“Although running is a great way to stay active, many runners have to deal with an injury at some point. If you’re like many runners, you may be logging hundreds of miles per year. But the repetitive impact of all those foot strikes can take a toll on your muscles, joints & connective tissue. According to a 2015 review, the knees, legs & feet, are the most common injury areas for runners” [1]
The Low Down on Running Injuries
Did you know that 80% of running injuries are due to repetitive stress? (Although sudden injuries such as a torn muscle or sprained ankle can happen as well [1]. So let’s take a look at the location-specific frequency of running injuries:
- Foot: 5.7 to 39.3%
- Ankles: 3.9 to 16.6%
- Lower leg: 9.0 to 32.2%
- Knees: 7.2 to 50%
- Upper leg: 3.4 to 38.1%
- Hips/pelvis/groin: 3.3 to 11.5%
- Lower back: 5.3 to 19.1% [1].
Knowing the Names & Symptoms of 3 Common Running Injuries
Runner’s Knee: This relates to pain around the kneecap, or at the front of the knee. The pain can be:
- Dull and felt in just one or both knees
- Mild to extremely painful
- Exacerbated by prolonged exercise or sitting down
- Worse when squatting, climbing the stairs, or jumping [1].
A Pain Specialist can often diagnosis runner’s knee after conducting a physical exam.
Achilles Tendinitis: This refers to inflammation at the site of the tendon which connects the calf muscle to the heel. If you believe that you have this condition, then it’s very important to arrange a consultation with a Pain Specialist as soon as possible. – This is because: “if left untreated, Achilles tendinitis increases your risk of rupturing your Achilles tendon. If this tendon is torn, it usually requires surgery to repair it” [1]. Symptoms include:
- Dull pain in the lower leg above the heel
- Swelling along the Achilles tendon
- A warm sensation over the tendon
- A restricted scope of motion when flexing the foot towards the shin [1].
Shin Splints: This describes experiencing pain in the inner parts or front of the lower legs along the shin bone. Seeing a Pain Consultant at the earliest possible opportunity is essential, as if: “left untreated, they can develop into stress fractures” [1]. Symptoms include;
- A dull pain along the inner part or front of the shin bone
- Pain which is exacerbated on exercising
- Mild inflammation
- Tenderness to the touch [1].
Reference
[1]. Yeman, D. (2020). “The 8 Most Common Running Injuries.” Healthline.
