Welcome to the first episode of Interdisciplinary Case Miles, where real runner stories meet expert clinical insight. In this episode, Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards (physical therapist), Dr. Sara Raiser (Running Medicine Physician), and Kelsey Pontius (sports dietitian) tackle a complex case: a 32-year-old professional marathoner struggling with a non-healing proximal hamstring tendinopathy. The team breaks down biomechanics, differential diagnoses, rehab strategies, hormonal and nutritional considerations, and the mental load of chronic injury. Whether you're a runner, coach, clinician, or performance professional, this episode offers real-world strategies and a fresh, interdisciplinary perspective on one of the most frustrating injuries in endurance sports.

• 0:00 – Intro to Interdisciplinary Case Miles
• 3:00 – Why we started this podcast
• 6:30 – Case intro: Proximal hamstring tendinopathy
• 9:45 – Physical therapy evaluation insights (Dr. Mihevc Edwards)
• 17:20 – Nutrition red flags and lab markers (Kelsey Pontius)
• 23:00 – Stress, hormones & female athlete considerations (Dr. Raiser)
• 30:00 – Common misdiagnoses and missed treatment steps
• 36:30 – Sprinting, eccentrics & progressive loading
• 42:00 – Mental fatigue, missed diagnoses & patient advocacy
• 47:15 – Final takeaways from each expert

Thank you to our sponsor, Lever Movement. Use code Casemiles for 20% off

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/interdisciplinary-case-miles--6623567/support.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow and subscribe so you never miss a case.

Have a question or a case you'd like us to explore on the show? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out anytime at runcasemiles@gmail.com.

What happens when a highly conditioned collegiate swimmer transitions into marathon training too quickly? In this episode of Interdisciplinary Case Miles, a 23-year-old former swimmer increases weekly mileage from 15–20 miles to 40 miles, adds hills and speed work, and begins to worry about low ferritin when performance stalls.What initially appears to be an iron concern reveals a broader picture involving low energy availability, fueling gaps, training load errors, and bone stress injury risk, ultimately resulting in a diagnosis of femoral shaft stress fracture.Dr. Sara Raiser (running medicine physician), Kelsey Pontius (sports dietitian), and Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards (physical therapist) discuss:

• Why ferritin is often a marker of a larger issue
• The relationship between nutrition, iron stores, and bone health
• Unique injury risks when transitioning from non-weight-bearing sports
• How cardiovascular fitness can exceed musculoskeletal readiness
• Rehabilitation principles, plyometric loading, and safe return-to-run progressions

This episode is essential listening for runners, clinicians, coaches, and endurance athletes navigating performance concerns, injury prevention, and the demands of marathon training.

00:00 – Welcome to Interdisciplinary Case MilesMeet the hosts and the evidence-informed approach behind real runner cases.
02:10 – The Case Introduction
A former collegiate swimmer increases mileage from 20 to 40 miles/week while marathon training.
04:45 – “Is It My Ferritin?”
Why athletes fixate on iron and ferritin when performance plateaus
.07:30 – Ferritin vs Iron Explained
What ferritin actually represents and why it changes slowly.
10:15 – Red Flags for Low Energy Availability
Sleep, libido, GI symptoms, recovery, and early warning signs of REDs.
15:40 – Nutrition, Bone Density, and Stress Injury Risk
How low ferritin, low energy intake, and bone health intersect.
18:30 – Thigh Pain Isn’t “Just a Quad Strain”
Why distance runner thigh pain raises concern for femoral stress fractures.
22:15 – Diagnosing a Femoral Shaft Stress Fracture
Why this injury matters and how it differs from higher-risk stress fractures.
26:40 – The Swimmer-to-Runner Problem
Cardio fitness vs bone loading, gravity, and anti-gravity sports.
31:50 – The Three Pillars: Nutrition, Training Errors, Biomechanics
A framework for evaluating bone stress injuries.
36:20 – Training Errors That Add Up Fast
Mileage spikes, speed work, lack of rest, and life stress post-college.
41:10 – Starting PT Before You Run Again
Strength, education, and early rehab during protected weight-bearing.
45:30 – Plyometrics, Bone Loading, and Return-to-Run
Why jumping matters and how bones adapt to force.
50:40 – Bone Geometry, Density, and Multi-Directional Movement
Why specialization matters—especially in adolescence.
55:30 – The “Engine vs Chassis” Problem
When cardiovascular fitness outpaces muscles, tendons, and bones.
59:20 – Why Return-to-Run Feels So Hard
Managing athlete frustration while protecting long-term health.
1:02:30 – Final Takeaways from Each Expert
Big-picture thinking, history matters, and don’t self-coach in isolation.
1:06:00 – Wrap-Up & How to Submit a Case

