The Baltimore Marathon is happening this weekend, October 15, 2011! Up to 5000 course participants of all ages will be running in this event. With so much variety in age and skill level foot and ankle injuries do occur. At Frederick Foot and Ankle Specialists with typically see marathon injuries before, during and after the marathon. 26.2 miles can take a real toll on the body. It is ultimately up to you to listen to your body and know your limitations.

The foot injuries that are commonly seen throughout the course of marathon training and the event itself are: plantar fasciitis, sesamoiditis (inflammation under big toe), shin splints, Achilles Tendonitis, stress fractures. At our offices located in Frederick and Urbana, MD we can help treat these common injuries before they get to severe. We wouldn’t want you to not be able to run the event that you have been training for so long for!

You hear more and more celebrities completing marathons such as: Will Ferrell, Katie Holmes, and Shia LaBeouf. They make it seem easy to training for it and complete it. First things first, the ultimate goal of competing in a marathon is admirable, but also takes dedication. You simply cannot grab a pair of only running shoes, get your running attire on, and simply brisk your way through the marathon. That’s how we are seeing more patients with marathon-related injuries than ever before. Everyone’s feet are different so when following a group or common marathon training keep in mind your feet and listen to your body. You can always come talk to Dr. Steinberg, Dr. Yanes, and Dr. Ho before any training occurs! Remember, it’s easier to prevent treatment than treat them.

Let us advise you when you are picking out new shoes to start training, we can even provide foot orthotics to help with the sudden increase of physical activity. Some times having the proper fitting shoe and right pair of socks can prevent blisters, sprain ankles and even stress fractures.  If you happen to get hurt while training, don’t run through the pain. Stop by our offices and we’ll provide the necessary services to examine the problem and treat it.

As always check your feet daily and stop by! It can help avoid future health problems!

To those running the marathon this weekend, GOOD LUCK!  

Some of you might be asking this very question. Truth is—it’s hard for any expert to give a straight answer. There just simply isn’t enough evidence to sway the needle towards any direction. First of all, if you are experiencing any pain or discomfort while running please visit Dr. Yanes or Dr. Steinberg at Fredrick Foot and Ankle Specialists at one of our locations in either Frederick or Urbana, MD.

Dr. Warden, who recently spoke at a symposium of the American College of Sports and Medicine, said that barefoot running could increase and decrease skeletal injury-risk. Books such as, Born to Run by Christopher McDougall, has increased national interest. Celebrities such as, Matthew McConaughey and Jake Gyllenhaal, have joined the trend and have gone on recorded and have stated that they run barefoot with the Minimalist shoes. However, with this increase in interest there is a false belief that barefoot runners never get injured.

How is that possible? Humans evolved to be able to run barefoot. Remember, the shoe was created after the (bare) foot. Right? Well, most Americans grow up with shoes on their feet nearly their entire life. Shoes alter your stride. A recent study, published in The Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, has shown that if you put young children in shoes they have longer strides and have more force landing on the heels (rather than the ball of your foot). Shoes allow us to place more force on our heels and the shoes, themselves, displaces the force. As you can imagine, if you simply start to run without shoes you could easily injury yourself, especially your heels.

On the contrary, Dr. Lieberman researched the effects of Kenyan children who grew up barefoot running. The results are astonishing showing that the force of impact is much less on the body, helping decrease wear and tear. However, this might only be true if you have not worn shoes your whole life. Our mind and body clings to what we habitually know. If we have worn shoes all our life then you will not attain proper barefoot running form, thus you could injury yourself.

If you aren’t getting any running-related injuries, why change? If you have runner’s injuries come see our doctors for appropriate treatments. If you are interested in barefoot come visit so we can create and monitor a running program to ease you into barefoot running.

By: Dr. Yenisey Yanes