Have a great sports medicine specialist (specifically for runners)?

[Anonymous]

I am an addicted runner and have recently started having knee problems for the first time in my life. I am very eager to know what I can do--if anything--to clear up the problem so that I can run again, or, if worse comes to worse, at least prevent it from getting worse and get solid advice on a different form of exercise to adopt.

I have had a few sports med recommendations from friends, but none take insurance. Does anyone have a great recommendation (details on what they did for you would be really appreciated) for someone who takes insurance? We have Aetna PPO, if that matters. I am in NW DC but would go anywhere in DC or the close-in suburbs (i.e., Bethesda or Arlington but not Laurel or Herndon).

[Anonymous]

Start with changing to minimalist shoes.

[Anonymous]

I would NOT get minimalist shoes. I'd contact ProAction physical therapy in Rockville--worth the trip and $--specifically Rachel Miller. They can refer from there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am an addicted runner and have recently started having knee problems for the first time in my life. I am very eager to know what I can do--if anything--to clear up the problem so that I can run again, or, if worse comes to worse, at least prevent it from getting worse and get solid advice on a different form of exercise to adopt.

I have had a few sports med recommendations from friends, but none take insurance. Does anyone have a great recommendation (details on what they did for you would be really appreciated) for someone who takes insurance? We have Aetna PPO, if that matters. I am in NW DC but would go anywhere in DC or the close-in suburbs (i.e., Bethesda or Arlington but not Laurel or Herndon).

Gene Mirkin is a Podiatrist in Kensington, MD. His father is Gabe Mirkin - one of the first "sports medicine" practitioners in the area and fairly well known. Gene was a world class runner for his age growing up, and would probably be a good source of information/consultation OR he will know someone else to refer you.

[Anonymous]

"Start with changing to minimalist shoes." This is a perfect example of why none of us should ask medical questions on this site. What a ridiculous answer from someone who knows nothing about the OP. And, if the OP were simple enough to follow these directions, serious injury could occur.
Go ask your primary care physician or other real-life friends who run.....
Seriously.

[Anonymous]

OP here: No worries, I'm not switching to running in socks.

And I have plenty of real-life runner friends, but get conflicting "advice" from all of them and have collected very few useful sports doctor recommendations; none take insurance, and many are just too far away for me to fit in with 2 kids and a job. My primary care doctor's referrals have always been useless. That's why I asked here.