Running Injuries
We all want to avoid running injuries and prevention of running injuries is a priority at SDRI. Having the proper shoes is the first step is the first step in prevention of running injuries. However, running injuries do occur.
If you are currently suffering from any of the below running injuries and want more information, advice, treatment or just a 2nd opinion we recommend either calling our Store Doctor at (619) 265-2222.
Besides being a Doctor and Owner of the San Diego Running Institute, Dr. Runco is a Marathoner and 50-mile ultra-marathoner. There is no one better to diagnose your injury and help you achieve your goal.
Check out the topics below to learn more about running injuries, their causes and prevention.
Achilles Bursitis
Achilles or retrocalcaneal bursitis is a common running injury that afflicts many runners we have seen at the San Diego Running Institute. It is often confused with achilles tendonitis and therefore has become a chronic condition. The runner will usually describe pain in the achilles region, behind the ankle that hurts severely if the achilles tendon is “pinched” between two fingers.
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Achilles Tendonopathy
Achilles Tendonosis/Tendonopathy is a newly recognized disorder. It is common in runners and other athletes. The condition is not understood by most and is very confusing to the patient. The achilles tendon has poor regenerative capability which is why achilles tendonitis can turn into achilles tendonosis/tendonopathy.
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Achilles Tendonites
Achilles tendonites is a common running injury. It can be related to the runner having tight calf muscles, having high foot arches, doing speed training or hill repeats. The runner will describe pain that occurs behind their ankle near where the achilles tendon attaches to their heel bone.
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Heel Pain
Heel pain is one of the more common running injuries I see at the San Diego Running institute. The runner often complains that they have pain in their heel or arch that is worse in the morning and gradually “warms up”. They also say that the pain gets progressively worse as they “run through it” and following running the pain is much worse sometimes causing them to limp. It is surprising how many of these runners with heel and or arch pain have been either misdiagnosed or given bad advice or ineffectual treatment.
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High Hamstring Tendonopathy
High Hamstring Tendonopathy is a condition that affects runners. I see it most often in the long distance running population that likes to incorporate speed training and hill repeats. The condition starts out as hamstring tendonitis at the origin of the muscle. The hamstring muscles originate at your ischial tuberosity near the bottom of your gluteal region. The hamstring tendonitis progresses to hamstring tendonosis which describes thickening and scarring of the hamstring origin.
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Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS)
Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) is typically described as pain on the outside of the knee that occurs while running. The pain begins after running for a while and gets worse as distance increases. This is because ITBS it is an overuse/repetitive strain injury. As the distance increases there is increased strain on the Iliotibial Band eventually resulting in pain and an inability to completely extend your leg. Often the pain stops almost as soon as you stop running but may hurt while walking up or down stairs. Excessive pronation, faulty running mechanics, or a tight iliotibial band can result in this painful condition.
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Kinesio Taping
Kinesiotaping is a state-of-the-art running inury tool used to help runners with injuries. Instead of a brace, Kinesiotape is used to help runners keep their muscles and joints in alignment.
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Leg Length Discrepancy
Having one leg longer than the other is a common anatomical trait in humans. Rarely do we grow perfectly symmetrical. It is thought that at least 75% of the human population suffers from a leg length inequality. Leg length inequality is thought to be a possible cause of back pain, hip pain, Piriformis Syndrome, Iliotibial Band Syndrome and hip and knee arthritis. When one leg is longer than another it causes us to lean and put more pressure on the shorter side. Over time the added pressure on that side results in injury.
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Metatarsalgia
Metatarsalgia is a condition we frequently see at the San Diego Running Institute. This painful foot condition is often misdiagnosed or confused with plantar fasciitis or Mortons Neuroma. A runner will complain of pain in the ball of their foot usually just behind the second or third toe. The pain can be intense or just a dull ache that they describe as “walking on a rock’ or “walking right on the bone”. The pain can be intense enough to cause you to stop running.
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Mortons Neuroma
Mortons Neuroma is a condition we frequently see at the San Diego Running Institute. This painful foot condition is often misdiagnosed or confused with plantar fasciitis or Metatarsalgia. A runner will complain of pain in the ball of their foot usually just behind the second or third toe that either causes numbness into the toes or shooting pain into the toes. The pain can be intense or just a dull ache that they describe but usually gets progressively worse with activity.
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Plantar Fascitis
Plantar fasciitis is typically described as sharp or stabbing pain and inflammation in the heel and or arch of the foot that hurts worse in the morning when getting out of bed. Most patients and runners say that the pain gets somewhat better after the first few steps but gets worse after standing or sitting for extended periods of time. Too much tension or repetitive stretching can cause the plantar fascia to tear become inflamed and possibly rupture. Long distance running without proper recovery, flat, low-arched feet or rigid high-arched feet all can be the cause of plantar fasciitis.
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Piriformis Pain
Piriformis Syndrome is a condition that causes pain in a runner’s gluteal (buttocks) region during running and/or prolonged sitting. Piriformis Syndrome can cause radiating pain down your glut and into your hamstring mimicking sciatica. Because the symptoms resemble sciatica Piriformis Syndrome is often misdiagnosed leaving a runner frustrated and with a literal pain in the ass! Overtraining, excessive speed-work, hill workouts or a leg length discrepancy can cause Piriformis Syndrome to start. Because the Piriformis muscle is instrumental in the running process once it is affected it typically worsens as distance or speed increase.
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Runner’s Knee
Runners Knee goes my many names. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS), Chondromalacia, Patella tracking error, weak quads and more. If your knee hurts and you happen to be a runner you may have been labeled with one of those diagnosis. Typical Runners Knee results in pain underneath (deep) to your kneecap and is described as achy and painful while running, running downhill, downstairs, squatting or lunging.
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Shin Splints
Shin Splints or Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS) is typically described as sharp radiating pain that occurs while running and either gets progressively worse with every step or seems to warm up as you run. Running in the wrong type of shoe, not having enough arch support, overpronation can predispose a runner to shin splints or medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS). Often changing to a stability or motion control shoe will increase arch support and limit pronation thereby reducing stress on your legs. However, many runners need orthopedic inserts also called custom orthotics to decrease their pronation in addition to wearing a stability shoe.
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