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In this episode of Interdisciplinary Case Miles, Co-hosts Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards (PT), Dr. Sara Raiser (MD) and Kelsey Pontius (RD) discuss a case about a exertional leg pain in a 19-year-old collegiate distance runner.

Dr. Sarah Raiser leads this case and explains how exertional leg pain can present in runners, outlining key diagnoses such as chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) and popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES). The discussion also covers how these conditions differ from stress fractures, nerve-related pain, and other causes of lower-leg symptoms, as well as how these cases are properly evaluated and diagnosed.Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards addresses the physical therapy and gait-related factors that may contribute to exertional leg pain, including overstriding, crossover gait, heavy landings, strength deficits, and footwear considerations. She discusses when conservative management may be appropriate, when surgery may be indicated, and the importance of runner-specific, functional strength training during rehabilitation.Sports dietitian Kelsey Pontius shares the nutrition considerations relevant to these cases, including hydration, blood flow, anti-inflammatory nutrition, nitrates, and the role of adequate fueling to support recovery, gait changes, and long-term adaptation—particularly in injured collegiate and high-level runners.Key topics in this episode include:

• Common causes of exertional leg pain in runners
• Chronic exertional compartment syndrome vs. other diagnoses
• Gait retraining and physical therapy considerations
• Surgical and non-surgical treatment options
• The role of fueling and hydration in injury recovery

This episode is relevant for runners experiencing persistent lower-leg pain, clinicians working with endurance athletes, athletes, coaches and anyone interested in an interdisciplinary, evidence-informed approach to running injuries.

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In this episode of Interdisciplinary Case Miles, Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards (physical therapist), Dr. Sara Raiser (running medicine physician), and Kelsey Pontius (sports dietitian) dive into the case of a 26-year-old former collegiate runner who now spends his time running trails, biking, and staying active outdoors. Since leaving the structured world of collegiate athletics, his lifestyle, training, and recovery patterns have shifted—bringing new challenges to his body, including persistent anterior knee pain. 

The team explores how running changes once the collegiate safety net of coaches, meal plans, and regimented schedules disappears. They unpack the biomechanics of patellar tendinopathy, patellar femoral knee pain, the impact of lifestyle stressors, the role of nutrition and hydration without institutional support, and the mental frustration of injury after multiple failed treatments. This conversation highlights what clinicians, athletes, and coaches need to consider when runners transition into “real life” training, and how an interdisciplinary approach can restore both performance and confidence. 

Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a coach helping athletes through transitions, or a clinician working with frustrated runners, this case will give you practical insights into recovery, resilience, and the realities of post-college running.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 – Intro & sponsor shoutout
• 4:30 – Case intro: former collegiate runner with anterior knee pain
• 9:15 – Physician’s perspective: imaging, biomechanics & tendinopathy
• 15:00 – Nutrition, hydration & lifestyle after college athletics
• 22:40 – Stress, recovery, and the mental load of long-term pain
• 29:30 – The role of gait, bike fit, and strength training
• 38:00 – Why multiple providers often miss the bigger picture
• 45:15 – Interdisciplinary takeaways

Thank you to our sponsor, Lever Movement. Use code Casemiles for 20% off

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Welcome to Interdisciplinary Case Miles, a podcast where real runner stories meet clinical expertise. In this episode, Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards (PT), Dr. Sara Raiser (MD), and sports dietitian Kelsey Pontius present a common but often misdiagnosed case of glute tendinopathy in a female runner during the menopause transition.

