Soccer is the worlds most popular sport. Many adults as well as children and teenagers play soccer in San Diego. Soccer injuries are common and typically easy to diagnose and correct. Common soccer injuries are plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis, shin splints, patella tendonitis, Osgood Shlatter's, calf, hamstring and quadricep strains and ankle sprains. All off these conditions are treated quickly and effectively by Dr. Runco and his staff. Dr. Runco used to serve as one of the team physicians for the Bay Area Seals mens professional soccer team and from 2001-2003 he was the team physician for the San Diego Gauchos mens professional soccer team. During this time he treated hundreds of soccer injuries and helped many players achieve their goal of playing in the MLS. A patient can expect on their inital visit to have a thorough history followed by a comprehensive orthopedic and biomechanical examination. After an accurate diagnosis is given Dr. Runco will provide a written report of any treatment recommendations, prescriptions for X-ray or MRI, and recommenadation for a home therapy program. Home therapy programs usually consist of a stretching and/or strengthening program, self massage using a foam roller or massage stick, bracing or taping and sport modifcations if necessary. "I believe that patients and athletes need to take an active role in thier recovery. By teaching them what is wrong and how they can help themselves to correct it I find patients recover from their problem quickly and usually can prevent the problem from occuring again. I also feel that superrvising patients while they rehab is a waste of my time and their money. Athletes are perfectly capable of being shown what to do and then carrying it out on thier own."
"Doc, I have to admit I was a little skepticle. I had seen some of the top "Sports doctors" in town and they ALL agreed I needed my knee scoped. When you diagnosed me with a strained MCL and showed me a simple home rehab program and told me to wear a compression sleeve on my knee I figured I might as well try. 6 treatments and 3 weeks later I was back to playing in my adult indoor soccer league, no pain and no surgery. What the hell were they going to operate on?"
