From Plantar fasciitis to shin splints, let’s take a look at some common running injuries.
With the fun run season just about in full swing, and the Melbourne Marathon less than two weeks away, it’s the perfect time to make sure your body is capable of taking on your designated run.
Unfortunately, with increases in training load, there is consequentially an increase in injury. This time of year will often see runners encountering either old or new ailments that threaten to effect preparation from their specific event.
Common injuries that are seen through a range of experience levels include:
- Patello-Femoral Joint Syndrome (Knee cap pain)
- Plantar fasciitis
- Medial-Tibial Stress Syndrome (‘Shin Splints’)
Patello-Femoral Joint Syndrome (PFJS)
PFJ pain is identified by pain and soreness that is generated from the kneecap, this may be both while running, as well as post run. PFJS may also be symptomatic on stairs. It has an increased incidence in those who have either had sustained increased in running loads or may be new or returning to running.
PFJS is generally a result of poor lower limb mechanics and may be a combination of tight musculature in the lateral thigh and hip, as well as weakness through the inner thigh and gluteals. Treatment with your physio will involve loosening those tight structures, and addressing the weaknesses in the quadriceps and the glutes.
Plantar fasciitis, in the runner, is an injury in which tissue that connects the bottom of your foot, to the bottom of your heel, becomes tight, overloaded, and generates sharp pain through the heel. It is often characterized by pain first thing in the morning, however, can also be indicated by progressive increases in pain while running.
Plantar fasciitis can be a difficult condition to treat because there are often multiple biomechanical factors contributing to the injury, however, there are a number of treatment modalities that can provide symptomatic relief, and keep you running in the meantime!
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (Often referred to as ‘Shin Splints’)
MTSS is characterized by pain along the medial border of your tibia (inside of your inner shin bone). It will often initially develop as diffuse soreness at the end of a run, and may progress to pain that ‘warms up,’ and further, into constant pain whilst running – if you are to push through the injury.
MTSS is often the result of a sustained increase in activity or activity well beyond the norm of the runner that overloads the calf and subsequent shin bone. Treatment often involves addressing biomechanical factors, such as foot position while running, load management, and manual therapy.
If you are training for a fun run, competition, or just getting fit; make sure you keep in check with any aches and complaints and maximize your running capabilities this running season.
