Running is a popular form of exercise that offers numerous health benefits. You should know that Dr. Lindsey Calligaro is already set to participate in the women’s race of the September 22nd Ironman World Championship in Nice, France!
Here’s the thing: running is a high-impact pastime. And however careful you might be, that impact adds up over time. Not to worry, however! In this blog post, Wayne Foot & Ankle will discuss some of the most common running injuries and provide tips for prevention, too.
What Kind of Injuries Will I Face?
In most cases, the injuries you’ll sustain as a runner fall into two categories: acute or overuse.
- Acute Injuries, which occur suddenly and stem from traumatic sources, such as sprains, strains, fractures, and dislocations.
- Overuse Injuries, which occur over time from repetitive stress on a specific body part.
Typical Troubles
All of the injuries below are bound to pop up for dedicated runners, but fortunately, they’re both preventable and solvable.
Plantar fasciitis is a common running injury characterized by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes.
- It is often caused by overuse or tight calf muscles, so warm-up stretches can be effective preventative measures.
Achilles tendonitis is another common running injury that results from inflammation of the Achilles tendon, the largest tendon in the body.
- Overuse or sudden changes in training intensity can contribute to this condition, which means gradually increasing your activity is often the best way to prevent it.
Runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome) is characterized by pain in the front of the knee.
- Misalignment of the knee joint or overuse often causes it, so consider shock absorbing footwear or perhaps custom orthotics designed for athletic pursuits.
Shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome) involve pain along the shinbone and are typically caused by overuse or inadequate footwear.
- You can stay a step ahead of this problem by choosing the right pair of shoes.
That’s all for now! We hope these tips keep you fleet-footed for whatever race you’re running next.
Experiencing some runner’s remorse? Dr. Lindsey Calligaro at Wayne Foot & Ankle Center is happy to help. We’ve got the top tools, modern techniques, and proven expertise to treat your feet. Contact us today!
