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 Dr. Allen D.C. at (858) 268-8525.

Common Running Injuries

Check out the topics below to learn more about running injuries, their causes and prevention.

Achilles Bursitis

Learn More About Achilles Bursitis
Achilles or retrocalcaneal bursitis is a common running injury that afflicts many runners we have seen at the San Diego Running & Sports Injury Clinic. 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.

Achilles Tendonosis/Tendonopathy/Tendonites

Learn More About Achilles Tendonosis/Tendonopathy/Tendonites
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. 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.

Heel Pain

Learn More About Heel Pain
Heel pain is one of the more common running injuries I see at the SDRI. 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.

High Hamstring Tendonopathy

Learn More About High Hamstring Tendonpathy
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.

Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS)

Learn More About 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.

Ischial Bursitis

Learn More About Ischael Bursitis
Ischial Bursitis is a common type of running injury. This painful inflammatory condition results in a deep aching sensation in the runner’s involved hip. Ischial Bursitis is a painful condition that negatively affects your ability to run. It is often misdiagnosed resulting in prolonged periods of no running and unnecessary pain. If you are suffering from pain in the Gluteal region or hamstring it is important to have this condition accurately diagnosed and treated so that you may return to pain free running…..and sitting.

 

Leg Length Discrepancy

Learn More About Leg Length Discrepancy
Having one leg longer than the other is a common anatomical trait in humans. Rarely do we grow perfectly symmetrical. 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.

Lower Back Pain/Sciatica

Learn More About Lower Back Pain/Sciatica
Lower back pain is a common condition that affects roughly 80% of the population at some point in their lives. Not all lower back pain is due to the same causes though. It is common for people to relate their lower back pain to me as “sciatica” when in fact they do not have sciatica. Sciatica is defined by the Medical Dictionary as radiating pain from the back, down the leg, all the way to your foot. In fact, very few patients that I see actually have sciatica. There are many other reasons for lower back pain.

Metatarsalgia

Learn More About 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.

Morton’s Neuroma

Learn More About Morton’s 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.

Neck Pain

Learn More About Neck Pain
Neck pain is a common complaint that affects many people everyday. This intense pain can result from a number of injuries, disorders and or diseases. Many of these soft tissue type injuries are a direct result from contact sports, falls and motor vehicle accidents. There are many different conditions that cause neck pain. Some of the most common conditions include—muscle strain, whiplash type injuries, herniated disc, pinched nerves and degenerative disc disease or arthritis.

Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease

Learn More About Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease
Osgood-Schlatters Disease is a common diagnosis given to young, athletic boys suffering from pain in the front of their knee and below their kneecap that is sharp and stabbing when they run. It generally begins quickly in a run and progresses to the point that it prevents running at all. Squatting, lunging, stairs and jumping are also often reported to be painful.

Piriformis Pain

Learn More About 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 Synd