Common Running Injuries

While running is considered to be a great cardio exercise and is highly recommended for keeping fit, runners can face a range of injuries affecting the hips, thighs, knees, legs, ankles and feet. Injuries are very common for professional runners. Running injuries may be caused either by the own intrinsic factors of the body or result from extrinsic factors. Many of them are serious in nature and may take a long time to heal. Precautions and right training are a must to avoid such injuries and keep you safe. This article explains the common injuries that are experienced by runners.

In hip bursitis, inflammation of the bursa over the outside of the hip joint is experienced, which can cause pain in hip movement.

 

Three distinct hip problems are identified in the category of snapping hip syndrome. The first problem occurs when the Iliotibial Band snaps outside of the thigh. In the second problem, the deep hip flexor snaps over the front of the hip joint. In the third type of hip problem, tearing of the cartilage (or labrum) around the hip pocket causes a snapping sensation.

 

Iliotibial Band spans from the hip to the shin and when this band becomes inflamed and tender, ITBS is caused.

 

A common sports injury, pulled hamstring is an injury to the muscle that is seen mostly in sprinters.

 

Athletes who participate in high impact games are more likely to suffer from hip-stress fractures. They are common in long distance runners.

 

Injuries relating to patella or kneecap and several common injuries known as chondromalacia, patellar tendonitis or generalized knee pain can be categorized as Patellofemoral Syndrome. The injury is also known as 'Runner's Knee'.

 

Chronic knee pain is experienced in a dislocating kneecap injury, along with acute symptoms, during dislocation.

 

Irritation in the lining of the knee joint is identified as Plica syndrome. Knee pain is caused, if the tissue becomes inflamed.

 

Problems with the muscles, bones, or with the muscle bone attachment can cause shin splint pain.

 

Stress fractures of the hip are more common in female runners, as compared to males. Eating disorders or nutritional deficiency may lead to stress fractures.

 

EICS causes pain over the front of the leg, whenever the leg is moved to action. A surgery called fasciotomy is done to relieve the symptoms.

 

Sprains in the ankles are very common in runners. Early recognition and treatment is called for treating ankle ligament injuries.

 

Pain in the tendon, located in the back of the ankle, is to be identified as Achilles Tendonitis. Risk of Achilles tendon rupture is high, if the condition is left untreated.

 

In Plantar Fasciitis, pain in the heels is experienced due to inflammation of the thick ligament in the base of the foot.

 

Overpronation can lead to alterations in the normal mechanics of the gait cycle. This happens when there is excessive motion of the foot through the gait cycle.

 

Arch pain causes inflammation and a burning sensation under the arch of the foot. Sometimes, arch pain is also called a strain.