Doc On The Run Podcast

How can you work with injured runners all day?

03 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I was just invited to give a lecture at the International Foot & Ankle Foundation’s 42nd Seattle Seminar. I was asked to give a lecture entitled “...

Letting go of your Identity as an Injured Runner with Toni Kengor

26 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Your identity as a runner is crucial to your running goals. You cannot run a four hour marathon if you cannot imagine it, cannot visualize it and cann...

Surviving Sesamoiditis and getting back to marathon training

20 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sesamoid injuries can be serious and can keep injured runners running. Sesamoids are small fragile bones and if they become inflamed and turn into a s...

How to assess reviews of new running gear with Jonathan Ellsworth

02 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today on the Doc On The Run Podcast we are talking with Jonathan Ellsworth, founder and Editor in Chief at Blister AND host of the Off The Couch Podca...

Melody Dowlearn on trail running recovery and ultra injury prevention

01 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ultra-marathon by definition means running lots of miles on trails. That's a lot of opportunity to get injured! One of the best parts of running is so...

Change plans and shift gears with Coaches on Couches

22 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sooner or later, all of us will have to deal with some uncertainty and adversity in making it to the finish line. Right now, obviously there's a lot o...

Martha Runs the World on Hip Arthritis

19 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Arthritis of any type can cause a lot of pain when you run. The word “arthritis” really and truly just means inflammation within a joint. There ar...

Intention Setting in Recovery When Plans Go Sideways with Jonathan Flores

17 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Find your why. Write it down. Just live towards that. Jonathan Flores is the host of the Run With Purpose Podcast. He is also a runner who set out to ...

Get after it, run fast, recover faster with Carrie Tollefson

09 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Carrie Tollefson is by any standard and elite runner. Olympian. 13-time State Champion. National record holder for the most consecutive cross-country ...

Recovery For The Long Run with Jonathan Levitt

07 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today on the Doc On The Run Podcast we are talking with Jonathan Levitt about the strategies he uses to recover quickly after hard training blocks, or...

Kim Conley on the Olympics, Half-Marathon Championships and Rapid Recovery Strategies for Runners

03 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Kim Conley: 2-time Olympic athlete and middle and long distance track star. Part of what I find so inspiring about Kim is the way in which she has pul...

Ultra Injury Prevention with Running Stupid host Ken Michal

24 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

If you want to complete an ultramarathon, you will have to put in lots of training. One of the big keys to successfully training for an ultra-marathon...

Ultra-Recovery with Lucy Bartholomew

16 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Lucy Bartholomew went from running with her dad at age 15 to finishing on the top of the podium at some biggest ultras around the globe, all while...

3 Ways Runners Can Avoid the Coronacloud

10 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When I was running yesterday, we were noticing a couple of things that may put people at risk. And so, I was thinking about three simple ways you can ...

Are you motivated enough to recover

02 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The biggest difference in speed of recovery is motivation. Your motivation leads to the actions required to heal and recover as quickly as possible. H...

Stress reduction is critical during coronavirus lockdown downtime for runners

25 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I listen to lots of podcasts and I recently have heard lots of other speakers in all genres talking about how important it is to stay healthy and avoi...

Top 3 Coronavirus mistakes for runners

18 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Right now all of us are inundated with rapidly changing circumstances and a wide variety of news stories about the coronavirus. With all of the uncert...

Coronavirus lockdown unless you are a runner

14 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Yesterday I was looking at the latest news story about the coronavirus lockdown in Italy. Strict lockdown.  Don't go out of your house.  Government ...

How oxidative stress slows running injury recovery

06 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I was on stage at the International Foot & Ankle Meeting in Lake Tahoe this weekend and was giving a presentation designed to help doctors underst...

Should a runner take steroids for chronic tendinitis?

27 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Any diagnosis ending in “-itis” means inflammation. If you have inflammation in the tendons, a short course of oral corticosteroids will help to ...

Top 10 Reasons injured runners procrastinate

21 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

An over training injury is one of the worst possible things that can happen to a runner. You've been working toward a goal, hard, making sacrifices an...

Ironman taught me about running injuries

13 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Ironman triathlon is widely considered to be one of the worlds most grueling single day athletic events. 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and a f...

3 causes of sinus tarsi syndrome in runners

08 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

If you are a runner and you have a weird aching pain, and you’re not really even sure if it's in your foot or your ankle you may have a condition ca...

Best decision and worst actions for injured runners

30 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The best decision is the decision to take the right action. The second best decision is to take the wrong action. And the worst decision of all if you...

