Running as a form of exercise is one of the most popular and effective ways to stay in shape and achieve overall fitness.
Currently, there are more than 40 million Americans that run regularly as a way to stay physically fit, with approximately 80% of injuries related to running caused by repetitive stress.
If you believe that you may be suffering from a common running injury, the following are some of the typical symptoms along with treatment options that have been proven to be effective.
Common Running Injuries
Runner’s Knee also referred to as patellofemoral syndrome, runner’s knee refers to the pain in or around the kneecap, a common injury for those that participate in sports that center around running or jumping.
Weak hips or or muscles around the knee put runners at further risk for developing runner’s knee, a pain that:
- Ranges in severity from mild to extremely painful
- Progresses with prolonged exercise or sitting
- Is dull and felt in one or both of the knees
- Accelerates when climbing stairs, squatting, or jumping
Achilles Tendinitis
This ailment refers to inflammation of tendons which connects the calf muscle to the heel. Achilles tendinitis can also occur after increasing the intensity or duration of your running workouts.
When left untreated, you run the risk of rupturing your Achilles tendons.
If it is torn, surgery is typically required to repair it. Common symptoms include:
- Dulling sensation in the lower leg above the heel
- Swelling along the Achilles tendon
- Limited range of motion when flexing the foot towards the shin
- Warm sensation over tendon
Actions Following Diagnosis
All of these conditions can be diagnosed with a physical exam and possibly an X-ray as a follow-up to rule out other underlying conditions. Once a diagnosis has been made, a physical therapist can provide a treatment plan specific to the injury.
