New treatment tracks running injuries

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Most runners at one time or another deal with an injury, but St. David's Hospital has a new way to treat those injuries.

Physical therapists are now taping patients on a treadmill to be able to pinpoint where an injury is located.

"We can videotape certain sections of the body like the knees, feet, hips to see if they are off kilter or if they are knee-knocking or if their foot is rolling inwards," said Rachel Harris, physical therapist with St. David’s Rehabilitation Center.

Olivia Orneles, 15, runs track for Vista Ridge High School and competes in local events. During the summer, she developed pain in her knee.

Thanks to St. David’s new treatment, Harris was able to determine which strength exercises would help alleviate the pain. Yet, the number one thing physical therapists recommend doing to avoid injury is changing out running shoes every six months or 300- to 400 miles.

"If you buy a pair of shoes on sale and they have already been sitting on the shelf for six months, the shock is gone," said Harris. "The EVA has a six-month shelf life. It just wears off on its own."

EVA stands for ethylene and vinyl acetate, which is the foam rubber of the shoe.

Though insurance is helpful, patients do not need it to get the analysis done, and it costs about $100, which can be paid out-of-pocket. If they require treatment.