This case goes over running biomechanics, hormonal changes, nutrition, sleep, and recovery. The team explores how perimenopause and menopause-related hormonal shifts particularly changes in estrogen can affect tendon health, joint lubrication, gut function, nutrient absorption, sleep quality, and overall healing capacity.

This episode discusses misconceptions around weight, health, fueling, and aging, emphasizing that bodies are meant to change and that under-fueling, overtraining, and “black-and-white” health advice can slow recovery and increase injury risk. The hosts discuss why glute tendinopathy is often misdiagnosed as bursitis, how to properly evaluation lateral hip pain, and why a stepwise, individualized approach to care is essential.

Some of the main topics include:
-The role of hormones in tendon health and injury risk
-Why weight is not a reliable indicator of health
-The importance of adequate fueling, including carbohydrates, during midlife transitions
-How sleep, stress, and digestion impact healing
-Why interdisciplinary care leads to better outcomes for runners

This episode reinforces a core theme of the podcast: there are no one-size-fits-all answers in medicine or performance. By understanding the whole person and working with the body rather than against it runners can recover more effectively, reduce injury risk, and continue doing what they love.                                                                                                                      
00:00 Welcome to Interdisciplinary Case Miles
01:25 Meet the Hosts & Their Clinical Roles
04:00 What We’ve Been Working On Lately
06:15 Kelsey’s New Ebook: Miles & Meals
09:30 Outreach, Education & Bridging the Gap in Running Medicine
13:10 Returning to Running After Health Challenges
16:20 Introducing the Case: Lateral Hip Pain in a Midlife Runner
19:45 Nutrition, Hormones & Gut Health in Perimenopause
24:30 Bodies Are Meant to Change
28:40 Weight Is Not Health & The Risk of Under-Fueling
33:20 Why Glute Tendinopathy Is Often Misdiagnosed as Bursitis
38:10 Estrogen, Collagen & Tendon Healing
43:50 Biomechanics, Hip Load & Physical Therapy Considerations
49:30 Pelvic Floor, Core Health & Hip Pain
53:40 Sleep, Stress & Recovery During Midlife Transitions
57:45 Doing Less to Heal More
01:01:30 Key Takeaways from Each Expert
01:04:10 Final Thoughts & How to Connect with the Team

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Have a question or a case you'd like us to explore on the show? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out anytime at runcasemiles@gmail.com.

Welcome to Interdisciplinary Case Miles, a podcast where real runner stories meet clinical expertise.
In Episode 10, Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards (PT), Dr. Sara Raiser (MD), and sports dietitian Kelsey Pontius address a very common question: Can you keep running with knee osteoarthritis?

Using the case of a 60-year-old male runner with knee OA, the team walks through how clinicians evaluate pain, imaging, goals, and functional limitations to help runners make informed decisions about continuing to train. The discussion covers activity modification, gait retraining, strength and mobility work, physical therapy, injections, regenerative medicine options, and when knee replacement may become part of the conversation.

The episode also highlights the role of nutrition, hydration, inflammation management, and consistency in supporting joint health and long-term running longevity especially for master’s athletes. As always, rather than offering black-and-white answers, the hosts emphasize individualized care, realistic expectations, and meeting runners where they are. This episode reinforces a core message of Interdisciplinary Case Miles: staying active with OA is often possible, but it requires an individualized, interdisciplinary approach.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How knee osteoarthritis is evaluated in runners
• When running may still be appropriate and how to modify it
• The role of physical therapy, gait retraining, and strength work
• Injection and regenerative medicine options for knee OA
• Nutrition strategies to support joint health and recovery
• How to think about longevity, pain management, and performance
  
  
  
