Common Running Injuries
Running sports have become more en vogue in recent years with the increasing popularity of marathons and “tough mudders.” Typically running sports are most popular during the warmer months of the year, because with the warm weather comes more and more people “pounding the pavement.”
The most frequent injury runners suffer from is the lower extremity stress fracture. In addition to stress fractures, ankle sprains and foot ailments are very common. These injuries are common with runners who do a great deal of frequent training with little periods of rest. As a result, the bones in the lower legs react to the stresses being placed on them and create pain.
Stress reaction injuries like stress fractures are very difficult for runners because the best treatment is no running for a period of time.
A focused stretching program for the entire lower extremity, hip and core strengthening, and intermittent rest are the best way to reduce the risk of injury.
Hip
- Snapping Hip Syndrome
- Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITB)
Lower Leg
- Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (aka “shin splints”)
- Stress Fractures of the Tibia
Foot
- Stress Fractures of the Foot