comes from one of the YouTube viewers who was watching a video called "Can I run with a split peroneal tendon?" I was trying to explai...

How big toe position can help sesamoid stress fracture or bipartite sprain

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode comes from a consultation call on webcam with a runner with a sesamoid stress fracture.  Interestingly, his doctor wasn't even sure what...

Injured 5 weeks out from half marathon. Is there hope?

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode comes from Benda, who was watching a video called "12 steps to healing and running with a metatarsal stress fracture" on the Doc On Th...

What does a fracture walking boot do?

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I recently got a comment from Michael on a video on the Doc On The Run YouTube channel which was about how fracture walking boots are one of the worst...

Difference between a sesamoid fracture non-union and bi-partite sesamoid sprain

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I recently got a great question from someone who was watching one of the videos on sesamoid fractures. Underneath the big toe joint, you have two litt...

The #1 question for a runner with a second stress fracture

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Stress fractures are the most common overtraining injury I treat in runners.  If you're a runner with a stress fracture, your first question is proba...

When should I give in and have plantar plate surgery?

10 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you are a runner struggling with a plantar plate sprain, it is probably going to be extremely frustrating trying to get it to heal so you can get b...

Reduce your risk of the #1 most common injury by 35%?

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Just last week, I was giving a lecture at the International Foot and Ankle Foundation meeting in Hawaii. The lecture was on Conservative Management of...

What do injured runners do that makes as much a sense as picking at a healing skin incision?

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s podcast episode we're talking about fracture healing versus skin healing. This talk comes from a discussion I had at the International Fo...

How much earlier than X-ray can ultrasound prove fracture healing?

03 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you get a fracture of one of the metatarsal bones in your foot, you are not going to be able to run until it heals.  But as soon as it's healed, y...

What info would I give to a high school cross-country team?

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I was just lecturing at the International Foot and Ankle Foundation meeting in Hawaii. One of the podiatrists came up to me and asked me a question af...

What is a common cause of 5th metatarsal fracture in a trail runner?

30 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you're a trail runner or a marathon runner or an ultra-marathoner, well, the last thing you want to do is get a fracture.    If you break somet...

Can the toenail grow back if the root of the nail is removed by biopsy?

27 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bruised toenails are extremely common in runners. Many consider black and blue toenails a rite of passage when training for your first marathon.   ...

When can I start running after metatarsal fracture if no healing on the x-ray?

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you get a fracture of the metatarsal, you have to make sure that it's healed before you start running on it.  It doesn't matter if it's a stress f...

When should I start working out with a plantar plate sprain?

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Plantar plate injuries are one of the most difficult injuries for runners.  The reason is that they can take a long time to get better. Every time yo...

Is it risky to run with cuboid fracture?

20 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I was on a call with a marathoner who had a cuboid fracture. He was getting better, and he was trying to figure out how he could start running. The cu...

When can I run if my doctor says don’t run?

18 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I don't like it when I hear a doctor said, "Don't run."  What the doctor should say is, "Let's figure out how you can run."  And if you're injured, ...

How likely is a setback if I run while stress fracture heals?

16 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I got a great question from a runner who had a 4th metatarsal stress fracture while training for a marathon. He wanted to know how likely it was...

What can doctors do to relate to runners?

13 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode comes from the question-and-answer session at the International Foot & Ankle Foundation meeting in Las Vegas. I was lecturing on M...

Can I let runners run in an ankle brace after an ankle sprain?

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode comes from the question-and-answer period when I was lecturing at the International Foot & Ankle Foundation Medical Conference in ...

Workout while waiting to heal

09 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

All injured runners realize it's a problem. You're not working out when they get an overtraining injury. You're told to sit still. But the problem is ...

How to add miles and speed at lower risk if running after injury

06 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I just got a great question from a runner with a cuboid fracture. He signed up for four weekly coaching calls as he was returning to running.  He jus...

Can heel raises make insertional Achilles Tendinitis worse?