Cortizone injections for sesamoiditis in runners

23 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Just today I got an interesting question from Victoria, who has been suffering with a bad case of sesamoiditis which has been keeping her from running...

Wishful thinking can kill recovery from a running injury

15 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Just today I was talking to a runner who has an injury and although this injury has gone on for a long time, I thought that she would know exactly whe...

Indecision prevents running injury recovery

11 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The single most important thing you can do when you think you have a running injury is to make a decision, quickly. You only have two choices. 1. Real...

Ankle brace vs air cast after ankle fracture

09 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

I got an interesting question sent in from a runner, who said… I fractured my left ankle. I have been in an Aircast ever since. So, should I continu...

When is surgery better for metatarsal fracture in a runner?

03 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

No treatment is best for every runner. Not even metatarsal fracture surgery.  Your task as an injured runner who wants to run is to figure why a trea...

Everything in medicine is bad for runners

01 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Doctors sometimes prescribe treatments than can be bad for runners.  If wear a fracture walking boot, your muscles get weaker, your tendons and ligam...

Runners need Aggressive Healing

30 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Most runners are aggressive by nature. Planning, training, eating, analyzing, reaching for goals in way that your friends may label…“obsessed.” ...

Are crutches bad for injured runners?

28 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I just had a consultation with an injured runner who asked… “Are crutches bad for injured runners?” The correct answer is yes, crutches are bad ...

My toenail hurts when I run

26 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I just had a consultation with a woman who has been having pain in the toes and the end of the big toenails just after running. The pain in the big to...

Injured Runners must Learn or Earn to Recover

24 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Every runner who is injured and has been told to stop running wants to get back to running as quickly as possible.  We all want a secret path to heal...

Can I run with shin splints?

21 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Today a runner asked a great question…”Can I run with shin splints?” The short answer is yes, you can run on shin splints for a short period of ...

Do I need a surgery second opinion as an injured runner

20 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Today I heard a great question from a runner… She asked, “A doctor told me that I have a neuroma in my foot and I need to have surgery to remove i...

Will a bone stimulator help sesamoiditis?

16 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Do bone stimulators help with sesamoiditis? Will  a bone stimulator help the sesamoids, if the bone is not fractured?  Is there clinical evidence th...

Minimalist running shoes do not cause stress fractures

13 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I was just on a consultation call with the runner who got a metatarsal stress fracture after a long run in minimalist running shoes. The question aske...

Do I have to stop running to rest a metatarsal stress fracture

11 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Do I have to stop running to rest a metatarsal stress fracture? Let’s imagine 10 rowers in a boat. If one rower gets tired or injured, does the boat...

If you are injured and want to run define your goal

09 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

You cannot plan a trip without a destination.   And you cannot expect to heal as fast as possible if you do not have a clear goal and a defined timel...

Long term effects of ankle sprains in runners

06 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Today's question comes from Diane who was listening to the podcast and wrote in because she wanted to know more about the long-term effects of ankle s...

Bulge in metatarsal bone stress fracture on x-ray

04 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A runner with a stress fracture just called me for a phone consultation. He was concerned because he got an X-ray and saw a bulge in the bone. The que...

Plantar Plate Sprain vs. Tear vs. Rupture in a Runner

02 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

If you're a runner who has had aching pain in the ball of the foot you may have been diagnosed with a plantar plate sprain or a plantar plate tear. Or...

#265 Should I run when I am sick

27 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It’s cold and flu season and one question that comes up this time of year is, "Should I run when I am sick?"  The obvious concern is that if you ha...

Focus on what you can do today to recover

21 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When you are sick or injured, you may feel like you are helpless.  You think you can’t run. You think you can’t build your running body.  You th...

 5 overtraining indicators that precede running injury

18 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Many runners seem to be surprised when they get an overtraining injury. However, once we start talking about the injury, they almost always know somet...

#262 Eat like you are racing and recover like a champion

15 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Every time you go out for a run you deliberately damage the muscles, tendons, bones and ligaments just enough to stimulate healing response that makes...

#260 The best diet for runners is consistency

13 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

If you are runner trying to get down to your race weight, you may be considering a new diet. If you are a runner trying to build more muscle, or build...

Angry about lost time from running in a fracture boot

11 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Fracture walking boots are over-prescribed and often worn for way too long by many injured runners. Nobody who's a runner wants to be injured or wants...

4 Risky times for running injuries

10 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Running injuries are not random.  Over training injuries are actually very predictable. Runners get injured as a result of too much stress, applied a...

How endurance leads to marathon failure

08 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Endurance athletes are uniquely prone to self-sabotage.  Ironically the destruction rises out of the very skill that lends us the strength to finish ...

