Can I Run with a Ritchie Brace?

[Ultramo]

Wow, a forum for athletes!. I've finally been diagnosed with Stage II PTTD. It's been a long journey determining the conditon and making corrections. I do have an aggressive orthotic and I just bought motion control shoes and I now wear a butterfly wrap on my foot.

I just started phycial therapy. My calves are extremely tight as well as the opposite leg achilles tendon.

I have a consulation for a Ritchie brace (similar product). My question to the forum is this.

Have any other runners/hikers been able to function wearing the brace? Trail running and/or hiking?

Has the brace helped to heal the torqued tendons and allow for strength to build in the supporting muscles/tendons?

Any insight and encouragement would be helpful. My condition took a few years to develop, it's taken almost two to finally figure out the extent of the damage and I want to avoid surgery at all costs.

I also want to be able to return to hiking/trail running and/or regular running. My past running includes numerous extreme events and distances such as ultramarathons and fastpacks. My claim to fame is my strength/ability on hills/mountains.

I've been a good girl and have backed off to take care of this and make sure I do what I need to do. It's just that most of the information I get comes from those in the medical community who deal with senior citizens with this condition. I am an extremely active, healthy 49 year old.

Any input would be appreciated.

Regards,
Maureen Moran

[Dr. D]

Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD, also called Adult Acquired Flatfoot) commonly develops in women in the 5th decade of life, many who are very active. It is true that the Richie Brace is used more commonly in an older, less mobile group of people, but recently the Richie Brace has become more popular for treating PTTD in athletes. In many cases, the brace may only have to be worn for a year and then the condition may be able to be managed with orthotics only. Considering you've had the condition for two years, the tendon most likely has some degeneration and attenuation (elongation/permanently stretched) and there is most likely some ligament involvement as well. Physical therapy will be important as well as the shoe/orthotic combination.

The Richie Brace was not designed for running, but it will be interesting to hear from other people if they have had success with hiking/running in the brace.