Injuries

There are many treatment options available to fix a Plantar Plate. Plantar Plates and ligaments that can tear or sprain. It is important to understand that by definition a Sprain is an over-stretched or torn ligament.  This is much different than a Strain ...

You have been diagnosed with High Hamstring Tendonosis/Tendonopathy (HHT).  Now what?  This article and video will teach how to fix High Hamstring Tendonosis/Tendonopathy (HHT). It is important to understand that HHT is scarring and thickening of t...

How do you Fix Metatarsalgia? There are many treatment options available to fix Metatarsalgia.  It is important to understand that Metatarsalgia simply means “Pain in the Metatarsals”.  What is important to know is WHAT anatomical structure is injur...

How do you Fix my Heel Pain? There are many treatment options available to fix Heel Pain.  It is important to understand that Heel Pain is not a diagnosis. It simply describes the anatomical region you are having pain in.  What is important to know i...

Capsulitis The joint capsule is formed by ligaments that surround the joint to provide stability. Capsulitis is a condition that occurs when this joint capsule becomes irritated and inflamed.  The most common area Capsulitis to occur is at the attachment ...

How Do you Fix Capsulitis There are many treatment options available to fix Capsulitis.  Some are less effective than others.  Some are more conservative than others and still some are more expensive than others. To Fix Capsulitis Remove the Aggravating V...

It is commonly thought that roughly 80% of people will suffer from low back pain at some point in their lives.  Because such a large number of people suffer from it many doctors erroneously believe that lower back pain is “normal” and will simply go a...

Did you know that not all back pain is a result of the same condition? In fact there are many conditions that can cause lower back pain.  Proper diagnosis of your low back condition is paramount in order to make sure you choose the correct treatment.  A...

Lower body injuries are common in athletes but happen in non-athletes as well. We will consider any injury that begins at the level of the lumbar spine (low back) or below as a lower body injury. Some examples of injuries that affect the lower body...

Bone Marrow Edema is a condition that results from excessive and/or repetitive stress to bone.  It is often seen among distance runners and should be considered a “pre-stress” fracture. What is Bone Marrow Edema? Bone Marrow Edema is swelling and ...

  There are 4 stages to disc injury.  Disc injuries are commonly misdiagnosed or under diagnosed.  The result of this misdiagnosis is long term worsening of the condition. Stage 1 – Disc swelling/bulging – Can also be referred to as degen...

Achilles or retrocalcaneal bursitis is a common running injury that afflicts many runners seen at the San Diego Running Institute. It is often confused with achilles tendonitis and therefore has become a chronic condition. The runner will usually describe...

What is Achilles Tendonitis? Achilles tendonitis is a common running injury. It can be related to the runner: Having tight calf muscles Having high foot arches Doing speed training Doing hill repeats Achilles Tendonitis...

Achilles Tendonopathy also called Achilles Tendonosis is a tendon degeneration disorder. It is common in runners and other athletes. The condition is not understood by most and is very confusing to the patient. The Achilles tendon has poor regenerative...

What are Bunions Bunions are also called Hallux Valgus which is the anatomical way of saying your toe is deviating away from the midline of your body.  Bunions can develop from an inherited bony structural defect in your foot or can develop over ...

What is Gluteus Medius Syndrome a.k.a. Runner's Butt The Gluteus Medius muscle is a very important muscle found deep to the Gluteus Maximus and overlying the Gluteus Minimus.  Its primary function is to contract isometrically and help provide support ...

What Causes Heel Pain? Heel pain is one of the more common running injuries seen at the San Diego Running institute. The runner often complains they have pain in their heel or arch that is worse in the morning and gradually “warms up”. They also say...

Heel Spurs and Plantar Fasciitis…..is there a Difference? The History You can easily see the heel spur, or as I like to call it, “Hell Spur” in the above X-ray. This patient began to experience pain in their heel region after a trail run. After...

High Hamstring Tendonopathy (HHT) is a condition that affects runners. It is most often seen among long distance runners that like to incorporate speed training and hill repeats.  It tends to hurt more while running faster and uphill.  The pain will t...

Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) is a common running knee injury. This  article will help you identify ITBS symptoms, causes, and treatment options. What is Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS)? The Iliotibial band is a thick tendon that inserts on the ...

Iliotibial Band Syndrome is the second most common running injury next to Achilles Tendonitis.  This video and article will help you learn how to fix Iliotibial Band Syndrome. https://youtu.be/wD7L0dtUNvU There are many treatment options available ...

