Running Injury Advice

Fungal infections of the toenails in runners are common. The fungus thrives in the wet and damp environment of the shoe, and this is especially true in runners as they subject the toenails to so much trauma. The treatment for this is prolonged with the use of either oral or topical medications. The chance of the infection happening again after (or during!) treatment is high doe to that environment inside the shoe. Recently there has been a lot of hype surrounding the use of nail laser treatment. This is a one off treatment.

My advice for nail laser treatment:

1. The FDA has approved it as being safe (that does not mean it works)
2. There are no independent clinical trials comparing it to a placebo or the current treatments
3. There are only the results from small uncontrolled outcome studies that have not been published for peer review done by the companies selling the laser device
4. The treatment is expensive and as it is still considered experimental, the insurance companies in the US are not covering it

None of this means that it does not work. All this means is we do not know. All we have are the current unsupported claims by those with a vested financial interest.

My advice: You need to make your own mind up on this one.

For more, see:
Nail Laser Treatment