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Cara Monkowski-
Track
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 Cara
is sophomore member of the track team. In the spring of 2001 she
began having pain in her left foot during long runs. She began rehab
with Stockton Athletic Training Services, but the pain did not improve
and actually worsened by the end of the spring track season. After
the season ended she was referred to Dr. Steve Zabinski, MD and
she was held out of running for the summer to rest her foot from
a suspected overuse injury. She returned for cross country camp
in August and the pain returned when she began running. This time
she had pain in both feet. Cara again began rehab. After an inconclusive
MRI, she was referred to a foot and ankle specialist. In the beginning
of November she saw Dr. Richard Braver, DPM. She underwent two unsuccessful
cortisone injections and then had a diagnostic ultrasound. The ultrasound
revealed she had neuromas in both feet between the 3rd and 4th metatarsals.
It was decided she would need surgery to remove the neuromas. She
was permitted to finish the cross country season and run during
the indoor track season while continuing rehab. The first surgery
took place on her left foot on 12/26/01. During the surgery a neuroma
was also discovered between the 4th and 5th metatarsals. On 1/10/02
the  second
surgery was performed on the right foot, where the same problems
were found. She was partial weight bearing after the surgery and
walking full weight bearing about 1 week post surgery. Upon her
return from the winter break she began her post surgery rehab at
Stockton. The casts were taken off her left foot on 1/14 and her
right foot on 1/25. Cara began non- weight bearing aerobic activity
in the beginning of February. She started a progressive walking
program in mid- February. Cara again began running on March 4th
and returned to practice on March 18th. She was cleared to run in
the team's first outdoor meet on 3/23. She completed the season
without incident and continued her rehab program 3 days per week
until the season ended. Cara did an outstanding job sticking with
her rehab throughout this long process and followed her protocol
explicitly to return to her sport as quickly as possible. |
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