The growth of running and running related events has skyrocketed over the years due to it being a low cost and very accessible form of physical activity. Running has been shown to help promote physical fitness and healthier lifestyles. Although running does have its benefits, it also possesses downfalls such as developing injuries and conditions which can be debilitating and can even halt physical activity.
Running related injuries and conditions are often a result of repetitive stress at certain positions of the body with improper loading and poor biomechanics to blame for.
Here are some common injuries and conditions which are often seen with running and running related sports:
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS)
- A common knee condition with runners and athletes where individuals present with knee pain often around the patellar or behind it. While the cause is still unclear, some factors that can contribute to the development include: poor patellar tracking and muscle imbalance, overactivity and overload, and trauma.
Plantar fasciitis
- A condition affecting the heel and bottom of the feet which causes pain underneath the heel and around the arch of the feet. This is often due to increased loading through the foot and ankle and/or changes in footwear impacting the arch of the foot. A common symptom for this condition is complaint of pain first thing in the morning with the first step of the day or getting up from prolonged sitting.
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS)
- Also known as shin splints, MTSS is characterised by pain along the front of the shin often seen during the start of a run that gets better during and worse again after activity. The cause is still unclear however the current literature suggests repetitive stress from running or jumping leads to microdamage and is often unmanaged well.
Patellar Tendinopathy
- Patellar tendinopathy presents as pain along the front of the knee, typically around the bottom of the patellar. This condition often arises due to repetitive stress to the patellar tendon as a result of strenuous running or jumping. There are several factors which can predispose individuals to this condition which include: ligamentous laxity, quadriceps and hamstring tightness, overload to the knee, body weight and many others.
The development of injuries and conditions related to running are often patient specific and therefore a thorough assessment and examination is required to treat the limitations of patients.
If you think you may have a running related injury or a condition because of running, it may be a good idea to come in and see one of the osteopaths at Canterbury Health Hub. Here we can provide a comprehensive assessment, treatment, and management plan to meet your needs and goals.