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PHYSIOTHERAPY

Running Injuries

Running is more popular than ever, but some runners may feel some discomfort from the running, which we usually can help with PHYSIOTHERAPY treatment. A few of the most common conditions are described below.

Please do only take these as a guideline - for any advice on specific injury Contact your physiotherapist: 020 7584 9054.

Runners Knee

This injury usually builds up over several weeks of running. The major subjective complaints are pain at the front of the knee (anterior knee pain) during running, stair walking and in particular during prolonged sitting with the knee at a 90 degree angle. There is often pain with sideways movement of the kneecap and occasionally swelling under the kneecap. There is often stiffness of the fibres of the lateral vastus muscle (the muscle at the outside of the knee) as well as biomechanical faults, such as increased ankle pronation, changes of the angle of the knee, increased swayback and general poor muscle control of the lower limbs. The treatment consists of pain relieving techniques release of the tight tissue and retraining of muscles. Foot orthotics may also be used.

Achilles Tendon Irritation

Approximately 10 percent of all runners will at some point experience Achilles tendon problems. This is mainly due to the high impact that is placed on the tendon during running. The athlete usually complains of pain during running and stair walking, but relief while resting. Clinical examination reveals soreness of the tendon during palpation. If the medial part of the tendon is particularly sore, there are likely biomechanical problems as mentioned above. Treatment includes Ultrasound, petrissage and decreasing the load on the tendon by providing rising of the heel and / or foot orthotics.

Lower Back Pain

As running is continual landing on one or the other leg, there is a high load impact on shock absorbing structures, including the lordosis of the lower back. This may well lead to repeated micro-trauma of the sensitive structures in this area, leading to pain. The treatment will be similar to the treatment of usual lower back pain.