Friction foot blisters are one of the most common injuries encountered by hikers and runners(1) with incidence as high as 39% in marathoners(2). In adventure races it is the most commonly reported injury(3) and in expedition length ultramarathons, blisters account for nearly 74% of medical visits(4). While most blisters are of minor medical significance, they can impair concentration, decrease athletic performance, and can be potentially debilitating.~The specific aim of this study is to evaluate whether RockTape has similar efficacy to Elastikon in the treatment of foot blisters in ultramarathon runners. Elastikon with paper tape and spray adhesive is a well-accepted means of blister treatment and has been used by medical staff at over 50 multi-stage ultramarathons around the world. RockTape is another commercially available product that has also been used by runners successfully to treat foot blisters. RockTape's adhesive qualities have a potential advantage over Elastikon, in that it does not require an additional adhesive substituting a level of complexity, weight, and cost for foot care. There have been no studies examining the efficacy of either agent for blister treatment.~This randomized controlled trial will compare the traditional method of treating blisters with a multi-step approach of percutaneous drainage, paper tape, spray adhesive and then Elastikon to percutaneous drainage, paper tape and RockTape.
The specific aim of this study is to evaluate whether RockTape has similar efficacy to Elastikon in the treatment of foot blisters in ultramarathon runners. Elastikon with paper tape and spray adhesive is a well-accepted means of blister treatment and has been used by medical staff at over 50 multi-stage ultramarathons around the world. RockTape is another commercially available product that has also been used by runners successfully to treat foot blisters. RockTape's adhesive qualities have a potential advantage over Elastikon, in that it does not require an additional adhesive substituting a level of complexity, weight, and cost for foot care. There have been no studies examining the efficacy of either agent for blister treatment.~This randomized controlled trial will compare the traditional method of treating blisters with a multi-step approach of percutaneous drainage, paper tape, spray adhesive and then Elastikon to percutaneous drainage, paper tape and RockTape.