  
• 00:00 – 02:30 | What this podcast is about
  An interdisciplinary approach to keeping runners healthy and active.
• 02:30 – 05:00 | The case: 60-year-old runner with knee OA
  Anterior/medial knee pain and the big question—can I keep running?
• 05:00 – 09:30 | How clinicians decide if running is appropriate
  Imaging, goals, symptom history, and functional exams matter more than age alone.
• 09:30 – 13:30 | Using pain to guide training decisions
  Why pain doesn’t have to be zero—but must stay controlled to avoid gait changes.
• 13:30 – 18:30 | Physical therapy priorities for knee OA
  Balance, quad/glute/core strength, and restoring mobility across the kinetic chain.
• 18:30 – 23:00 | Injection options explained
  Steroids vs. hyaluronic acid (“oil change”) and realistic expectations for pain relief.
• 23:00 – 27:30 | Regenerative medicine: who benefits most
  PRP, mild-to-moderate OA, bone pain considerations, and insurance realities.
• 27:30 – 32:30 | Gait retraining and shoe changes
  Cadence, footwear, and subtle form tweaks to reduce knee stress while running.
• 32:30 – 36:30 | Training modifications for longevity
  Cross-training, deloads, and strategic adjustments instead of stopping running.
• 36:30 – 41:00 | Running after knee replacement
  Current recommendations, real-world experiences, and individualized decisions.
• 41:00 – 46:00 | Nutrition strategies to support joint health
  Anti-inflammatory foods, hydration challenges in master’s athletes, and consistency.
• 46:00 – 49:30 | Lifestyle factors that affect recovery
  Eating patterns, fueling consistency, and supporting healing capacity.
• 49:30 – 52:00 | Key takeaways & closing thoughts
  Pain management, teamwork, and why nutrition is always part of the equation.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/interdisciplinary-case-miles--6623567/support.

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Have a question or a case you'd like us to explore on the show? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out anytime at runcasemiles@gmail.com.

Welcome back to Interdisciplinary Case: Miles, where real runner stories meet clinical expertise. In Episode 8, Dr. Sara Raiser (MD), sports dietitian Kelsey Pontius, and physical therapist Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards (PT) team up to break down a complex case: a mid-30s female roadrunner and backpacker navigating persistent butt pain, posterior leg symptoms, and unexpected GI challenges. This episode uncovers why seemingly simple running injuries often have not-so-simple causes and why a whole-body, interdisciplinary lens matters.

In this case study, we explore:

• Buttock and posterior thigh pain, what “sciatica” really means, why it’s often misdiagnosed, and how nerves, joints, tendons, and biomechanics interact
• The nervous system connection how an injury high up (like the hip or butt) can contribute to issues farther down the chain, including the Achilles
• The hidden role of nutrition & gut health, IBS, GI testing, microbiome insights, nutrient absorption, and how underfueling impacts nerve healing and recovery
• Breathing, stress & recovery why parasympathetic activation, rest, and mindful eating support both performance and injury resolution
• Clinical decision-making differential diagnoses, red flags, when imaging is needed, and how PT, nutrition, and sports medicine intersect
• Real-life biomechanics like hiking with a backpack, running form, posture, core engagement, nerve mobility, and how everyday habits amplify or relieve symptoms

This episode takes a comprehensive look at the messy, interconnected reality of running injuries where gut function influences glute activation, posture affects nerve mobility, and stress and recovery can make or break healing. Whether you’re a runner, clinician, or coach, you’ll walk away with: A clearer understanding of butt and posterior leg pain Practical insights on GI issues, fueling, and stress management A roadmap for thinking holistically about athlete health.

