Runner Banner

St. Francis Sports Medicine Newsletter | March 2010

Quick Links


March
Calendar

3/5
Grace Church Dodgeball
 
 
3/6
Greenville Griffins Rugby 
 
 
 
 
3/7
Greenville Spring Cycling Series
 
3/9
Donaldson Training Ride

 

SFSPC
 
 
New Date:
 March 20, 2010
 
D1 Sports Training, Greenville
 
 
St. Francis Sports Medicine, D1 Sports Training and the Fellowship of
Christian Athletes 
proudly present the
4th Annual
 
Your 7th-12th grade student can test his or her speed, strength and agility for a chance to earn scholarships, trophies and prizes.
Learn more >>


Newsletters

Greetings!

Thank you for your continued support of St. Francis Sports Medicine. To learn more about Sports Medicine from one of our experts, please email Rodney Dender. And, remember, we're available 24/7 at 864-675-HURT.
 

Running Shoes: Do They Hurt or Help?

A recent study of recreational runners showed that those who ran in high-tech running shoes had more joint strain than those who simply ran barefoot. The study, conducted at the University of Virginia, specifically measured torque in the knee, hip and ankle joints, which can lead to osteoarthritis.
 
While running barefoot is usually not an option, especially for outdoor runners, it does raise the question of whether the shoes that make your foot more comfortable now could cause joint problems later in life. 
 
"All running shoes have a heel lift component that stresses the forefoot, which in turn puts stress on the interior knee," says Dr. Michael Tollison, Foot and Ankle Surgery Specialist with Piedmont Orthopaedic Associates. However, the shock absorption of running shoes is important, particularly in those runners who most often run outdoors on concrete.
 
"There is no doubt that the wrong shoes can cause problems," says Dr. John Womack, Foot and Ankle Surgery Specialist with Piedmont Orthopaedic Associates. "And choosing the right running shoes today can be hard given so many choices."
 
Dr. Tollison echoes the sentiment saying, "The problem with running shoes is that no one shoe is going to fit all people. Some need the break of the shoe to be more in the mid-arch, some people are going to need it more toward the heel, some people are going to need it more towards the forefoot."
 
So what should you do when shopping for running shoes? Start by checking out the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society's guide to choosing athletic shoes. When you're at the store, talk with a knowledgeable sales associate who can help you select the right shoe for you. If you're a walker, consider looking into the new curved bottom shoes. They can reduce force on the joints, but are better for walking than running.



Dr Tollison
Michael Tollison, MD, practices with Piedmont Orthopaedic Associates, and is an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in Foot and Ankle Surgery. Read his bio >>
 
 
 

 
 

Dr Womack
 
John Womack, MD, practices with Piedmont Orthopaedic Associates, and is an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in Foot and Ankle Surgery. Read his bio >> 
 
 
 
What is a Certified Athletic Trainer?
National Certified Athletic Trainer Month
 
Kenny Cabe | Certified Athletic Trainer
 
March is National Athletic Training Month, but what exactly is an athletic trainer? The term "trainer" is often used to describe personal trainers, boxing trainers, and even horse trainers. So what makes an athletic trainer different?
 
Certified athletic trainers are specifically trained in the prevention, evaluation, care, treatment, management and rehabilitation of athletic injuries and those injuries and conditions that are common to athletics and physical activity. Athletic trainers obtain either a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited athletic training program which includes both classroom and hands-on field experience. Seventy percent of certified athletic trainers hold a master's degree. After obtaining their degree, the candidate must pass a rigorous certification exam by the National Athletic Trainers Association Board of Certification in order to claim the title of certified athletic trainer (ATC).
 
Athletic trainers work in a variety of settings from professional, college and high school athletics to the military, hospitals, physical therapy clinics and industry. To learn more, visit the National Athletic Trainers Association's web site.