One critical mistake runners make when flying to a race

05 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Destination races hold a lot of appeal. Awe inspiring scenery. Amazing cultural experiences. Fast, flat courses. We spend countless hours and signific...

4 Trends injured runners should track

01 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Every runner in training tracks progress to monitor for improvement.  Heart rate, wattage, mileage, pace, and perceived exertion are all commonly tra...

#255 3 Torn plantar plate treatment options

30 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A torn plantar plate can be one of the most frustrating injuries for a runner. A runner who has been following many of the suggestions regarding ways ...

#254 Difference in healing time of old fracture vs recent fracture

28 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A runner and a listener to the podcast recently sent in a question regarding how long it takes to heal an old fracture versus a new fracture. There ar...

#253 What is the standard routine for a partial tear of the plantar fascia?

25 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I recently got  a question from a runner with a partial tear of the plantar fascia who asked, "I am struggling with a partial tear - going on 6 month...

#252 How long to heal stress reaction vs stress fracture in a runner

23 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Is there a difference in healing time when there is a crack in the bone visible on x-ray, compared to when a runner has a “stress fracture” with n...

#251 Sesamoid stress fracture surgery in runners

21 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Today on the Doc On The Run Podcast, we're talking about surgery for a sesamoid stress fracture in runners. If you're a runner and you start having pa...

#250 Does running increase or decrease oxidative stress?

18 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Oxidative stress is something that normally occurs in all runners. But we know free radicals and the consequences of an imbalance of oxidative stresso...

#249 Execute your healing plan with the same tenacity you execute a training plan

16 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When you decide to sign up for a race, you start training.  You follow a specific plan that you know will get you stronger and stronger, day-by-day. ...

#248 Every step is a Win when recovering from running injury

14 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

If you're a runner and you get injured, you're certainly going to be bummed out, and it is really, really easy to get frustrated. In my experience whe...

#247 Which stress fractures are low risk in runners?

11 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Stress fractures are a common overtraining injury in runners. But if you want to run on a stress fracture, you better be sure that choice is not going...

#246 What makes a stress fracture high risk for a runner?

09 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

If you get a stress fracture your first question is probably whether not you can just keep running. Before you can answer that question, you have to f...

#245 Is it risky to keep running with shin splints?

07 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Shin splints are a common overtraining injury among runners. That aching pain in the front of the leg can be really annoying. Some common questions fr...

#244 There is no shame in a running injury unless you make it shameful

04 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It is widely accepted among athletes that our mindset, visualizing a specific outcome and working toward that specific outcome are all interconnected....

#243 Do I need a fracture boot for a tibial stress fracture?

02 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Shin splints are common among runners your ramping up their mileage. Unfortunately, stress fractures are also common. If you have an aching pain in th...

#242 Why did my doctor NOT have the right answer?

30 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

One time I saw a guy who actually flew all the way from New York to San Francisco to see me.  He had seen a bunch of doctors, he'd seen very qualifie...

#241 When a runner should and shouldn't do the hop test for a stress fracture

27 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I was recently lecturing at The International Foot & Ankle Foundation's annual scientific meeting in Las Vegas, and that conference is all for podiatr...

#240 How doctors classify stress fractures in runners

25 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Some of those stress fracture classification systems use MRI, some use CT scans and some use X-rays to try to determine how bad your injury happens to...

#239 When can I run with stitches?

23 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

If you have an accident and cut the front of your leg open, you may have to have stitches to sew the skin back together. Of course, most doctors will ...

#238 Can I run my race with an ingrown toenail?

20 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ingrown toenails can be painful. Particularly if you're getting ready to run a marathon or some other goal race. I recently got a call from a runner w...

#237 Top 3 clues of a plantar fascia rupture in a runner

18 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Plantar fasciitis is by far the most common cause of arch pain in runners.  Not surprisingly, most runners who get heel pain or arch pain think they ...

#236 Should I just try a more aggressive treatment for my Achilles tendon?

16 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Today was on a consultation call with a runner who is had a long history of Achilles tendon problems.  She's recently tried some new things that made...

#235 How Can I Get from Custom Orthotics to Minimalist Running Shoes

13 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Some runners become concerned that if they run in custom orthotics they may become weaker and unable to run without the custom orthotics working as a ...

#234 Perils of Rapid Success with Champion High Jumper Julia Curran

11 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Running injuries only happen in two scenarios: 1. We do something stupid. We do something we know that was foolhardy and we shouldn't have done it. 2....