00:00 – Podcast Intro & Hosts
Overview of Interdisciplinary Case Miles and introduction of the three clinicians. 
01:35 – Case Overview: Mid-30s Female Road Runner
Runner background, hiking/backpacking at altitude, work-from-home lifestyle, inconsistent meals. 03:40 – Initial Presentation: Butt & Posterior Thigh Pain
Why the PT flagged nutrition as a possible barrier to healing.
05:30 – GI Symptoms & IBS-C / IBS-D Explained
Connection between alternating constipation/diarrhea, discomfort after meals, and training disruption. 07:40 – Why Gut Health Matters for Injury Recovery
Micronutrient absorption, inflammation, and nerve healing considerations.
09:40 – Nutrition Interventions: Eating Enough & Consistently
Hydration, missed meals, work-from-home challenges, and fueling basics.
12:00 – Gut Testing & Microbiome Findings
Trail runner risks, lab testing, microbiome imbalance, and implications for healing.
14:20 – Polyphenols, Probiotics & Fiber Strategy
Green tea, targeted probiotics, fibers, and supporting beneficial bacteria.
16:20 – Chewing, Digestion & Parasympathetic State
Why slowing down eating and breathing matters for gut regulation.
18:10 – Exercise Load vs Recovery (The “90-Minute Rest Day”)
Why constant training prevents healing and nervous system recovery.
19:50 – Medical Perspective: Diagnosing Butt Pain
Hip vs spine vs nerve vs tendon; complexity of posterior chain pain in runners.
22:20 – Red Flags & Imaging Decisions
When imaging, injections, and stepwise diagnostics are appropriate.
24:45 – What “Sciatica” Really Means
Why true sciatica is uncommon and often misdiagnosed.
26:30 – Sciatic Nerve Anatomy & Referred Pain
Lumbar roots, piriformis myths, nerve pathways, and distal injury risk.
29:45 – Nerve Loading: Hiking, Backpacks & Downhill Stress
How posture, stride length, and load affect nerve irritation.
32:10 – Nerve Mobility & Gliding Concepts
Why nerves get “stuck” and how that mimics muscle tightness.
34:10 – PT Assessment Priorities
Single-leg control, posterior chain loading, core and hip coordination.
36:30 – Piriformis Syndrome: What’s Really Going On
Secondary pain generators, trigger points, and referral patterns.
39:00 – Gut Health, Core Control & Pelvic Floor
How GI distress, surgeries, trauma, and bloating affect muscle engagement.
42:00 – Medications, Microbiome & Bone Health
PPIs, acne meds, absorption issues, and injury risk.
44:30 – Manual Therapy & Anterior Chain Considerations
Abdominal work, hip flexors, visceral restrictions, and pain patterns.
46:40 – Recovery Is the Missing Link
Sleep, relative rest, nutrition, and why breakdown exceeds adaptation.
48:40 – Key Takeaways: Nutrition Perspective
Seeing experts, gut health beyond trends, mental health, and mindfulness.
50:20 – Key Takeaways: PT & Biomechanics
Running gait, hiking mechanics, backpacks, unloading the nerve.
52:40 – Final Thoughts & Closing



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In this episode of Interdisciplinary Case Miles, Dr. Sara Raiser, sports dietitian Kelsey Pontius, and physical therapist Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards team up to break down a challenging and relatable case of IT Band Syndrome in a 25-year-old female runner. What begins as knee pain following increased training and emotional stress unfolds into a deep dive on biomechanics, movement evaluation, nutrition, recovery, and the mind–body connection.
Kate walks listeners through the full clinical picture from movement screens and gait analysis to the complex interplay between hip strength, foot mechanics, and neuromuscular control. Dr. Sara highlights the medical lens, including pain modulation, the role of the hip joint, and when interventions like shockwave therapy or injections can help support progress. Kelsey adds a nutrition-centered perspective, sharing how hydration, collagen-supportive foods, inflammation management, and lifestyle factors can influence tissue health and recovery.
Together, the team explores why IT Band Syndrome develops, how emotional load and training spikes contribute, what to expect from a proper rehab timeline, and how seemingly small insights from running shoes to callus patterns can reveal key movement issues. Listeners will gain a clearer understanding of evidence-informed gait retraining, strength programming, and the importance of patience and consistency in healing.
Whether you're a runner, clinician, or coach, this case is packed with practical takeaways, thoughtful discussion, and a healthy dose of running-nerdery.                                                                                  00:00 Welcome & introductions
01:00 Case overview: 25-year-old runner with IT Band Syndrome
04:30 Biomechanical findings: hip drop, knee valgus & overpronation
08:30 Dr. Raiser’s medical insights: stress, pain patterns & recovery timelines
12:30 Nutrition perspective: hydration, collagen & inflammation support
16:00 PT approach: manual therapy, strength work & when to start gait retraining
20:40 Footwear clues & common shoe/orthotic mistakes
22:30 Key takeaways: patience, stress awareness & long-term strength development
23:50 Closing thoughts & call to action

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Have a question or a case you'd like us to explore on the show? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out anytime at runcasemiles@gmail.com.

