Interdisciplinary Case Miles

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 & introductions01:00 Case overview: 25-year-old runner with IT Band Syndrome04:30 Biomechanical findings: hip drop, knee valgus & overpronation08:30 Dr. Raiser’s medical insights: stress, pain patterns & recovery timelines12:30 Nutrition perspective: hydration, collagen & inflammation support16:00 PT approach: manual therapy, strength work & when to start gait retraining20:40 Footwear clues & common shoe/orthotic mistakes22:30 Key takeaways: patience, stress awareness & long-term strength development23:50 Closing thoughts & call to actionBecome 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.

In this episode of Interdisciplinary Case Miles, hosts Dr. Sara Raiser, Kelsey Pontius, and Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards 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 Highlights00:00  Welcome & introductions01:10 Kelsey presents the case: male runner with recurring stress injuries07:45 Understanding reactive hypoglycemia and RED-S10:20 Dr. Reiser explains femoral neck stress fractures & key lab work16:50  Dr. Edwards on rehab, biomechanics, and safe return-to-run23:30  The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration28:40 Top takeaways for clinicians & athletesBecome 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.

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.Timestamps0:00 – Welcome & why anterior hip pain is often misdiagnosed4:30 – Case intro: 32-year-old runner/triathlete with hip & groin pain8:15 – Red flags: femoral neck stress fracture vs. hip flexor vs. FAI13:00 – Pelvic floor clues & the diaphragm–pelvic floor piston18:45 – Gait mechanics, arm swing, and hidden rotation issues23:30 – Nutrition, hormones & pelvic floor muscle health28:50 – Lever system: managing load while rehabbing hips33:10 – Final takeaways: physician, dietitian, and PT perspectivesBecome 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.Timestamps0:00 – Welcome & sponsor intro3:30 – Case intro: 17-year-old high school runner with abdominal wall/groin pain8:15 – Differential diagnosis: hernia, sports hernia, hip pathology, stress fracture14:00 – Why imaging often comes back “normal” & how to set expectations19:30 – Physical therapy perspective: thoracic spine, breathing, trunk control25:40 – Nutrition, fueling, and the risk of under-eating in injured adolescent athletes32:10 – Mental health & the identity struggle of the sidelined teen runner38:30 – The role of coaches and parents in the recovery plan45:15 – Lever system & safe return-to-run training tools50:00 – Final interdisciplinary takeawaysBecome 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 introduction4:15 – Case intro: professional marathoner postpartum9:00 – 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 teamwork41:40 – RED-S, underfueling & blood sugar regulation50:10 – Long-term recovery, rest, and community support58:00 – Key takeaways from each disciplineBecome 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.

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 shoutout4:30 – Case intro: former collegiate runner with anterior knee pain9:15 – Physician’s perspective: imaging, biomechanics & tendinopathy15:00 – Nutrition, hydration & lifestyle after college athletics22:40 – Stress, recovery, and the mental load of long-term pain29:30 – The role of gait, bike fit, and strength training38:00 – Why multiple providers often miss the bigger picture45:15 – Interdisciplinary takeawaysBecome 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 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 Miles3:00 – Why we started this podcast6:30 – Case intro: Proximal hamstring tendinopathy9:45 – 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 steps36:30 – Sprinting, eccentrics & progressive loading42:00 – Mental fatigue, missed diagnoses & patient advocacy47:15 – Final takeaways from each expertBecome 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.