Most Common Foot Injuries from Running

Common Foot Injuries Caused by RunningEven the best runners will suffer from a foot injury from time to time. As with any sport, there is always a risk for injury. However, there are some injuries that are more common than others. From minor injuries to more severe ones that require long-term recovery, it is important to be aware and how to possibly avoid getting hurt again in the future.

Suffered a Foot Injury from Running? Get Timely Treatment

These injuries are commonly seen in part-time and full-time runners:

  • Runner’s Knee – More formally known as patellofemoral pain syndrome, this irritation of the knee’s cartilage on the underside of the patella accounts for 40 percent of running injuries. Anyone can suffer from PFPS, but risk factors include weak quads, hips or glutes and excessive inward foot rolling (over pronation). You can prevent this injury by shortening your running stride and landing with a slight bend in your knee. Also, strengthening your quads and glutes and stretching your hip flexors will help too.
  • Achilles Tendonitis – The Achilles tendon connects your major calf muscles to the back of the heel. If under too much stress, the tendon will tighten and become irritated, leading to tendonitis. This typically occurs when a runner increases the stress of their training too fast and has naturally tight, weak calves. You can avoid this by strengthening and stretching your calves daily and avoiding aggressive stretching.
  • Hamstring Injuries – These happen because the muscles in your hamstrings are weak (because they are too long or too short). Also, if you suffer from muscle imbalance – such as quadriceps that are stronger than your hamstrings – you may be more prone to this injury. You can avoid hamstring issues by stretching your hamstrings more frequently.
  • Plantar Fasciitis – This occurs when small tears of the tendons and ligaments along your heel to your toes occur. The pain is a dull ache that is typically worse in the morning. If you have very high or very low arches, you are vulnerable. You can avoid this with custom orthotics designed to compensate for your low or high arches.
  • Shin splints – This type of pain occurs when small tears happen around your shin bone. They are more common for new runners or those returning to running after an extended period of time off. The easiest way to prevent these is by gradually increasing how much you run and always running with an appropriate running shoe.

Receiving Treatment for Your Foot Injury

If you have any type of running injury, you may want to visit a podiatrist for proper diagnosis and treatment. Because some injuries are hard to self-diagnose, seeing a podiatrist ensures you are rehabilitating the injury correctly and you will learn how to properly avoid that injury in the future.

If you wish to consult or get your foot injury treated, give us a call today at 647-989-7794 to book an appointment with our specialized chiropodist.

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