Running injuries

Like most sports, running can take its toll on your body. Logging mile after mile every day for months can result in injury for some runners. Even experienced runners are at-risk for developing injuries.

Below, UPMC Sports Medicine experts provide an overview of three common running injuries and how to treat them.

Common Running Injury Education

Running injuries can result from trauma and overuse, as well as insufficient training and warmups, and improper shoes. Because of the mechanics of running, injuries tend to impact the back, hips, knees, ankles, and feet.

Three of the most common running injuries are:

1. Iliotibial Band (ITB) Syndrome

Iliotibial band (ITB) syndrome causes sharp or burning pain in the knee, especially while running. This pain may intensify with repetitive movements and distance. Bending the knee may cause swelling and additional discomfort.

These symptoms typically appear gradually, but if they persist longer than four weeks they can significantly limit and interfere with your training.

ITB Syndrome may be treated many ways, including:

  • Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen.
  • Protective equipment, such as braces, combined with R.I.C.E. — rest, ice, compression, elevation)
  • Physical therapy, including deep tissue massages, foam roller use, and stretching.
  • Corticosteroid injections.

2. Runner’s Knee

Runner’s knee or pain around the kneecap while running is the most common overuse injury for runners. This condition can cause pain while squatting, kneeling, and walking up stairs. If runner’s knee is not treated, it can lead to early-onset arthritis of the kneecap.

Physical therapy is a popular option for the treatment of runner’s knee, focusing on:

  • Strengthening your lower-half and core.
  • Static and dynamic stretching including the use of a foam roller to help your body recover.

3. Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a common overuse injury for runners, especially those who are running frequently as part of a training plan. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the tissue on the bottom of the foot tears or becomes inflamed due to repetitive stress.

The first step out of bed in the morning is typically the most painful for people with this ligament injury. Other symptoms may include a dull, persistent pain that can progress to a sharp or stabbing sensation that causes tenderness in the heel.

Common treatments focus on:

  • Rest.
  • Icing the injured area.
  • Elevating the injured area.
  • Compression of the injury like using ace bandages.
  • Anti-inflammatory medications.
  • Heel pads.
  • Orthotics in running shoes.

How to Prevent Running Injuries

To help prevent running injuries, focus on strengthening and flexibility exercises. We recommend the following exercises:

Core exercises

Dead bug

Lie on your back and raise your legs to a 90 degree angle. Alternate extending your opposite arms and legs.

Planks

Forward: Lie on your stomach and rise up balancing your weight equally on your forearms and bent toes.

Side: Lie on your side and lift your body balancing on the side of your feet and forearm.

planks

Quadriceps and hamstring exercises

Single leg squats

Step forward with one leg and squat bending at the knee. Alternate legs.

single-leg-squats

Single leg Romanian dead lifts (RDL)

Look straight ahead keeping your abdomen tight. With or without a weight, lower your torso as low as you can while lifting one leg straight back in the air. Bend your standing knee. Alternate sides.

romanian dead lift

Glute exercises

Bridging

Lie on your back with your knees bent at a 90-degree angle. Lift your pelvis in the air and hold the pose.

bridging

Monster walks

Use a band around your ankles and walk side to side, forward and backward.

monster walk

Ankle and feet exercises

4-way ankle rotation

Rotate your ankles in a circle reaching an inversion (roll inward), eversion (roll outward), plantarflexion (roll down), and dorsiflexion (roll up).

ankle rotation

Standing and seated calf raises

Rise onto the balls of your feet in both standing and seated positions.

calf raises

Foam roller exercises

    • IT Band
it band
    • Hamstring/quadriceps
hamstrings
    • Piriformis
piriformis
    • Calf
calf
    • Low/Mid Back
mid low back
    • Upper Back
upper back

If you are experiencing muscle pain during your training, consult your doctor for evaluation and treatment. To learn more about common running injuries and marathon preparation, call 1-855-93-SPORTS(77678) or visit UPMCSportsMedicine.com.

Editor's Note: This gallery was originally published on , and was last reviewed on .