Foot Injuries from Running Include:
Plantar Fasciitis From Running
If you step out of bed and feel like you're stepping on broken glass, you might have this kind of heel pain called plantar fasciitis. Sometimes it'll also hurt after you've been sitting a while. Sometimes it hurts all the time. Here's the thing.
Plantar fasciitis the most common running overuse injury that I see in my office. It is an inflammation of the plantar fascia where it attaches to the heel bone.
You might be afraid that it's because of a heel spur and need surgery. I hear that a lot. Don't let that worry you. Most of the time, more than 95%, no surgery is needed. I think you'll be surprised how fast this pain can go away. You'll kick yourself for not coming in sooner.
Achilles Tendon Pain from Running
If your pain is more on the back of your heel, or even a little higher up behind your ankle, you may have an inflamed Achilles tendon. This is a serious injury and source of ankle pain. Achilles tendons are notoriously tough to recover. That's why it is super important for you to not wait to get it checked.
I have first hand knowledge on this one. I had Achilles tendinitis while I was training for my first half- marathon. I know how frustrating it is to have to slow down and delay reaching your goal. Here's the good news...I was able to get past it, finally reached my goal, and completed the Avengers Half-Marathon at Disneyland.
I know it sounds like a cliche but it's really true. The sooner you come in, the quicker you can get rid of the nagging pain and get back running.
Shin Splints from Running
A shin splint is a persistent, nagging pain in one or both of your shins. It's an inflammation of the muscles that attach to the shinbone. If you've had it, you know it feels like someone is tearing the muscle off of the bone. I'm not exaggerating.
The muscle is inflamed because it is being overused. So if you can reduce the amount that the muscle is pulling on the bone, the inflammation could be controlled. Using a custom orthotic with distance runners will balance the muscles of the lower extremity.
Ball of Foot Pain from Running
Runners like you often complain about the balls of their feet hurting and their toes going numb. This is often caused by an enlarged nerve that becomes inflamed. It is called a Morton's neuroma . The pain may be related to specific shoes you're wearing. It also may hurt all the time, forcing you to cut your runs short.
Treatment for a Morton's includes reducing the inflammation of the nerve in the foot. You might also benefit from a custom orthotic to relieve pressure on the nerve. In severe cases, surgery to remove the inflamed nerve may be your best choice.
Foot and Ankle Tendonitis
When you run, all of the tendons in your legs and feet have to work together perfectly. That doesn't always happen. When tendons end up working too hard, they become inflamed and cause a tendonitis. A tendonitis can be a constant source of pain and may cause you to have to stop running.
Treating a tendonitis can involve taking anti-inflammatory medications or using a cortisone injection. I may recommend a custom orthotic as a long term solution. An orthotic helps to balance the tendons and stops them from becoming inflamed. This is especially helpful if you have flat feet.
Those are the most common running injuries, but there are many, many more. These include injuries in the avid runner, such as stress fractures and an ankle sprain. That's just the foot injuries. Don't forget about the hamstring injury, knee injury, and calf injury that can be all related to foot mechanics as well.
I know your run is the most important part of your day:
One of the main reasons that runners don't like to see sports medicine podiatrists is because the treatment options often require them to stop running. Of course, there are times when you need to reduce your activity level. This is true if you have a fracture, stress fracture, tendon ruptures, or soft tissue tears.