#233 Failure to trust causes running injuries

09 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

All overtraining injuries are the result of too much tissue damage, without enough recovery to fully heal, before the next workout “causes” a runn...

#232 Most runners lack the discipline required for minimalist running shoes

06 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

No one trains for long distance events, nor successfully completes a long distance event without a great deal of discipline. Most experienced runners ...

#231 Can I run after total joint replacement surgery with the BionicRunner

04 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When a runner’s joint wears out, one option is to remove the damaged cartilage and replace the joint through artificial joint surgery. The problem i...

#230 Why runners with high arches need cushioning running shoes

02 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Most runners wear running shoes when they run. And the type of shoes you choose can help protect you from the forces of running. If you have high arch...

#229 Why fleet feet need motion control running shoes

31 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

If the running shoes are perfect for you, they will help provide support and cushioning to protect you from the pounding forces of running.In theory, ...

#228 Running injures are optional with RunRx

29 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Very few things are worse to a runner than a running injury. When you run, pain is mandatory, but running injuries are optional. If you have eve...

#227 Find the value in exercising with pain

28 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Every cloud has a silver lining. If you're injured right now, you need to look for the value in the discomfort right in front of you.  If you have pa...

#226 Grey areas are really slowing you down

25 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

“All in moderation.” I'm not sure who said that, but it definitely was not an endurance athlete.  Unfortunately the idea of training in moderatio...

#225 Mark Allen 6-Time Ironman World Champion on Preventing Overtraining Injury

24 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

"If you’re not training, you’re not getting more fit." - Mark Allen The very best way to lose all of your running fitness is to get injured and be...

#224 Can low aerobic fitness cause a running injury?

21 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A runner who was listening to the Doc On The Run Podcast asked about the association between low aerobic fitness and running injuries. Any runner wh...

#223 What runners can learn from ballet dancers

19 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Runners want to run. Ballet dancers want to dance.  But runners just run. Ballet dancers, don’t just dance.  Ballet dancers practice the basic mom...

#222 What if I run and my broken toe does not heal?

17 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I just got off a call with a runner who broke his little toe and he is trying to get back to running. Pain when running is one signal that you are dis...

#221 The 2 rules from Warren Buffet that can help injured runners.

14 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When you get injured, you can lose ground very, very fast. You don't have to lose all of your fitness just because you're in the recovery process.  D...

#220 Weakness causes running injuries

12 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

“Weakness causes running injuries.”  If you're a runner who has been injured, you probably feel that's a little bit like rubbing salt in the woun...

#219 Worn out running shoes cause running injury

09 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Why do you wear running shoes? Running shoes are supposed to cushion when you land.  Running shoes are supposed to prevent some of the damaging force...

#218 Races do not cause running injuries

07 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Races really don't injure runners. Any runner who gets injured in a race really did the damage long before the actual running event. During the buil...

#217 Do not look for a cure through a clouded lens

05 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

I believe in research. I am absolutely convinced that if the study or clinical trial shows a high likelihood you will have an adverse event like a hea...

#216 The 8 places where runners foot fungus lives in your home

02 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Toenail fungus is gross!  And believe it or not, toenail fungus, the stuff that causes athlete's foot, it's all the same, and it lives in your home. ...

#215 Plantar Fasciitis First Aid for Runners

31 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When plantar fasciitis first starts, doctors call that an “acute case” of plantar fasciitis. Acute plantar fasciitis (which just started) should b...

#214 Will I run again after broken metatarsal surgery

29 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

If you run and ignore that aching pain in your foot it could be a metatarsal stress fracture. If you're strong as an ox and half as smart and you keep...

#213 Can I run with this injury?  No. Maybe. or Probably.

26 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Most of the time when runners go to the doctor with a running injury, the doctor tells you to quit running. The doctor is simply trying to pick the si...

#212 What is a displaced vs non displaced fracture?

24 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

If you a runner in training and you break one of your toes, or snap a metatarsal bone, you may worry about hoe long you need to stop running.  When y...

#211 MRI or CT scan of my foot which is better for a runner

22 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Yesterday I was talking to a runner who had an ankle sprain that didn't improve. After about a year of not be able to run, having pain when walking an...

#210 The Number 1 Mistake runners make in the first week of a running injury

19 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Anytime you make a mistake in training, push a little too hard and get injured, you have pain.  That pain creates an urgent need for answers. Specifi...

#209 How to tell a bruise under the toenail from toenail fungus

17 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Runners often get dark discoloration in the toenails. That discoloring can happen after long runs, trail runs, wearing ill-fitting running shoes or tr...