04 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I got a question on one of the Doc On The Run YouTube channel videos about insertional Achilles tendinitis. Kevin asked:   “For a few weeks, I ha...

Can Ultrasound have a false positive for fracture?

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When I see a runner who's had a sprain or a trip or a fall or something, the #1 concern is to make sure no bones are broken.  Most of the time, what ...

How does callus show healing on non-displaced fractures?

29 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode comes from a question on the Doc On The Run YouTube channel.  We were talking about how bone callus shows up as evidence of healing a...

Audit your stress level to avoid re-injury

27 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I was just on a webcam call with a runner who signed up for an initial consultation and then decided to get a few weeks of additional coaching where w...

Top 3 Mistakes Runners make with plantar fasciitis

25 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of foot pain that might keep you from running.  But some treatments that help "normal" patients may cause ...

Would collagen supplementation help an interstitial tear?

22 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode comes from Olivia who asked a question on the Doc On The Run YouTube channel:    “I believe I'm dealing with an interstitial tear...

What size compression socks should I buy?

20 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Compression socks are a useful tool when recovering from a running injury.  Just a little compression can gently squeeze all that inflammatory fluid ...

3 Signs runner has the wrong doctor

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you got injured, but you're trying to get back to running, one of the most important decisions you can make is which doctor you choose to see.  An...

Intractable dubious metatarsalgia diagnosis

15 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode comes from one of the Doc On The Run YouTube viewers.   Casey wrote in and he said,  “This year I suffered from this problem after...

What is the sinus tarsi?

13 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I get lots of questions about "sinus tarsi syndrome" in runners. It seems like most runners who call me don't even really know what it is.  The sinus...

Biggest danger with popping a broken toe back in place (avascular necrosis)

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I had a question on one of my YouTube videos in which I was trying to explain the procedure for broken toes called "closed reduction."  That's the fa...

Should a runner have surgery to shorten a long second metatarsal bone?

08 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode comes from a second opinion discussion with a runner suffering with a nagging plantar plate ligament injury.  She was considering sur...

Can I still run after I heal a fibular stress fracture?

06 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode comes from a question from one of the Doc On The Run YouTube channel viewers about fibular stress fractures.  There are only tow bone...

Fast & Easy vs. Fast & Cheap fracture imaging

04 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I was just speaking with a runner who scheduled a second opinion consultation. He asked, "what is the best way to tell if my foot is broken."  I said...

Bone bruise for 10 months still not running

01 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode comes from a comment on Doc On The Run YouTube channel.  Colin watched the video explaining: “Bone bruise vs stress reaction in a r...

You cannot run early without data

30 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I just had a conversation with a runner who signed up for one of the self-help courses. She booked a short call just to get a jumpstart, prioritize an...

Do bunions cause plantar plate sprain in runners?

28 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Perhaps the most nagging injury, and most difficult to deal with if you're a runner, is something called a "plantar plate sprain."  The plantar pla...

Is returning pain normal when running after a healed stress fracture?

25 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode comes from Janet ,who posted a comment and question on the Doc On The Run YouTube channel.    She said,    “I got a healed s...

Does a split peroneal tendon always require surgery in runners?

23 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The peroneal tendons help stabilize your foot. They're kind of your landing gear when you run. They keep you from wobbling or swaying out of control. ...

Maintaining running fitness while injured is a delicate dance

21 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode comes from a discussion I had with a runner who is only five weeks out from a marathon.    She has been injured and super-aware th...

3 basic steps to straighten a crooked broken toe

18 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There really are three basic steps that doctors use when you have a broken toe.    The medical term for this procedure is called "closed reduction...

Do I have to use crutches for a fibula stress fracture?

16 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the questions I get most often from runners with stress fractures is... "How can I get it to heal better? How do I get back to running faster?"...

Can MRI miss a plantar plate strain?

