According to Dr. Danielle Shaper, of Finesse Footcare, runners who take better care of their feet can reduce the risk of injury

By Patricia Nugent

More than 60 million people in this country lace ‘em up and hit the road, track or trail each day. Runners can attest to a litany of positives related to the sport, from “runner’s high” caused by the rush of “feel-good” hormones to stronger bones, muscles and joints; lower risk for obesity, diabetes and cancer; and an increased metabolism.

One of the very few downsides to running is that it is harder on the feet than other physical activities, and runners often struggle with foot issues, from stress fractures to heel pain and Achilles tendonitis.

Never fear; podiatrist Dr. Danielle L. Shaper, who opened Finesse Footcare in Lyndhurst last fall, takes excellent care of athletes’ feet, and is a big supporter of the local running community, volunteering as a doctor at area races.

Barefoot vs. Stronger Support
“Ever since a runner won the marathon in the Olympics in bare feet, there’s been a direction toward barely-there, minimalist running shoes,” says Dr. Shaper. “The thinking is that less cushioning will strengthen the muscles of the feet for a more natural feeling. However, I feel strongly that less support is an open door to injury. There’s nothing to protect ligaments, tendons, muscles or bones that all need support.”

She recommends going to a store that sells only running shoes, so you have an expert looking at your feet and helping you find the right shoe for the surface you will be running on, whether concrete, gravel or trails.

“You need flexibility in the forefoot to push off,” she explains. “I also recommend custom orthotics to improve the biomechanics of the foot for the optimum position for running.”

The number one injury she sees with runners is heel pain, followed by Achilles issues, both of which can be avoided with the proper fitting shoe.

Try These Top Tips
Dr. Shaper offers sound advice for safe running:

• Dress appropriately for the weather. “Even though your body temperature heats up when running, you need to dress for the temperature outside.”

• Change your shoes every six months. “With wear and tear, the structure of the shoe breaks down and doesn’t do its job supporting your foot.”

• Hydration is key. “If you don’t drink enough fluids, you’ll get cramping.”

• Be sure to stretch before and after a run. “It helps muscles warm up and recover.”

Injections Promote Faster Healing, Less Downtime

For many foot injuries, Dr. Shaper has started offering amniotic injections for faster recovery and in some cases to avoid surgery.

“This revolutionary advancement for foot and ankle treatment utilizes cryopreserved stem cells,” she says. “These rich cells contain growth factors that stimulate tissue repair and healing. It basically triggers your body to heal itself.”

She hopes to reduce fear of injury and encourage everyone to start or stick with running.

“It’s the perfect exercise for most ages, and in light of the fact that 70 percent of Americans are pre-diabetic, I recommend more people change their sedentary lifestyle and get out there,” she says.

Dr. Shaper treats most foot and ankle issues, ranging from ingrown toenails to bunions, heel pain, hammertoes, corns, warts, calluses and sprained ankles, to diabetic footcare, sports medicine and surgery. She also recently introduced MicroDrilling to treat nail fungus.

Finesse Footcare is located at 5035 Mayfield Road in Lyndhurst. Same-day appointments are usually available. The practice accepts a wide variety of insurance plans. Call 216-382-8070 or visit FinesseFootcare.com for more information.