Member Case Study: It seems I have hurt the ligaments on the outside soles of both feet.

author : AMSSM
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Thinking I was ready, I pushed myself on race day and finished in 2:09:24, which for me is a big hurrah.

Question by mbeckart

Here's a question related to shoes... I recently ran my first half marathon. I was running up to two hours slowly till the week before the race. Thinking I was ready, I pushed myself on race day and finished in 2:09:24, which for me is a big hurrah. However, it seems I have hurt the ligaments on the outside soles of both feet.

 

I went to a store this summer that watched me walk (but not with cameras or treadmills) and recommended my shoes. They were great before the race, but now I feel pressure on the injured area when I put them on. Do you think I could have the wrong shoes? How can I prevent this from happening again? I hate taking the time off running.

Answer

You should be examined by a sports medicine doctor to make a definitive diagnosis. You may simply have done too much during the race---if you bumped up your pace during the race, you probably strained tissues that were not adapted to the stresses of a faster pace. However, you may have a problem (such as a stress fracture) that requires more thorough evaluation.

If the doctor finds that the shoes are to blame, you can follow these tips:

 

Change your shoes every 300-500 miles, or consider keeping two pairs of shoes—a training shoe worn for most workouts and a “new” shoe worn once a week or every other week. When there is a noticeable difference in the support between the shoes, the “new” shoe becomes the training shoe and the training shoe becomes the painting shoe.

A real “new” pair of shoes can be broken in this way while at the same time being compared to the training shoe.

And remember, when you have a running related injury is the time to get on the bike or in the pool to continue training without pounding your feet!

 

William O Roberts MD
AMSSM Member
Department of Family Medicine and Community Health
University of Minnesota Medical School

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date: October 30, 2005

AMSSM

The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) was formed in 1991 to fill a void that has existed in sports medicine from its earliest beginnings. The founders most recognized and expert sports medicine specialists realized that while there are several physician organizations which support sports medicine, there has not been a forum specific for primary care non-surgical sports medicine physicians.

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avatarAMSSM

The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) was formed in 1991 to fill a void that has existed in sports medicine from its earliest beginnings. The founders most recognized and expert sports medicine specialists realized that while there are several physician organizations which support sports medicine, there has not been a forum specific for primary care non-surgical sports medicine physicians.

FIND A SPORTS MEDICINE DOCTOR

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