Sports Podiatrist: Troublesome Injuries Runners May Acquire

Whether you are an amateur or a professional runner, proper stretching and preparation exercises before taking on the track are mandatory to prevent the risk of strained muscles and bodily harm. Nevertheless, nobody is immune to injuries, and even the most seasoned athletes will develop sports injuries at one time or another. Knowing what you may be at risk of, though, makes you better placed at knowing what injury you have and figuring whether you should see a podiatrist post haste. It should be noted that any foot injury that plagues you with chronic pain should be attended to by a health professional. So what are some of the troublesome injuries that runners may acquire?

Plantar fasciitis

This type of foot injury occurs when the bottom of your foot has become inflamed. It is one of the most common sports injuries affecting the foot as it comes about due to overuse of the feet. If you have developed plantar fasciitis, one of the common symptoms that you will experience is a sharp pain radiating from the heel of your foot. The intensity can range to mild discomfort to sharp jolts depending on how extensive the inflammation is.

Plantar fasciitis is common in people who will over train but can also come about if you are running without adequate support in your footwear. Your podiatrist would probably recommend laying off the training for a while so that the tissues in your foot get a chance to recuperate. You may also want to consider investing in orthotic inserts that would ensure your feet are securely supported when engaging in your running activities.

Achilles tendinitis

This type of foot injury is also referred to as Achilles heel. When you develop Achilles tendinitis, it means that your Achilles tendon, which is located at the back of your foot, has become inflamed. However, the pain will not be limited to your heel, as you will probably also experience it in your lower leg and possibly your calf muscle. The reason for this radiating pain is that the inflammation will affect the band of tissues that connect the calf to the Achilles, hence making the entire lower leg tender. Achilles tendinitis can also be accompanied by swelling, and some individuals may even be unable to use the affected foot for simple tasks such as walking.

There are different reasons why you may develop Achilles tendinitis. A common culprit of this injury is tight muscles in your lower leg, leading you to strain your foot. Achilles heel can also be caused by wearing import shoes while running and training, failure to engage instructing exercises and more.


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