In this episode of Interdisciplinary Case Miles, hosts Dr. Sara Raiser (MD), Kelsey Pontius, and Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards (PT) break down a complex real-world case of a male marathoner caught in a cycle of injury, underfueling, and recovery.When multiple stress fractures, low testosterone, and low ferritin collide with emotional stress and high training volume, the team dives deep into how Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) affects performance, hormones, and bone health.

Kelsey unpacks the concept of within-day energy deficits and the athlete’s struggles with reactive hypoglycemia. Dr. Raiser highlights why femoral neck stress fractures are among the most serious running injuries often requiring urgent imaging and complete rest. Dr. Edwards shares the detailed process of returning safely to running, from load management and biomechanics to rebuilding strength and confidence.This episode showcases the power of an interdisciplinary approach where nutrition, medicine, and physical therapy work together to help runners heal fully and sustainably.

Episode Highlights

• 00:00  Welcome & introductions
• 01:10 Kelsey presents the case: male runner with recurring stress injuries
• 07:45 Understanding reactive hypoglycemia and RED-S
• 10:20 Dr. Reiser explains femoral neck stress fractures & key lab work
• 16:50  Dr. Edwards on rehab, biomechanics, and safe return-to-run
• 23:30  The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration
• 28:40 Top takeaways for clinicians & athletes

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Have a question or a case you'd like us to explore on the show? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out anytime at runcasemiles@gmail.com.

A 32-year-old female runner and triathlete presents with deep anterior hip and groin pain that worsens with sitting, cycling, and running. Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards (PT), Dr. Sara Raiser (Running Medicine Physician), and sports dietitian Kelsey Pontius dig into a complex but common clinical picture: when hip impingement (FAI), labral irritation, or soft tissue overload may be compounded by pelvic floor dysfunction, hormonal shifts, or fueling gaps.

The team breaks down differential diagnosis—how to distinguish hip joint pathology from lumbar referral, hip flexor pain, or femoral stress—and explores gait mechanics, breathing patterns, pelvic floor “piston” function, and nutrition’s role in muscle health and recovery. Practical strategies include what to look for in gait analysis, single-leg squat, and functional movement, plus how to modify training.

This conversation is built for athletes, coaches, and clinicians alike—anyone navigating stubborn hip pain that doesn’t resolve with rest or generic rehab.

Timestamps

• 0:00 – Welcome & why anterior hip pain is often misdiagnosed
• 4:30 – Case intro: 32-year-old runner/triathlete with hip & groin pain
• 8:15 – Red flags: femoral neck stress fracture vs. hip flexor vs. FAI
• 13:00 – Pelvic floor clues & the diaphragm–pelvic floor piston
• 18:45 – Gait mechanics, arm swing, and hidden rotation issues
• 23:30 – Nutrition, hormones & pelvic floor muscle health
• 28:50 – Lever system: managing load while rehabbing hips
• 33:10 – Final takeaways: physician, dietitian, and PT perspectives

Thank you to our sponsor, Lever Movement. Use code Casemiles for 20% off

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/interdisciplinary-case-miles--6623567/support.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow and subscribe so you never miss a case.

Have a question or a case you'd like us to explore on the show? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out anytime at runcasemiles@gmail.com.

Dr. Sara Raiser (Running Medicine Physician), Kelsey Pontius (Sports Dietitian), and Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards (Physical Therapist) bring their interdisciplinary lens to a tricky injury that often occurs in male young athletes: abdominal wall and groin pain. 

In this episode, the team unpacks the case of a 17-year-old male high school track athlete presenting with lower abdominal and groin pain that radiates into the adductors and limits his stride. The pain is nagging, sometimes sharp, but mostly tight and aching. Is it a sports hernia? Or something else entirely? 