14 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Plantar plate injuries are very common, and they are extremely annoying.    I get lots of questions and comments both from the podcast and from th...

Single most effective but most neglected tool to run earlier after injury

11 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Almost all runners who call me for a consultation have one thing in common.   The number one thing they want to get out of their discussion with me...

Fibula stress reaction vs stress fracture what is the difference?

09 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you have ankle pain and you push around on that lump of bone on the outside of your ankle, you may realize that you have pain on the bone specifica...

What does an elephant, a woman in high heels and a forefoot runner have in common?

07 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This may seem like a strange episode, but I just had a conversation with a runner who is not just a forefoot runner, but she is really a forefoot runn...

4 main causes of lateral ankle pain in runners

04 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you've been running, training for a marathon or an ultra-marathon and you start to get pain on the outside of your ankle, you do have a reason to b...

Best imaging study for plantar plate injury in runners

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you have been told you have a plantar plate sprain, you're probably already really frustrated.  Even minor plantar plate tears can be nagging inju...

Best test for a runner with ankle sprain

31 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you're out on a run and you roll your ankle, you need to know how you can test the ankle to figure out what is wrong.   More importantly, what t...

Fracture that seemed like a plantar plate sprain

28 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are times when you might have a suspected stress fracture in your foot. If so, your doctor may order an X-ray.  There are other times when it's...

How to rule out soft tissue vs. bone injury

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you are running with foot or ankle pain, and you're trying to figure out what's wrong, the first step is deciding if it is a bone injury or  soft ...

Why does a Lister’s corn hurt when I run

24 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I recently did an episode where I was talking about Lister’s corns. If you missed it, a "Lister's corn" is really just a callus or thick skin that l...

How to tell soft tissue vs bone injury in a runner

21 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

All overtraining injuries are difficult.  The problem is that you're trying to not lose your running fitness while giving the injured part enough of ...

Was the plantar plate ligament injured before my MRI?

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I was recently doing a second opinion consultation with a runner over a webcam to review the MRI of his foot.    What we found was that he had wha...

Running injuries are like compounded interest in reverse

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Every runner who gets injured is in a race against time.   It is a race to not lose your running fitness.    You know you are going to get weaker...

When to worry an ankle sprain is a Lateral Process Fracture

14 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I just saw a runner who sprained her ankle.  It's been about a month and she's still having pain. Pain and swelling persisting a month later, are n...

Worst imaging study for plantar plate injury in runners

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you are a runner with pain in the ball of the foot at the base of the second toe and start researching online, you may become concerned you have a ...

My pinky toenail split in half

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Just this week, I got a call from an injured runner about a new problem. I've seen him before for some other issues, but in this case. He said that he...

When to add weight bearing exercise with stress reaction

07 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode comes from a YouTube viewer who posted a question,    “I have a low risk grade stress reaction in my posterior tibia. Interestin...

Could peroneal tendon pain really be a nerve problem?

05 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode comes from a YouTube viewer named John, who wrote in with a question about nerve pain vs. peroneal tendon pain.    He said ”I'm ...

Are “stress reaction” and “metatarsalgia” the same?

03 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's question comes from one of the YouTube viewers. Tasnim, wrote in and wanted to know whether or not "stress reaction" is the same terminology t...

Is there always bruising with a plantar fascia partial rupture in a runner?

30 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You're out on a run, and you suddenly start having extremely sharp heel pain. You think it's plantar fasciitis.  But when you look at your foot, you ...

Bedrest is like Chemo for Runners

28 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most powerful ways to reduce stress and strain on any piece of injured tissue is to get completely off of your feet.  Bedrest can do that....

It’s not plantar fasciitis if you call for a ride instead of finishing your run

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I was on a call with an injured runner who was told she had plantar fasciitis.    She was confused and she started doing some research. She ...

Doctors goal with fracture boot versus your goal with boot

23 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Risks of PRP vs Cortisone injections for Hallux Rigidus

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I was just on a call with a runner who has had this condition called "hallux rigidus."  and it's where your big toe joint starts to get stiff, become...

