RUNNERS FOOT PAIN
Ross Hauser, M.D.

Patient A was an avid runner. He ran 30-40 miles per week. He had several marathons under his belt. He didn't look too good when he came in. "Doc, my right foot kills me by mile six. I have to be extremely careful. I have worn these orthotics but they don't seem to do much. I have even rested my feet but the pain just continues to recur."

Patient B had an important race coming up in two months and he was also distraught. "My arches are killing me. Both of them. The doctor says I should get a bone scan to see if I have a stress fracture. I have tried different shoes, physical therapy for plantar fasciitis...it helps for a little while but the pain comes right back. I really want to do this race."

Patient C had her sights on being in the Olympics. "I have had cortisone injections and they initially worked but they don't work any more. I thought I'd try Prolotherapy."

All of the above had similar pain complaints which were arch pain and ball of foot pain that increased with running. It increased more when landing on the balls of the feet versus running with heel strike first. They all pain when palpating the heel, arches, and the balls of the feet. They came with various diagnoses including plantar fasciitis, heel spur, Morton’s Neuroma, pes planus (flat feet), and metatarsalgia.

I explained to them that all the tender and painful areas should be treated with Prolotherapy. Prolotherapy would help strengthen the plantar fascia attachments. Specifically we would also treat the spring ligament which helps support the arch. The metatarsal attachments of the plantar fascia would also be treated and that would help strengthen those areas. They were also told that the athletes we treat typically don't need orthotics.

Orthotics are often a substitute for weakened ligaments or supporting structures that long term we believe getting them stronger with Prolotherapy would be better. Today the above athletes are competing uninhibited.

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