Injuries are about the worst thing that can happen to any runner. Unfortunately, injuries are common, and all too often force runners to take time away from their favorite sporting activity. Worse, experience has little to do with determining who suffers an injury. Veteran runners get injured about as often as newcomers to the sport. If you’re an active runner, it is vital to recognize the signs of an injury so that you can get the help you need to eliminate pain and get back to running.
Runner’s knee includes several different injuries that impact the kneecap. The two most common are Patellofemoral pain syndrome and iliotibial band syndrome:
Patellofemoral pain syndrome is caused by irritation of the cartilage on the underside of your kneecap and can result in chronic pain. Symptoms include tenderness around the kneecap, swelling, throbbing pain after use, and grinding or clicking sounds when the knee is extended or bent.
Iliotibial band syndrome, or ITBS, is a painful injury that is caused by overuse and tightening of the connective tissue between the hip and the outside of the knee. Like other forms of runner’s knee, this condition is painful and can restrict mobility and range of motion.
This condition involves an inflammation of the tendon that connects the heel bone to the muscles in the lower leg. Generally caused by overuse and lack of calf flexibility, Achilles tendonitis causes symptoms like heel pain during walking or running, tenderness, and swelling in the affected area.
Plantar Fasciitis is a painful condition that affects the tendon connecting the shinbone to the kneecap. It is caused by inflammation in the plantar fascia due to factors like wearing inadequate footwear, obesity, tightness in the ankles and calves, or routinely spending too much time on your feet. Symptoms include pain under the heel, pain in the foot, tenderness, and increased pain when you’re on your feet.
Osteopathic care can be an effective way to treat these common runners’ injuries and help patients return to normal activity. An experienced osteopath can provide treatment designed to manage symptoms, restore normal function, and expedite healing. Those treatment techniques may include proven pain mitigation strategies, manual manipulation of tissue, and other therapeutic measures, as well as educational resources and strategies for stretching and strengthening key muscles and tendons.
The good news is that you don’t have to let yourself be sidelined by painful runners’ injuries. There is treatment available that can help reduce pain, restore function, and enable you to return to running as soon as possible.
If you are experiencing pain in the foot, ankle, calf, or knee due to running or any other sporting activity, contact Dr. Leonid Tafler today. As an experienced osteopath in New York City, Dr. Tafler has the expertise you need for effective management of any runner’s injury.
Through the years, every one treated by Dr. Tafler has had very positive and lasting results. I can't thank him enough for myself, my mom and for every dear person to my heart I sent to him. 🙂 Thank you Doctor! Words can't express what you've done and how many lives have changed. God bless you.
I am a whole hardheartedly grateful to Dr.Tafler for this timely help in recovering the moving function of my shoulder joint. This helped me a win a gold medal and become the Champion of the world in Sambo combat in Greece 2012. I always tell my collegues and student to turn to the excellent and kind Dr. Leonid Tafler in case of any accident or injury.
