Below are educational brochures on some of the most common injuries. Each brochure includes information on the description of the injury, signs and symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention.
Achilles Tendonitis
Inflammation of the tendon that connects the two major calf muscles, the gastrocnemius and soleus, to the back of the heel bone. During running, the Achilles tendon can receive tensile loads over eight times the body weight. With too much stress, the tendon tightens and is forced to overwork. This causes it to become inflamed and irritated (tendonitis), and, over time, this repetitive stress can lead to degenerative changes at the tissue level. These changes will produce a covering of scar tissue, which is less flexible than the tendon. If ignored, degenerative changes may lead to a rupture of the Achilles tendon.
Plantar Fasciitis
An inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick fibrous band of tissue in the bottom of the foot, which runs from the heel to the base of the toes. When placed under increased stress, the plantar fascia can stretch and tear, resulting in inflammation of this tissue. The tears are soon covered with scar tissue, which is less flexible than the fascia and aggravates the problem.
ITB Syndrome
The Iliotibial Band (ITB) is a thick band of tissue that runs from your hip down past your lateral knee. ITB friction syndrome is an overuse injury caused by repetitive friction of the iliotibial band across the lateral aspect of the knee. It has also been found that injury to the iliotibial band and related structures may be noted as lateral “hip” or lateral thigh pain, but more commonly as lateral knee pain.
Runner's Knee
Deterioration or wearing away of the cartilage under the kneecap, resulting in pain and inflammation. The cartilage becomes rough due to the kneecap not riding smoothly over the knee. It is a condition causing pain in the front of the knee and is also referred to as chondromalacia patellae, or CMP.
Shin Splints
Shin Splints are the inflammation of muscle attachments to the tibia (shin bone) on the inside of the front lower leg. They usually involve small tears in the leg muscles where they are attached to the shin bone. Shin Splints are characterized by pain to overexertion of the muscles. The pain usually develops gradually with dull aches after running or even walking. Small bumps and tender areas may be present along the shin bone. If untreated the pain can become more intense and potentially lead to stress fractures.
Low Back
Low back pain is defined as pain located between the rib cage and the buttocks and may extend down to the leg and foot. Some may experience numbness, tingling or weakness in the legs. Pain felt in your lower back may come from the spine, muscles, nerves, or other structures in the back. Low back pain can effect movement such as twisting, turning or bending.