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Can anybody recommend a good running doctor in NY - Hudson Valley?

bernieholliday
Joined: 29 Dec 2008
Posts: 1
New York, United States
Posted: Mon 29 Dec 2008 06:43 am GMT   topTop
Hi, I'm a recently converted competitive beach volleyball player to trail running newbie who recently completed two trail 50k races this fall. Shortly afterwards, I had pain across the top of my foot and went to a sports medicine clinic to have it looked at. When asked what kind of running shoes I own, I answered "Brooks." The sports medicine specialist then stated that "Brooks Brothers does make nice clothes, but you have to be sure you have the right footwear also." This didn't inspire confidence in me. Then, he told me that running is bad for me and instructed me to take six weeks off (which isn't going to happen!) and to consider taking up something other than running "for exercise."

Fast forward two months. Foot pain is gone, but I think I'm having IT Band Friction pain (my self-diagnosis, go figure?!) that shuts me down at about 15 miles into my longer runs. I want to confirm that it's IT Band-related and nothing seriously jacked up like a torn tendon, but I don't want to have another "Brooks Brothers" experience...

Can anybody recommend a real honest-to-goodness doctor or sports medicine expert in the Hudson Valley NY region that really KNOWS distance running? Sorry if this is inappropriate for this forum - I just don't know where to look to find this information...

Please help!

Signed,
Desperately frustrated
ajj
Joined: 28 Nov 2006
Posts: 35
Arkansas, United States
Posted: Tue 30 Dec 2008 02:19 pm GMT   topTop
I would ask around for a good Podiatrist. Might as well go to a specialist.
MDs specializing in "sports" injuries are fine but a podiatrist is MUCH more likely to have seen the exact condition before. Mine has been very helpful to me.
Good luck to ye.
backcountryrunner
Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Posts: 194
Utah, United States
Posted: Fri 09 Jan 2009 08:31 pm GMT   topTop
A sports medicine specialist tells you that running is bad for you? Crazy ... unless he was simply advising time off.

In any case, I think you have an excellent and important question here -- highly appropriate. An exact doctor's name might not be forthcoming from this forum, but don't give up on finding a good doctor who understands running. Keep asking around for recommendations from other runners. I found a great one that way.

I'd been having some irregular but sharp knee pains over the years and finally paid the doctor a visit. Turns out when this doctor was younger he had knee surgery that went wrong, and eventually had his knee replaced -- but he still runs marathons! With a knee replacement. Pretty amazing. So of course he's a proponent of NON-SURGICAL fixes. (From what I hear, never go to a surgeon first - they know surgery so that's what they'll recommend.) He also sees other ultra runners on a regular basis so he understands the rigors of that type of running in particular. He was very knowledgeable and explained everything thoroughly. He assured me that my running was NOT the cause of my knee problems. And that running is not bad for the knees at all; people with serious knee problems (i.e., problems that cause knee replacement) would have developed them anyway (genetically-inclined) through everyday living and walking. Stuff like that. Just thought you'd be interested and encouraged to keep looking.