Running can be a great sport filled with healthy cardiovascular benefits. If you’ve taken up this healthy hobby, you’ve likely had an injury or two. Most runners will experience injuries from time to time. Identifying the injury is the first part of bouncing back quickly.
Runner’s Knee
Runner’s knee, also known as patellofemoral syndrome or PFS, is a painful condition that is characterized by inflammation around and behind the front of the kneecap. This injury is typically brought on by overuse. In some patients, underlying weakness in their hips and muscles surrounding the knee makes them more susceptible to this painful condition. Runners who develop PFS should stay away from high-impact activities. Typically, rest and gentle stretching exercises are recommended to bounce back from this condition.
Achilles Tendinitis
Another common condition that runners experience is Achilles tendinitis. This refers to inflammation that happens at the tendon that connects the heel to the calf muscles. Most runners will experience this injury as they increase the intensity or mileage of their run. Make sure you are listening to your body if you are training for a race or looking to increase your daily distance. If you feel pain that doesn’t go away after a day or two above the back of your heel, it could be Achilles tendinitis. It’s best to seek the assistance of a sports medicine doctor to treat this injury, as leaving it untreated could put you at a higher risk for rupturing the tendon.
IT Band Syndrome
Iliotibial band or IT band syndrome is a common issue in runners. The IT band is the long connective tissue that runs on the outer side of the hip all the way down to the knee. The job of the IT band is to stabilize the knee during the actions of running or walking. When repetitive friction between the IT band and the leg bone occurs, it can cause tenderness in the IT band. This typically is a result of an overly tight IT band in the runner. You can differentiate this type of injury by paying attention to when the pain is the most intense. If you feel it the most when your knee is bent at a slight angle or just after stepping down on your foot, it could be IT band syndrome.
Shin Splints
Known formally as tibial stress syndrome, shin splints are a condition in which the inner parts and the front of the lower leg have pain. When a runner increases their running volume very quickly, they’re likely to experience this condition. Proper rest will allow these shin splints to go away. If you continue to run through the pain caused by the shin splints, they could turn into a stress fracture. This is a more serious condition that will require medical assistance.
Running can be a great way to stay fit and active. However, you need to be prepared to handle injuries as they occur. The above are four of the most common injuries that most runners will deal with at some point in time.
