Running Injuries
March 24th 2025
As we head Into the spring we need to keep some things in mind to take care of our bodies as we get outdoors to workout or have fun. Today we will focus specifically on some common running injuries.
Running is a great way to stay in shape, manage stress, and increase your overall wellbeing.
However, it's not without its drawbacks. While running is a low-risk activity, there are a few injuries that commonly affect runners. As running is a repetitive impact activity, most running injuries develop slowly and can be challenging to treat. Here are three of the most common conditions faced by runners:
1. Runner's Knee:
Runners' knee is a persistent pain on the inside of the knee caused by the dysfunctional movement of the kneecap during movement. The kneecap sits in a small groove at the centre of the knee and glides smoothly up and down as the knee bends and straightens. If something causes the kneecap to move abnormally, the surface underneath can become damaged, irritated, and painful. The pain might be mild to start with; however, left untreated, runner's knee can make running too painful to continue.
2. Shin Splints:
Shin splints is a common condition characterised by a recurring pain at the inside of the shin. While the cause of this condition is not always clear, it is usually due to repeated stress where the calf muscles attach to the tibia (shin bone). Why this becomes painful is likely due to a combination of factors that can be identified by your physiotherapist to help you get back on track as soon as possible.
3. Achilles Tendonitis:
The Achilles tendon is the thick tendon at the back of the ankle that attaches to the calf muscles. It is vital in providing the propulsive force needed for running. If the stresses placed on the tendon exceed its strength, the tissues begin to breakdown and become painful. Treatment is focussed on helping the healthy tendon tissues to strengthen and adapt to new forces while allowing the damaged tissue to heal and regenerate.
If you or anyone you know is suffering from any of these give us a call at 403-270-0053, book online or email us at info@kensingtonphysio.com to see a physiotherapist.
Please remember none of the information in this blog is a replacement for proper medical advice. Always see a medical professional for advice on your injury.
Running is a great way to stay in shape, manage stress, and increase your overall wellbeing.
However, it's not without its drawbacks. While running is a low-risk activity, there are a few injuries that commonly affect runners. As running is a repetitive impact activity, most running injuries develop slowly and can be challenging to treat. Here are three of the most common conditions faced by runners:
1. Runner's Knee:
Runners' knee is a persistent pain on the inside of the knee caused by the dysfunctional movement of the kneecap during movement. The kneecap sits in a small groove at the centre of the knee and glides smoothly up and down as the knee bends and straightens. If something causes the kneecap to move abnormally, the surface underneath can become damaged, irritated, and painful. The pain might be mild to start with; however, left untreated, runner's knee can make running too painful to continue.
2. Shin Splints:
Shin splints is a common condition characterised by a recurring pain at the inside of the shin. While the cause of this condition is not always clear, it is usually due to repeated stress where the calf muscles attach to the tibia (shin bone). Why this becomes painful is likely due to a combination of factors that can be identified by your physiotherapist to help you get back on track as soon as possible.
3. Achilles Tendonitis:
The Achilles tendon is the thick tendon at the back of the ankle that attaches to the calf muscles. It is vital in providing the propulsive force needed for running. If the stresses placed on the tendon exceed its strength, the tissues begin to breakdown and become painful. Treatment is focussed on helping the healthy tendon tissues to strengthen and adapt to new forces while allowing the damaged tissue to heal and regenerate.
If you or anyone you know is suffering from any of these give us a call at 403-270-0053, book online or email us at info@kensingtonphysio.com to see a physiotherapist.
Please remember none of the information in this blog is a replacement for proper medical advice. Always see a medical professional for advice on your injury.
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