The Dunn office is closed on March 30th. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Nearby Orthopedic Urgent Cares
Smithfield | 9:00am – 9:00pm
Fuquay-Varina | 8:00am – 7:30pm
The Dunn office is closed on March 30th. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Nearby Orthopedic Urgent Cares
Smithfield | 9:00am – 9:00pm
Fuquay-Varina | 8:00am – 7:30pm
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Professional and recreational athletes may play different sports that require different skill sets, but they all require one similar factor: endurance.
And, what is one of the best exercises to train and build endurance? Running.
Running is one of America’s most popular forms of exercise, with 18.1 million Americans registering for road races in 2018.
While running is a simple form of fitness, it still puts a ton of stress on various joints in the body. Common running injuries can occur anywhere on the body, including the hip, knee, leg, ankle, foot, and even spine.
Evidence suggests that 40% to 50% of runners experience injuries yearly.
In an effort to decrease running injuries, the Sports Medicine Specialists at EmergeOrtho—Triangle Region have compiled a list of common endurance running injuries to help educate and prevent running injuries. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained physicians have worked extensively with a number of professional and recreational athletes, allowing them to gain an expert-level understanding of the injuries, treatments, and prevention techniques surrounding endurance running.
Although there are various injuries that can be sustained associated with endurance running, we are going to take an in-depth look at the six most common, which include:
What It Is
Also known as “runner’s knee” or “jumper’s knee,” this is a broad term used to describe pain in the patella (kneecap). It is commonly found in athletes (particularly women and young adults), but it can also occur in nonathletes as well. The condition occurs when nerves sense pain in the soft tissues and bone surrounding the kneecap.
Causes
There are two common causes of patellofemoral pain syndrome:
Symptoms
What It Is
This is an overuse injury of the connective tissues located on the outer thigh and knee. The IT Band is a thick band of tissue that starts in the hip, runs down the outer thigh, crosses over the knee, and attaches to the shin. In a healthy knee, the IT band glides across the knee with no pain because of a sac or bursa.
If the sac or bursa is not working properly, the IT band will rub against the bone of the knee joint, causing pain and inflammation.
Causes
As stated above, IT band friction syndrome is an overuse injury commonly found in long-distance runners. The risk of IT band friction syndrome increases in athletes who use poor form, have limited flexibility, or have mechanical imbalances in the body.
Symptoms
What It Is
Also known as “shin splints,” medial tibial stress syndrome is the inflammation of the tendons, muscles, and bone tissue surrounding the tibia (shinbone).
Causes
This is another overuse injury typically found in endurance runners. The risk for medial tibial stress syndrome increases in those with poor exercise form, improper equipment, flat feet, or abnormally rigid foot arches.
Symptoms
Sharp and/or dull pain along the inner edge of the tibia, which can be exacerbated by stress, exercise, or direct contact.
What It Is
Also known as “Achilles tendinitis,” Achilles tendinopathy is the irritation and inflammation of the Achilles tendon that runs down the back of the lower leg.
Noninsertional Achilles tendinopathy is when the fibers in the middle portion of the tendon have begun to degenerate.
Insertional Achilles tendinopathy is when the fibers in the lower portion of the tendon (where the tendon attaches to the heel bone) have begun to degenerate.
Causes
Like the above injuries, this condition is also typically attributed to overuse. Tight calf muscles and bone spurs can also increase the probability of Achilles tendinopathy.
Symptoms
What It Is
Plantar fasciitis is the irritation and inflammation of the plantar fascia (the strong band of tissue that supports the arch of the foot).
Cause
Plantar fasciitis is caused when there is too much pressure on the plantar fascia, typically caused by overuse. Tight calf muscles, obesity, and high-foot arches can all increase the risk of plantar fasciitis developing.
Symptoms
It is the most common cause of pain on the bottom of the heel.
What It Is
Tiny cracks that occur in the bones of the lower legs or feet.
Cause
Lower extremity stress fractures are considered overuse injuries that are caused by repetitive stress.
Symptoms
The above overuse injuries can typically be successfully treated with one or more of the following nonsurgical treatment techniques (which can also serve as general prevention techniques):
Surgical intervention is rarely required for the injuries listed above.
Using the right techniques and prevention measures can greatly reduce the risk of common running injuries. However, if an injury is sustained, you can trust the EmergeOrtho—Triangle Region Sports Medicine Specialists to get you back on your feet—as quickly and safely as possible.
To learn more, schedule an appointment now. Or, call us any time at 984.279.3662.
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