As you continue to run towards health, it is important to be aware of the most common running injuries. In our previous article, we talked on the basic benefits of running. Now we will shed light on the potential hazards that come with it.

Common Running Injuries

According to Runner’s World, a trusted platform for runners, the most common injuries associated with running are:

1. Runner’s Knee
2. Achilles Tendonitis
3. Hamstring Issues
4. Plantar Fasciitis
5. Shin Splints
6. Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS)
7. Stress Fracture

Let’s ‘run’ over them!

Runner’s Knee

Runner’s knee is usually indicated by tenderness in and/or around the kneecap. It commonly afflicts runners, although it can affect other athletes.

Be sure to request a meeting with your physiotherapist if you experience twinges of pain in and/or around the knee when you begin to run, which may lessen while running, and then flare back up after the run is over.

Achilles Tendonitis

When the Achilles tendon comes under too much stress, it can tighten and get irritated, resulting in pain to the back of the foot/ankle.

If you have a dull pain in your heel during and after a run, be sure to make an appointment with physiotherapy right away. Although at-home remedies like applying ice can relieve the symptoms, it is better to fix the problem before it progresses to something worse.

Hamstring Issues

When pain and tightness at the back of the thighs is restricting your movement and flexibility, you may have some hamstring issues. These usually arise a result of weak hamstring muscles, typically from being either too long or too short. Basically: those who are extremely flexible are just as much at risk as those who can’t even touch their toes.

It is important to book a session with physiotherapy if you experience a constant ache or tightness to the back of your legs while running. Even though you can ease the symptoms with a slower pace or a shorter stride, you’re better off getting checked out before it progresses to something worse—such as a pop, snap, or bruise.

Plantar Fasciitis

Due to small tears and inflammation to the tendons and ligaments of your foot, you will experience pain that feels like a dull ache or bruise along your heel or arch.

Make an appointment with physiotherapy when you have foot pain the moment you get on your feet. While it may calm over the day, it is important to avoid further injury by seeking professional help.

Shin Splints

Described as an achy pain that spreads down your shins, shin splints are a result of small tears occurring around your shinbone that have the potential to lead to something more serious.

If there’s a tightness and ache around your shin while running, please request an appointment with your physiotherapist. Even though you may be able to walk, run, or even jump, it is important to take preventative measures before the tears devolve into a much more serious condition.

Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS)

When you experience pain running down the outer area of the knee joint, your iliotibial band—which runs along the outside of your thigh and connects the hip to the knee and shin—is usually irritated.

Since it occurs at the knee, it can commonly be mistaken for a knee injury. This makes it much more important to seek help when you experience pain and tightness on the outside of your knee while running. Please make an appointment with physiotherapy in order to prevent a more drastic situation.

Stress Fracture

The constant impact of activity while running can put too much strain on the feet, heel bones, or shins. This could potentially lead to a stress fracture—a very serious running injury.

Since stress fractures happen over time instead of all in one moment, they can actually be prevented. Due to this, it is important to seek help and book an appointment with a physiotherapist right away when you experience pain while running or when on your feet too long.

If you find yourself experiencing any one or more of these potential hazards, please take your next ‘step’ towards recovery and make an appointment right away. For further information regarding exercise, check out our related blogs.