Dr. Raiser explains the red flags that must be ruled out,  from inguinal and femoral hernias to femoral stress injuries and hip pathology and why standard imaging often fails to provide answers. Dr. Mihevc Edwards dives into biomechanics, thoracic mobility, breathing mechanics, and gait analysis, showing how interconnected tissues and referral patterns often blur the clinical picture. Pontius highlights the nutrition and mental health side: how underfueling, over-cross-training, and performance pressure can amplify both pain and recovery challenges in young athletes.

Together, the team breaks down how an interdisciplinary approach combining medical care, physical therapy, nutrition, and communication with coaches can not only solve cases like this but also protect the identity and confidence of athletes who define themselves through sport. This episode is for athletes, parents, coaches, and clinicians who want to better understand abdominal wall and groin pain in runners and why “sports hernia” may be just one part of the bigger picture.

Timestamps

• 0:00 – Welcome & sponsor intro
• 3:30 – Case intro: 17-year-old high school runner with abdominal wall/groin pain
• 8:15 – Differential diagnosis: hernia, sports hernia, hip pathology, stress fracture
• 14:00 – Why imaging often comes back “normal” & how to set expectations
• 19:30 – Physical therapy perspective: thoracic spine, breathing, trunk control
• 25:40 – Nutrition, fueling, and the risk of under-eating in injured adolescent athletes
• 32:10 – Mental health & the identity struggle of the sidelined teen runner
• 38:30 – The role of coaches and parents in the recovery plan
• 45:15 – Lever system & safe return-to-run training tools
• 50:00 – Final interdisciplinary takeaways

Thank you to our sponsor, Lever Movement. Use code Casemiles for 20% off

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/interdisciplinary-case-miles--6623567/support.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow and subscribe so you never miss a case.

Have a question or a case you'd like us to explore on the show? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out anytime at runcasemiles@gmail.com.

Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards (physical therapist), Dr. Sara Raiser (Running Medicine Physician), and sports dietitian Kelsey Pontius break down the case of a professional marathoner returning to training postpartum after a C-section. From pelvic health and biomechanics to nutrition, hormones, and the mental side of recovery, the team highlights what it really takes to get back to running. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or medical provider, you’ll walk away with practical strategies and interdisciplinary insights to support performance and long-term health.

0:00 – Welcome & sponsor introduction
4:15 – Case intro: professional marathoner postpartum
9:00 – Physical therapy approach (Dr. Mihevc Edwards)
16:30 – Physician considerations: delivery, injury history, pelvic floor (Dr. Raiser)
25:20 – Nutrition & fueling postpartum (Kelsey Pontius)
34:15 – Coaching influence, mindset & interdisciplinary teamwork
41:40 – RED-S, underfueling & blood sugar regulation
50:10 – Long-term recovery, rest, and community support
58:00 – Key takeaways from each discipline

Thank you to our sponsor, Lever Movement. Use code Casemiles for 20% off

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/interdisciplinary-case-miles--6623567/support.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow and subscribe so you never miss a case.

Have a question or a case you'd like us to explore on the show? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out anytime at runcasemiles@gmail.com.

Welcome to Interdisciplinary Case Miles, a podcast where real runner stories meet clinical expertise.

In Episode 11, Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards (PT), Dr. Sara Raiser (MD), and sports dietitian Kelsey Pontius break down a common but often misunderstood injury: shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome) in adolescent runners.

Using the case of a 15-year-old male cross-country runner with bilateral shin pain, the team explores why shin splints are so prevalent in this age group and how rapid growth, training load changes, biomechanics, footwear, surfaces, and nutrition all intersect. The discussion highlights the critical role of energy availability, especially during periods of rapid growth, and why skipping meals, inadequate fueling, and school-related barriers to eating can contribute to ongoing symptoms.

The hosts also discuss how shin splints can look very different depending on the athlete’s age and training history ranging from sudden spikes in mileage to more complex, layered cases involving chronic pain, stress, and low energy availability. From a physical therapy perspective, the episode covers gait patterns during growth spurts, strength and mobility needs, and the importance of collaborating with coaches and parents to support young athletes.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• What shin splints are and how they differ from other bone stress injuries
• Why adolescents are at higher risk during growth spurts
• The role of nutrition and energy availability in healing shin pain
• Common fueling challenges for high school athletes
• How training load, surfaces, shoes, and spikes affect shin stress
• Why interdisciplinary care leads to better outcomes for young runners

As always, this episode reinforces a core message of Interdisciplinary Case Miles: shin splints aren’t just a “training issue” or a “nutrition issue” they’re often both. Supporting young runners requires understanding the whole picture and meeting athletes where they are.