Running allergy and injury recovery

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever been to the doctor and heard this, “You must be allergic to running because you get injured every time you go running.”  A recoveri...

Top 5 reasons Runner’s Heel Pain doesn’t get better

16 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common conditions that affects runners. In fact, foot pain consistent with plantar fasciitis accounts for about 4...

Logical vs. Psychological barrier to healing running injuries

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I just had a discussion with a really interesting patient. He was a pro triathlete. He had some difficulty getting past a particular injury. We were t...

6 Stages of fracture healing in runners explained

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Every runner with a stress fracture wants to know "when can I run?"  How soon you can start running after a foot fracture really depends on when you ...

3 ways runners lose fitness after an ankle sprain

09 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The first thing any runner should do when you roll your ankle is protect the ankle from further injury. In fact, the algorithm doctors use to treat an...

3 Best signs heel pain is NOT plantar fasciitis

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are three key indications that tell me that somebody may not have plantar fasciitis, but probably have something else. If you think you have pla...

Does callus reduction decrease risk of plantar plate sprain?

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I got a specific question about a recent episode on calluses in runners.  The question was, “Well, if you have that pattern of callus, and reduce t...

Traumatic disappointment and delayed healing

02 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I was just on a call with an interesting elite athlete, and he's been injured.    He had one particular injury in his foot and then started having...

First step sit still and wait

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Yesterday I called a recovering runner, just to check in and see how he was doing, because he had done the Fast Track Challenge 2 months ago.    H...

3 Callus patterns show risk for Plantar Plate Sprain in runners

29 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you are a runner and you get pain in the ball of the foot, particularly at the base of the second toe right. It could be a plantar plate sprain.  ...

Most valuable stretches after a running injury

26 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Everybody's short on time. This is true for runners in training, but it's also true for injured runners.  If you're trying to make progress as fast a...

3 reasons for Cheilectomy failure after Hallux Rigidus surgery

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you have a condition called "hallux rigidus" or "hallux limitus," the name tells you what's wrong.  "Hallux" means big toe. "Rigidus" means the bi...

What is a tendon synovectomy surgery?

22 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Let's say you have a nagging tendon injury that's really been painful. It's been bugging you a lot when you run.  You have had persistent pain either...

Broken toes with an ankle sprain?

19 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Let's say you're out on a trail run, you roll your ankle and sprain it. So what do you do? You limp home, you get back to the car, you ice it, you tak...

Should I get a CT scan or test walking to see if fracture is healed?

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode comes from a discussion I just had yesterday with an athlete. He had a metatarsal fracture non-union. A "fracture non-union" can devel...

What is a bone callus in a metatarsal stress fracture

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When you get an injury to a bone like a metatarsal stress fracture, you can develop a thing called a "bone callus." You might even see it as a lump vi...

Can running on the road cause Achilles tendinitis in one leg and calf strain on the other?

12 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Achilles tendon injury on one leg and a calf muscle strain on the other leg?  Talk about a bummer: 2-for-the-price-of-1 overtraining injuries! Yes...

Foot pain that is truly a pain in the butt

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What would be worse than not being able to run because you had foot pain that didn't get better for a year or two? I know one thing that would be wors...

Methodical testing is the key to running after injury

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you just got injured, your number one goal is to not lose your running fitness as your running injury heals.    If you were diagnosed with a ru...

Scared of re-injury after trying to build strength

05 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This morning, I was on a call with a recovering runner who signed up for a series of coaching calls to get back to running after a long-standing injur...

After healing a stress fracture should I use Alter-G after I start running outside?

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Let's say you have been injured. You've been a good little patient. You waited around, you have done nothing. You have endured a frustrating period of...

Are you using a treadmill for returning to running after an injury?

01 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I was out on a run and I was thinking about treadmills versus running outside. To be fair, I was actually running outside during this run.   ...