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Runners Circle » Injury Prevention » Common Running Injuries

Injury Prevention: Common Running Injuries, Shin Splints, Pulled Hamstring, Knee Pain, Stress Fractures And Tendonitis

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Published: June 27, 2007

Each year millions of people look to get in shape and become fit. With all the exercise routines and workout plans that exist out there today, one of the most popular options that is practiced is through the sport of running. Running can be a grueling process with deep burns and muscle cramping, but after a person takes a run the output for their health can be very beneficial.

Even though running has healthy intentions, it can also lead to many injuries if improperly practiced. There are many common running injuries that can happen to runners and athletes who choose this method of exercise. However, with proper knowledge of injury prevention most common running injuries can be avoided.

Shin splints are one of the most common running injuries to occur. Even though it is a common term that is widely known and recognized, there is no exact definition for shin splints. Shin splints are known as a general term used when describing the pain that occurs near the tibia bone. These splints can happen anywhere in the lower leg such as the muscle, the bone, or the area where the bone is attached to the muscle. When a runner overuses these muscles, the tendons and the muscles become irritated and cause tibial stress syndrome. Shin splits are common running injuries for athletes who demand high results from their training and escalate their performance to quickly.  Shin splits can be prevented through stretching techniques and training at a moderate pace.

A pulled hamstring is included among leading common running injuries. This injury occurs when the muscle tears along the hamstring fibers. After the hamstring is pulled, there is bleeding within the hamstring muscle and in some cases the bleeding causes a complete rupture. Some of the signs of a hamstring pull are bruising, swelling, and spasms. In the worst case, a hamstring rupture can result in surgery. Being one of the common running injuries, it is important for runners to stretch the hamstring muscles in prevent injury.

The knees are also a place for common running injuries. Runner's knee, or Chondromalacia, is a condition that is often seen in the kneecap after anterior knee pain is being experienced. When the smooth cartilage on the undersurface of the kneecap is rubbed against the one side of the knee joint, the knee experiences pain and becomes aggravated. Runner's Knee is one of the leading common running injuries in women and younger runners, and be prevented through strengthening and stretching exercises.

The most common running injuries in the Achilles Tendons are referred to as tendonitis. Tendonitis happens when the large tendon on the back of the Achilles is irritated and inflammation is experienced. The inflammation leads to swelling, and just like in the hamstring, the tendons can bust. Tendonitis occurs more often or not in middle aged runners that have a lack of flexibility. Buying the right running shoes or putting in shoe inserts are common practices of injury prevention for tendonitis.

Both experienced runners and novices are susceptible to common running injuries. Athletes who train everyday with the right coaches and training staff can experience common running injuries, such as stress fractures, when the muscles that they work come in contact with hard surfaces. Runners who most commonly experience stress fractures are long distance runners that continually have their feet hitting hard ground. Stress fractures are seen when the bone develops a small break, such as in the foot or the leg. Runners can prevent stress fractures by gradually increasing their workload so that they don't put too much stress on their bones by overtraining.

Common running injuries are just roadblocks in the road to a healthy lifestyle for a runner. Running is a great way to stay in shape and build up endurance, but if improperly practiced, it can hurt the runner more than help them. Injury prevention exists for common running injuries, and it's important for runners to be familiar with common running injuries in order to recognize the symptoms before they escalate.


Sources:
Cluett, Jonathon. “Running Injury.” About.com: Orthopedics. 23 June 2006. About, Inc. 20 June 2007.
http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/sportsmedicine/a /runninginjury.htm
Hamilton, Janet. “Common Running Injuries.” Team Oregon. 2003. 20 June 2007.
http://www.teamoregon.com/publications/cominjur. html
Mann, Denise. “Preventing and Treating Common Running Injuries.” WebMd. 2005-2007. 20 June 2007. http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/ten -common-running-injuries
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