Ischial Bursitis is a common type of running injury. This painful inflammatory condition results in a deep aching sensation in the runner's involved hip. This article will help you identify Ischial Bursitis symptoms, common misdiagnoses, causes, and ...

What is Leg Length Discrepancy? A Leg Length Inequality or Leg Length Discrepancy is exactly as it sounds. One or more bones (the Femur or thigh bone, the Tibia or shin bone, and/or the joint spacing within the knee) are unequal in total length when...

Lower back pain is a common condition that affects roughly 80% of the population at some point in their lives.  Not all lower back pain is due to the same causes though.  It is common for people to relate their lower back pain to me as “sciatica” when ...

Metatarsalgia is a painful condition we frequently see at the San Diego Running Institute. This  article will define "metatarsalgia" and provide possible causes and treatment options for metatarsal pain.   What is Metatarsalgia? Metatarsalgia ...

What is Morton's Neuroma? Morton's Neuroma is a condition frequently seen at the San Diego Running Institute. It is often misdiagnosed or confused with plantar fasciitis or Metatarsalgia . Morton's Neuroma occurs when the metatarsal bones become...

There are a couple of legitimate reasons why someone could experience pain in the ball of their foot.  It could be a Morton’s Neuroma, Metatarsalgia, torn Plantar Plate ligament, or a Stress fracture in the metatarsal.  Since I treat patients dai...

What is it? Osgood-Schlatters Disease is a common diagnosis more common to young, athletic boys suffering from pain in the front of their knee and below their kneecap that is sharp and stabbing when they run. It generally begins quickly in a run and...

Runner's Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome) is a common knee condition that goes by many names.  The most common are Chondromalacia, Chondromalacia Patella, Patella Tracking Error(s), Patellofemoral Stress Syndrome and Malicious Malalignment Syndrome.  These ar...

This article will teach you how to fix Runner's Knee. Knee pain is a common reason for visits to a doctor for both runner's and non-runners.  The problem with most doctor's is they are more concerned with what to call your knee pain and not necessarily ...

Piriformis Syndrome is a common type of running injury. This video and article will help you identify piriformis pain symptoms as well as distinguish between Piriformis Pain and Sciatica. The Piriformis Muscle The Piriformis Muscle belongs with the ...

Plantar Fasciitis is a painful condition that can cause foot pain, heel pain, and/or arch pain. Learn more about the symptoms and causes of this common running injury, including Dr. Allen's recommendations for plantar fasciitis treatment options.   What...

Plantar Plate sprains (also known as Plantar Plate Tears) are common, painful conditions that can affect runners of all ages and experience levels. What is a Plantar Plate Sprain? A sprain is a torn ligament.  Sprains occur in varying degrees of severity: ...

Sesamoiditis, Fractured Sesamoid Bones and Bi-Partite Sesamoid Bones Sesamoiditis is a painful condition that affects the area of your foot beneath you big toe. Sesamoid bones are small accessory bones that reside under your first metatarsal and function...

Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome) Shin Splints or Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS) is typically described as sharp radiating pain that occurs while running and either gets progressively worse with every step or seems to warm up as you...

Stress fractures are common in those new to running and sport, women, and certain ethnic groups. The most common sites are the shins, hips and feet. Stress fractures occur because the forces placed on your bone exceed its ability to adapt. This results...

What is Structural Hallux Limitis? Hallux Limitis also called Structural Hallux Limitis (SHL) is a condition that affects your big toe joint where it connect to your first metatarsal.  This area is sometimes also referred to as the “ball of the fo...

Tendonosis or Tendonopathy is a term used to describe painful conditions that occur at tendons in response to overuse. Recent published medical research suggests there IS NO inflammation present in these conditions!  So traditional treatments such as ...

Upper body injuries are common in athletes but happen in non-athletes as well. We will consider any injury that begins above the level of the lumbar spine (low back) as an upper body injury. Some examples of injuries that affect the upper body are...

Neck pain is a common complaint that affects many people everyday.  This intense pain can result from a number of injuries, disorders and or diseases.  Many of these soft tissue type injuries are a direct result from contact sports, falls and motor v...

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome  There are a few structures that are commonly impinged in the shoulder.  The rotator cuff and the bursa are by far the most common.   The Rotator Cuff consists of 4 muscles.  When the rotator cuff muscles are repetitively pinc...