Running Injuries

Running is a sport that requires endurance, strong cardiovascular conditioning, coordination and agility, balance, and overall body strength. Due to the repetitive nature of running and the impact that it places on the body, the lower back and legs are continuously placed under a moderate level of stress and require proper equipment and technique.

This being said, the surface in which the running takes place on can also make a difference in the level of stress the body is placed under. For example, running on grass will have less of an impact of the body when compared to running on pavement.

Hence, many of the injuries associated with running involve the lower back, core area, and all lower body joints and soft tissue; including sprains, strains, and degeneration of joints like the knees and ankles.

Below is a list of the most common injuries associated with regularly performing a running routine.

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles Tendonitis typically occurs when a repetitive stress is placed on the tendon and gradually causes the tendon to become inflamed.

Ankle Sprains

Ankle Sprains occur through a twisting motion or a movement that causes the ankle to roll, causing minor tears in the ankle ligaments.

Arch Pain

Arch Pain is used to describe the symptoms associated with inflammation of the tissues under and within the middle of the foot.

Athlete's Foot

Athlete's Foot is a fungus growth that can occur on the feet and rapidly spread when the feet are exposed to a moist warm environment.

Backaches and Stress

Backaches may often occur from excess stress originating from the spine, muscles or nerves of the back region. Backaches due to stress may be a precursor to chronic lower back pain, and should therefore be taken seriously.

Back Sprains and Strains

Back Sprains and Strains are extremely common and can in range in severity from a dull pain to a highly acute sharp pain.

Blisters

Blisters are typically caused by friction between the skin and a surface and produces a fluid filled sacs on the surface of the skin.

Cartilage Injuries and Knee Disorders

Cartilage Injuries are related to damage and/or loss of cartilage that cause debilitating pain, stiffness and swelling of the knee area.

Chondromalacia

Chondromalacia is damage to the cartilage located under the kneecap and if left untreated can lead to severe degeneration.

Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness

Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness is believed to be due to inflammation caused by muscle damage, however, it is not fully understood.

Groin Pull

Groin Pulls range from a minor stretch to a complete rupture of the adductor brevis, magnus and longus muscle groups.

Hamstring, Pull, Tear or Strain

Hamstrings Pull or Tear injuries are related to continuous running where quick accelerations, decelerations and sudden turns are made.

Heel Spurs

Heel Spurs are calcium deposits that form on the back of the heel when continual tension is placed on the plantar fascia.

Herniated Disks

Herniated Disks occur when the spinal vertebrae have been compressed and force the disk between the vertebrae outward.

Iliotibial Band Syndrome

Iliotibial Band Syndrome is related to the iliotibial band becoming irritated and inflamed and causing pain throughout the entire knee area.

Low Back Pain

Low Back Pain is quite common and can be reduced by maintaining a healthy weight and strong back, oblique, and abdominal muscles.

Meniscus Injuries of the Knee

Meniscus Injuries of the Knee are evident by inflammation and pain assocaited with the outside and/or inside of the knee area.

Muscle Cramps

Muscle Cramps typically occur within the muscles of the lower portion of the body and are involuntary muscle contractions and spasms.

Muscle Sprains and Strains

Muscle Sprains and Strains are injuries associated with the ligament that connects bone to bone (Sprain) or connects muscle to bone (Strain).

Muscle Strains of the Back

Muscle Strains of the Back occur when the muscle fibers of the back are overly stretched and/or torn causing acute pain and soreness.

Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Osteoarthritis of the Knee is the degeneration of the cartilage within the knee joint that is located between the femur and tibia bones.

Overtraining Syndrome

Overtraining Syndrome occurs in individuals that do not allow their body the necessary time to recover from an aggressive exercise routine.

Patellar Tendonitis & Ruptured Tendons

Patellar Tendonitis and Ruptured Tendons (aka Jumper's Knee) involve the tendon that connects the patella to the tibia bone.

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome is related to the way the patella tracks and moves along the groove of the femur bone.

Piriformis Syndrome

Piriformis Syndrome is defined as the piriformis muscle pressing on the sciatic nerve and is located inside the the pelvis.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis is the inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick fibrous band of tissue located on the bottom surface of the foot.

Pulled or Strained Calf Muscle

Pulled or Strained Calf Muscle occurs when part of the soleus or gastrocnemius muscles of the lower leg are torn from the Achilles tendon.

Shin Splints

Shin Splints injuries are generally due to an accumulation of repetitive stress on the front of the lower leg where the shin bone is located.

Stress Fracture of the Foot

Stress Fractures can occur when an overload of stress is placed on the foot, resulting in small fractures of the toe or metatarsal bones.