The Foot Detective
Health, Fitness & Longevity
About
The Foot Detective Podcast is where foot pain gets treated like a case file — not a guessing game. Hosted by Sole Trace , each episode investigates the clues behind common foot and lower-limb problems: plantar heel pain, Achilles issues, shin pain, tendon trouble, nerve symptoms, toe stiffness, overload injuries, and the weird “why does it hurt there?” mysteries runners live with. Expect clear, evidence-led explanations in plain English, practical rehab and training tweaks you can actually use, and red flags you shouldn’t ignore. No gimmicks. No miracle gadgets. Just smart investigating, better understanding, and a plan that helps you get back to moving well. Feet don’t lie. I just follow the clues.
Episodes
- Case 025: The Front Line — Quadriceps Strain & Tear
This episode of The Foot Detective discusses quadriceps strain and tear injuries, detailing their causes, such as eccentric loading and poor preparation, and the vulnerability of the rectus femoris muscle. It covers injury grading, return-…
- Case 024: The Long Pull — Hamstring Strain & Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy
This episode of The Foot Detective discusses the differences between acute hamstring strain and proximal hamstring tendinopathy. It covers managing load, rebuilding strength, and returning to running, highlighting that not all hamstrings n…
- Case 023: The Unravelling — Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
This episode of The Foot Detective discusses anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, focusing on symptoms, diagnosis, and rehabilitation. It covers the mechanisms of injury, the role of MRI and surgery, and the importance of a comprehen…
- Case 022: The Torn Witness — Medial Meniscus Injury
This episode of The Foot Detective investigates medial meniscus injuries. It covers the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment approaches for this common knee issue, distinguishing between different types of tears and when surgery is necessary.
- Case 021: The Grind — Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner’s Knee)
This episode of The Foot Detective investigates Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, also known as Runner's Knee. It explores the mechanical factors contributing to kneecap pain, including weak quad control, hip instability, and foot pronation. T…
- The Holiday That Wasn’t — A Sole Trace Interlude season 3
During a holiday, the Foot Detective finds himself observing people's movements, leading to new cases focusing on knee issues. He realizes that the body continues to leave clues, even when on vacation, and collects his notebook to investig…
- Case 020: The Patella’s Complaint — Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner’s Knee)
This episode of The Foot Detective investigates Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, also known as Runner's Knee. It explores the causes of this condition, focusing on movement patterns, load tolerance, and inefficiencies in how the knee, hip, an…
- Case 019: Behind the Knee Popliteus Strain
In this episode of The Foot Detective, Case 019 investigates Popliteus Strain, focusing on posterior knee pain in runners. The discussion covers downhill running, cambered surfaces, and the mechanics of tibial rotation, highlighting the po…
- Case 018 - The Deep One - Soleus Strain
This episode of The Foot Detective examines soleus strains, a deep calf injury common in runners. It discusses how to differentiate it from gastrocnemius pain, its causes, and why strengthening, not stretching, is often the key to recovery…
- Case 017: The Forgotten Suspect Plantaris Strain
This episode of The Foot Detective delves into the Plantaris Strain, an often overlooked calf injury that presents with sudden calf pain and swelling. The discussion covers how it's frequently misdiagnosed as more common injuries, the role…
- Case 016: The Cushion Job
This episode of The Foot Detective addresses Heel Fat Pad Syndrome, distinguishing it from plantar fasciitis by focusing on the heel's cushioning rather than inflammation. It discusses factors like age, mileage, surface, and footwear, and…
- Case 015: The Crooked Angle Hallux Valgus (Bunion)
Case 015 discusses Hallux Valgus (bunions), a progressive deformity often starting subtly and altering foot mechanics. The episode details how this condition affects propulsion, the role of foot shape and footwear, and the potential for co…
- Case 014 - The Overreach
This episode of The Foot Detective examines the running gait pattern known as overstriding, where the foot lands ahead of the body’s center of mass, creating a braking force. It explores how this pattern contributes to recurring shin, knee…
- Case 013 - Death By Distance - Overtraining Syndrome
This episode of The Foot Detective discusses Cumulative Fatigue and Overtraining Syndrome, a condition where the body cannot keep pace with rising training loads. It covers the warning signs, how to differentiate it from normal training fa…
- Case 012: The Phantom Pain Maranoia
This episode of The Foot Detective explores Maranoia, a pre-race anxiety state where athletes misinterpret normal training sensations as signs of disaster. It discusses how to differentiate real injuries from heightened anxiety during tape…
- Case 011 - The Night Beat - Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome
This episode of The Foot Detective explores Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS), detailing how training load can exceed bone recovery capacity. It covers MTSS presentation, differentiation from stress fractures, and rehabilitation strateg…
- Case 010 - The Season Finale - The Tendon That Snapped in Broad Daylight
Case 010 of The Foot Detective explores peroneal tendon injuries, distinguishing them from typical ankle sprains. The episode details various causes, diagnostic methods including dynamic ultrasound, and treatment differences based on injur…
- case 009 - The Fracture That Wasn't on the X-Ray
This episode of The Foot Detective discusses navicular stress fractures, a deceptive injury in runners often missed on X-rays. It explores the causes, diagnostic challenges including imaging like CT and MRI, and the importance of immediate…
- Case 008 - The Slow Confession
Case 008 of The Foot Detective examines hallux rigidus, a condition impacting runners
- Case 007 - The Nerve That Went Underground
This episode of The Foot Detective discusses tarsal tunnel syndrome, a commonly misdiagnosed condition in runners often mistaken for plantar fasciitis. It covers how to identify nerve-related foot pain, potential causes of tibial nerve com…
- Case 006 - The Inside Job - Tibialis Posterior Tendonopathy
Case 006 of The Foot Detective covers tibialis posterior tendinopathy, exploring its gradual onset, typical causes like mileage creep and foot mechanics, and diagnostic clues. The episode outlines a treatment strategy focusing on tendon lo…
- Case 005 - Phantom of the Ankle - Chronic Ankle Sprain
Case 005 of The Foot Detective, 'Phantom of the Ankle,' examines chronic ankle instability, explaining that repeated sprains result from incomplete rehabilitation, ligament laxity, or other factors. Sole Trace investigates by assessing the…
- Case 004 - The Murder of the Metatarsal
Case 004 explores metatarsal pain, differentiating between metatarsalgia and potential stress fractures. The episode details symptoms like focal pain and swelling, common causes, and an evidence-based recovery plan focusing on offloading,…
- Case 003 - Mortons Neuroma
Case 003 of The Foot Detective focuses on Morton's Neuroma, detailing its symptoms such as pain, tingling, and numbness between the toes. The episode explains that it's often an irritated nerve compressed by factors like narrow shoes and d…
- Case 002 - Plantar Fasciitis
In Case 002, Sole Trace analyzes Plantar Fasciitis, identifying it as a load tolerance issue rather than true inflammation. The episode details symptoms, common causes like increased activity or footwear changes, and outlines a recovery st…
- Case 001 - Achilles Tendonopathy
This episode of The Foot Detective, Case 001, explores Achilles tendinopathy, explaining why it
- Introduction - Who is Det. Sole Trace
The Foot Detective podcast, hosted by Sole Trace, tackles foot and lower-limb issues by investigating clues behind problems like plantar heel pain and Achilles issues. The podcast offers evidence-led explanations and practical advice for r…