Can I Run on a Stress Fracture?

Lots of good questions in my Grapevine, Texas office and on the website this week. It is definitely marathon time of year! Lots of aching feet and legs from erratic training and “too much, too soon, too fast syndrome”.My favorite is “I have XYZ Marathon in a few weeks, Can I run on a stress fracture?” This was actually asked three times in two days by a patient and once in an inquiring email on www.myrundoc.com

Of course, my answer was, “Really?.....” Ok, so you think you are a tough guy and can run through a stress fracture, but this is a very bad idea!

1. Hurts like hell!



2. Probably break it into many more pieces



3. Probably end up not running for months



4. May end up on my operating room table for pins, plates and/or screws!



5. Are you really that stupid???

Seriously? A stress fracture is a small crack in the bone that hasn’t fractured all the way through. Guess what happens when you run on it? It breaks all the way through!

So, if you are running in the Olympic marathon and think you are amazingly tough, then try it; but bottom line: NO! You can’t run on a stress fracture! If you try, you probably won’t be running for quite some time after that race, so it better be worth it!

Learning point: If you even think you may have a stress fracture, an x-ray is indicated pronto! Remember that they often do not show up on plain films for up to two weeks after the injury. The tip of my index finger is usually right! Give us a call and we can squeeze you in. The best part of having 5 doctors at Foot & Ankle Associates of North Texas in Grapevine, is that we can always find an emergency spot with one of our doctors!

Are Custom Orthotics Worth the Investment?

If you are a frequent visitor to Foot and Ankle Associates of North Texas in Grapevine, TX, you probably already know about orthotics. Maybe you have even purchased orthotics. A foot orthotic is an insole placed into the shoe that helps control foot position.

There are two main types of orthotics: Functional and accommodative. These can be prefabricated; like Lyncos that are popular at Healthy Steps or custom; which the doctor fabricates unique for your feet.

A functional orthotic controls foot movement and helps a person walk in a way that best supports joints and muscles. An accommodative orthotic helps distribute foot pressure evenly over the bottom of the foot. Most patients use a functional orthotic and usually these are custom for long term usage. A functional orthotic can be useful for many problems and are used to balance the biomechanics of your feet. Think of them as an in-shoe tire realignment for your feet. Accommodative orthotics are very useful to distribute stress in the elderly, diabetic and arthritic populations.

In the foot care aisle at your local drug store or grocery store, you may have seen readymade orthotics for sale. Does it really matter whether you buy store bought orthotics or custom orthotics from your podiatrist? Well, some people may be able to get away with wearing store bought orthotics for a period of time. We often even start our treatment plans with these type of prefabricated devices so we can get you on the road to better foot health immediately; but most patients do need custom for long term control of their foot type.

When you think about the long term health of your feet, custom orthotics are the way to go! Store bought orthotics are made to fit many foot problems for a large variety of people; one size fits all usually means one size doesn’t truly fit anyone! To be truly effective, an orthotic must be fitted for YOUR particular needs. Wearing an ill fitted orthotic is not only a waste of time, but it can also make your foot problems worse. Over time these problems can lead to leg, knee, hip, and even back problems. Store bought orthotics tend to not offer long lasting comfort. If you find yourself buying store bought orthotics every few months because of foot pain, it may be time to schedule an appointment to see one of the doctors at FAANT. Your podiatrist will produce orthotics that fit only YOUR feet. The materials used will be those that are best suited for your walking and running needs.

Everyone deserves special treatment! With a real custom orthotic that is exactly what you have. Yes, custom orthotics can be costly, but so can surgery from walking incorrectly over the years. I’m always amazed that many insurance companies will often not cover orthotics, but will pay for surgery! Doesn’t make any sense!! Think of the orthotics as an investment and an investment in your health is one of the best choices you can make for yourself.

Marine Corps Challenge!

This looks like fun!

Do you have what it takes to pass the Marine Corps Combat Fitness Test?

Join the marines of dfw and put your skills to the test!
· Go over standards of movement
· Go head to head with marines
· Put your fitness skills to the test as you take the cft
· Open to the public and all branches of military

Where: Stripling middle school
2100 Clover lane fort worth, TX 76107

When: Oct 29th, 2011 open registration 900am - 3pm

First heat begins at 930

Cost: free – donations are welcome

For more information contact sgt eaton
– phone: 419 957 9925
– email: Jacob.eaton@usmc.mil – jaceat83@Hotmail.com

PS. Wear long pants and long sleeved shirt since you will be crawling!!

Who needs a Muddy Buddy run! This is real adventure training!

Winner of the Facebook Google Contest!

Well its been a fun two weeks! Dr Giacalone and I actually ended up in a tie!! I guess we both win dinner! The other docs are having a fit because now we both have more funny and informative reviews than they do. We might have to let them in on the fun???? Maybe....

The winner if the free pair of running shoes was Julie Wolfe! Come claim your prize at Healthy Steps!

More contests to come! This was too much fun!!

Poconos 70.3 A Perfect Storm…and 68.1 Really!

Crazy Weekend! Wet, Rainy, Cold, Hilly and the most ridiculous course I’ve ever ridden! Let’s be serious. The weather was awful! I had picked a race in the Northeast because I was sick and tired of feeling like I was running on the face of the sun! God has a sense of humor. I was thinking it would be a balmy 65 degrees or so and warm up to 70? No, how about 41 at the start that warms up to 55! Did I mention the rain? Yes, it rained for something like a week before the race so the river was so high we couldn’t swim.

The Delaware River Gap was 7 feet above its banks and had so much debris they were worried one of us would get killed. I get that. Honestly, I was a little miffed until I went down to the river and saw how high and how fast the current was flowing. Then I was glad we weren’t swimming. It was scary looking!

So we started with the bike. Hmmm…how do you get 2,000 people on a bike course without killing themselves in a mass start? Time trial start…sorta. They started the pros with 30 second intervals at 7:25am….yes, a little late. The rain and clouds made it a little dark at 7am. Then they started with the age groupers at 3 second intervals…really! So much for no drafting. We were all bunched up on wet roads that were absolutely scary at times. The first half of the bike course was all bunched up and very, very hilly, with a lot of scary turns. Lots of crashing! At one point I was going 34 miles an hour down a hill and watched the guy in front of me wipe out on the turn. At that point I hit the brakes and thought perhaps a slower ride was the better side of valor. The hills were unrelentless. At 50 miles, there was a 5% grade after turning a corner. I did something I have never done since grammar school. After watching one guy fall off the hill with his bike (no time to unclip), I got off and walked the hill! I was embarrassed until I saw about 10 people after me do the same thing! This course was crazy, sick hilly!

Into T2 I went with completely screaming quads! I put my running shoes on and took off only to find that my legs were dead! Really dead! I jogged a few miles and they seemed to warm up, but then I hit someone’s version of a joke! Crazy, rolling hills on the run. All kidding aside, they were nothing like the hills on the bike, but we were all bitching and moaning. I saw more people walking than any race I have ever run. I pathetically jogged into the finish. Happy to be done. Freezing! Crazy, cold, rainy weather plus sick course makes for a miserable day. Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

Perhaps I should venture down to the Longhorn 70.3 in three weeks in Austin and kick some butt, because honestly the Poconos 70.3 kicked my butt! Happy to be alive and smiling! Time was pathetic but I finished. The older you get, the more that matters than the watch!