Look for The Cooper River Bridge run Training schedule and running tips at carolinafootspecialists.net

As you train for the upcoming bridge run it is essential to know what foot type that you have and how to choose the proper running shoe. Classification of arch types generally fall into three categories. 1) Normal arch 2) High arch 3) Low arch. Advances in running shoe technology allows matching your specific foot type with the proper running shoe.
(Overpronators) foot types leave a flat foot impression on wet sand. Common injuries for flattened arches from improperly fitted running shoes are heel pain, arch pain, and knee pain. Overpronators need motion control running shoes.
At the other extreme are people with "high arch feet". These feet are very tight-jointed and do not yield enough upon impact. Rigid feet leave only the toes, balls of the feet, and heel impression in wet sand. Improperly fitted running shoes for rigid feet tend to wear unevenly on the outside of the shoe. Common rigid foot running injuries are stress fractures, ball of the foot pain, and shin splints. To help avoid these injuries, these people need cushioned control running shoes.
Laslty, the third type, or normal foot, falls somewhere between the overpronator and rigid foot type. This type of foot can use any running shoe that is stable and properly cushioned.
Visit your local specialty running shoes to get you ready for the upcoming Cooper River Bridge Run.

Plantar fasciitis is the most common foot injury that we see in our practice. 95% of the time we can resolve plantar fasciitis with conservative treatment. We will be reviewing various running injuries and treatments over the next several months as you prepare for the Cooper River Bridge run. We would like to focus this blog on two minimally invasive state of the art procedures that have quicker recovery times and excellent results. These produres are excellent options if you have suffered with plantar fasciitis that hasn't improved with various conservative treatments
1) Extra Corporeal Sound Wave Treatment (ESWT): This procedure can be performed in the offfice under local anesthesia and takes 20 minutes. This technology originally known as Lithotripsy, was used to break up kidney stones. Sound waves utilize a high intensity sonic pulse which is focused on the heel. It is believed that micro-trauma will repair and increase blood supply to the plantar fascia. ESWT is thought to break up scarring and allow the body to regenerate new and improved tissue to the area.The procedure is noninvasive with no cutting of the skin, patients can walk home in sneakers after the procedure. The day after the procedure patients are able to resume normal activities.
2) Topaz Procedure: This procedure uses Bipolar radiofrequency which is quick, simple, and minimally invavsive. Numerous small 5mm punture holes are placed in the area of maximal tenderness in the heel in a grid like fashion. Microtenotomy of the plantar fascia is performed by placing a Topaz wand through the small puncture holes and radiofrequency is applied. No sutures are needed. Steri strips (medical band-aids) are placed on the puncture sites with a small dressing. Patients wear a boot for two weeks and then transition back into a sneaker. Patients are typically back to full activities at 4-6 weeks.
For more information on plantar fasciits please refer to our website:
carolinafootspecialists.net

Happy New Year!
If you are training for the upcoming brige run 2011 in Charleston, SC please look out for our foot injury prevention series blogs over the next couple of months. We will be reviewing common foot injuries relating to running and offer suggestions to keep you on your feet so you can reach the finish line in April. We have had lots of positive feedback with our foot injury prevention series last year in preparation for the Bridge run 2010.
Carolinafootspecialists.net

Spring is in the air and the Cooper River Bridge run is three weeks away. If you are training for the bridge run and are experiencing discomfort on the ball of your feet you may have a Neuroma. The combination of wearing narrow, pointed-toed shoes at work and the pounding of that your feet endure from running on hard surfaces can cause a neuroma, a painful nerve disorder of the feet. It can be a stressful combination for your feet.
Active women who enjoy running, especially those with flat feet, are prone to develop neuromas. A nerve located between the toes becomes enlarged and inflamed and produces tingling, burning pain.
Neuromas enlarge as the condition progresses, causing pain and numbness to a consistent area at the base of the toes. Patients often complain it feels as if something is stuck inside the ball of the foot. The symptoms may go away temporarily by massaging the foot, wearing wider shoes with low heels, and tapering your running and other activities that aggravate the condition.
Symptoms become more intense as the nerve enlarges and the temporary damage becomes permanent, so it's best to seek treatment if discomfort persists for more than a few days.
Neuromas can develop in different areas of the foot. The most common occurrence is called Morton's neuroma, which develops at the base of the third and fourth toes. Thickening and swelling of the nerve usually is caused by compression and irritation from wearing very narrow shoes or high heels that crunch the toes in the front of the shoe. A neuroma can be detectable with an ultrasound examination , but the diagnosis is typically based on symptoms and a physical examination to palpate the nerve or a maneuver that elicits an audible click.
Treatment options for Morton's neuroma depend on how far the condition has progressed. At early stages, padding (Metatatarsal pad) lessens pressure on the nerve, icing reduces swelling, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications and cortisone injections decrease pain and inflammation, and over the counter or custom orthotic devices provide support to reduce compression. If you are training for the bridge run it may help to run on softer surfaces such as grass or dirt trails until the condition improves.
In severe cases, surgery might be the best option to provide relief.