Common Injuries in Runners
Symptoms, Facts, and Cures
Plantar Fasciitis
Symptoms: inflammation of the plantar fascia, heel pain, difficulty standing or walking.
Facts: Athletes are more prone to the injury, especially older athletes. It is found to be more common in men. Also, approximately 10% of the population experiences the injury to some degree.
Cures: Rest, ice, ibuprofen, stretches, and physical therapy.
Extensor Tendonitis
Symptoms: tendons on the top of the foot are inflamed, tightness of the calf muscle, fallen foot arch, pain in the big toe.
Facts: Pain and tightness is felt mostly in the calf. A simple test to diagnose this injury is to assess the resistance of the toes. If pain is felt on the top of the foot while the toes try to resist, then it is likely extensor tendonitis.
Cures: calf stretches, anti-inflammatory medicine, a cast, or orthotics.
Calcaneal Stress Fracture
Symptoms: inability to walk, tight joints, bruising, and heel deformity
Facts: This is a stress fracture to the "heel bone." This type of fracture accounts for 60% of all foot fractures. This injury is known to have both short term and long term complications.
Cures: Cast or surgery. Surgery must be followed up with physical therapy.
Achilles Tendonitis
Symptoms: inflammation of the Achilles tendon, severe pain after exercise, thickening of the tendon.
Facts: There are two different types. One, Non-insertional AT, is prone to occur in younger athletes. The other, insertional AT, can affect a person that does not exercise.
Cures: Surgery, physical therapy, Cortisone shots, shockwave therapy, and rest.
Torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
Symptoms: intense pain of the knee, swelling, bruising, difficulty walking
Facts: Most of these injuries occur through sports and physical exercise. The injury is more common in female athletes than any other group. Most hear a loud pop then feel extreme pain in the knee as the injury occurs.
Cures: surgery followed by at least six months of physical therapy.
Works Cited
"Overuse Foot Injuries in Runners." Rice. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2013.
http://www.rice.edu/~jenky/sports/thefeet.html.
"New Physical Therapy Instruments at CMH for Soft Tissue Injuries." Pine
Journal: n. pag. Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 26 Sept.
2013. <http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/NewsDetailsPage/