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A 41-year-old female runner and experienced half-marathoner develops mid-Achilles tendon pain, morning stiffness, and a noticeable bump along the tendon. Symptoms improve after warming up but return with longer runs, leaving her caught in the common cycle of pushing through pain, resting without progress, and uncertainty about what actually helps. She wonders if her tendon, “hurts at the start but warms up, is that okay?”

In this episode of Interdisciplinary Case Miles, Dr. Sara Raiser (MD) , Kelsey Pontius, and Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards (PT) discuss the clinical presentation of Achilles tendinopathy, why it often becomes chronic, and why complete rest is rarely the solution.Key topics include:

• Tendon loading principles and why tendons require progressive strength work
• Biomechanical contributors such as foot control, dorsiflexion limits, hip extension, and proximal weakness
• The role of perimenopause, estrogen changes, and life stress in tendon vulnerability
• Nutrition foundations for tendon healing, including energy availability, collagen synthesis, and carbohydrate support
• Practical considerations around footwear, heel-to-toe drop changes, and carbon-plated shoes

If you’re enjoying these conversations, please follow the podcast and take a moment to rate or review it. Sharing it with a runner, coach, or healthcare provider helps us reach the people who can make the biggest difference in athletes’ lives.This podcast is for runners at every level, the coaches guiding them, and the healthcare professionals who care for them. We believe interdisciplinary care leads to better outcomes  and stronger runners.

00:00 – Welcome to Interdisciplinary Case MilesHosts introduce the evidence-informed case format.
02:05 – Case Presentation: Mid-Achilles Pain in a Half-Marathon Runner
Morning stiffness, crepitus, tendon thickening, and pain that fluctuates during runs.
05:10 – Why These Cases Are Challenging
The warm-up effect, post-run soreness, and training “push-through” patterns.
08:20 – Medical Evaluation Priorities
Training changes, hormonal factors, surgery history, and load management.
12:30 – Tendons Require More Than Rest
Why conservative care emphasizes strength, mechanics, and progressive loading.
16:10 – Foot Posture and the Kinetic Chain
Rigid vs flexible feet, arches, glute engagement, and core contribution.
20:05 – Achilles Mechanics: The “Wringing Out” Effect
How pronation and poor control increase tendon stress.
24:40 – Running With Tendinopathy: Pain Monitoring Guidelines
When continued running can be appropriate and how to track symptom response.
28:10 – PT Interventions: Eccentrics, BFR, and Load Progression
Strength-based tendon rehab and improving blood flow.
32:45 – Nutrition for Tendon Healing
Energy availability, collagen synthesis decline with age, and micronutrient support.
37:20 – Collagen Supplement Timing and Practical Use
Why collagen works best 30–60 minutes before tendon loading.
41:10 – During-Run Fueling and Injury Risk
Carbohydrate needs, glycogen depletion, fatigue-related mechanics breakdown.
45:30 – Chronic Tendon Changes Take Time
Why tendinopathy develops over years and requires patience in rehab.
48:10 – Proximal Drivers: Low Back, Hip Extension, and Glute Function
How upstream issues overload the Achilles.
52:20 – Footwear Considerations and Heel-to-Toe Drop Shifts
Carbon-plated shoes, shoe rotation, cushion effects, and transition errors.
57:30 – Final Takeaways

• Sara: Tendon recovery takes time but allows continued activity
• Kelsey: Fueling protects long-term tissue health
• Kate: Rest alone fails tendons need load and strength adaptation

1:01:30 – Closing and Case Submission Info

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/interdisciplinary-case-miles--6623567/support.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow and subscribe so you never miss a case.

Have a question or a case you'd like us to explore on the show? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out anytime at runcasemiles@gmail.com.