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Marathon Runners:
Foot pain and Foot Orthotics for Marathoners
Dr. Huppin and Dr. Hale have special interest and expertise in
working with marathoners and we have become the referral center in the
Seattle area for marathon runners with foot, ankle and leg problems. We
treat marathoners every week of the year, but see a significant increase
in the number of marathoners we treat in the months running up to the
Seattle Marathon in November and the
Seattle Rock’n Roll
Marathon in June.
Marathoners place tremendous force on their feet. Most of the foot,
ankle and leg problems we see are due to increased force. In some people
this is due to abnormal biomechanics of their feet and in others it is
because they simply weigh too much. In marathoners, problems occur due
to the repetitive pounding over the months of training. In fact, during
a 10-mile run, the feet make 15,000 strikes, at a force of three to four
times the body's weight. Even if you have perfect foot mechanics,
injuries are common with this much stress.
Before Training
Whether you are training for your first marathon or your fortieth,
make an appointment to see us for a
complete pre-marathon lower extremity evaluation prior to
starting your training. Be sure to bring your running shoes and any
orthotics or arch supports you wear to this appointment. Also, bring
some running shorts. We will evaluate your biomechanics, gait, injury
history, foot structure and shoes. Be prepared for a short treadmill
run. After the evaluation we will provide you with the information and
treatment you need to allow injury free training and marathons.
Injuries during Training
If you are already training and are having foot, ankle, knee or leg
pain, make an appointment to see us
right away in our Seattle clinic. Tell our receptionist that you
are training for a marathon and we will try to get you in right away so
we can help you avoid interrupting your training schedule.
Orthotics for Marathoners
Custom orthotics can help prevent injuries by decreasing the extreme
forces placed on the feet in people training for marathons. In most
cases, orthotics for marathoners should conform almost perfectly to the
arch of the foot. These are called total
contact orthotics and act to spread force over the entire bottom
surface of the foot in order to prevent excessive pressure on any one
part of the foot.
In addition studies show that additional cushioning on an orthotic can
significantly decrease impact forces on the foot and leg in runners. So,
regardless of the type of orthotic we prescribe for your specific
problem, if you plan on using the orthotic for running, especially
marathons, we will add some very specific cushioning modifications
designed to decrease force on your lower extremity.
You can read more here about why orthotics from Dr.
Huppin and Dr. Hale work better.
Because of the extreme forces placed on the feet, even marathoners with
relatively normal foot mechanics may benefit from custom orthotics. At
the very least, most marathoners should be wearing high-quality
over-the-counter arch supports. We
can help you determine which type of support is best for you.
If you think you might be a candidate for custom orthotics, see us as
soon as possible. You will need time to work into using new orthotics.
We will work with you to provide a break-in schedule.
Common Foot Problems Seen in Marathon Runners:
References in the Medical Literature
1.OLeary K, et. al. Effect of Cushioned Insoles on Impact Forces During
Running. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 98(1): 36–41, 2008
2.Murphy DF. Efficacy of plantar loading parameters during gait in terms
of reliability, variability, effect of gender and relationship between
contact area and plantar pressure. Foot Ankle Int. 2005 Feb;26(2):171-9.
3.Bus SA. Ground reaction forces and kinematics in distance running in
older-aged men. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003 Jul;35(7):1167-75
All pages on this website © 2005-2010
Douglas Hale, DPM & Lawrence Huppin, DPM
Foot and Ankle Center of Washington, Seattle
The material provided on this web site is for informative purposes only.
If you need specific medical advice, please contact the office for an appointment.
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