Don’t Trust the Internet to Fix Your Running Injuries

Technology has impacted all areas of our lives. It has not only changed our social interactions – but it’s also altered how we access and view healthcare. Google’s doctors are available to anyone at any time to diagnose health conditions and offer treatment advice. Today, our podiatrist Dr. Hubert Lee of CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists discusses why you shouldn’t rely on the internet to treat your sports injuries.

Seek a Professional
The internet can be a valuable source of information. It’s important to understand what issues you can treat yourself and what necessitates a visit to your doctor.

A podiatrist who regularly treats athletes has the skill and first-hand knowledge to diagnose injuries more precisely, speed up healing and prevent the injuries from reoccurring. These doctors can prescribe a series of diagnostic tests, such as x-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds, and blood work to identify underlying problems.

Running Injuries
Swelling and pain in the lower leg can be tendinitis caused by overuse or shoes that don’t fit properly. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the leg can travel into the brain and lungs and be fatal if it remains untreated. Runners are particularly vulnerable to DVT’s following a race due to trauma, dehydration, and inactivity.

Pain in the front of the foot may be the result of nerve irritation or neuroma, but it could also be caused by a stress fracture or tendinitis that can be identified with an x-ray.

Female distance runners face more risk after the age of 35, especially if they over-train and don’t rest enough between races. Nerve pain in the foot may also look like neuropathy and an early sign of diabetes.

Many patients assume that heel pain is the result of plantar fasciitis, but the pain could be caused by nerve irritation, a bone cyst or stress fracture. Often it is the neighboring posterior tendon that is the culprit and requires a different treatment approach. Arthritic disorders such as gout can also cause heel pain.

In Closing
The internet should not be used as a substitute for an in-person assessment by your podiatrist. Rather than spending time reading medical advice on the internet.

If you have unresolved problems in your lower extremity, use your smartphone or computer to make an appointment, not to look for treatment advice. Call the office of Dr. Hubert Lee of CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists today at (425) 455-0936 or schedule your appointment online.