This article deals with the most common injuries that avid runners face during training.  Most are not serious and can be treated with rest, appropriate stretching, and possibly anti-inflammatory medications.  Since running is an extremely leg dependant sport the easiest way to classify injuries is by body part.

The foot and ankle is where the rubber meets the road, quite literally, and is the most common area of trouble.  People who have excessively high arches (cavus feet) or people with low arches (flat feet) are more prone to develop problems.  Running shoes are now made to accommodate for these extremes and can be a first line of defense.  The foot is a complex interaction of ligament, bone, and tendon and shoe inserts or cushioning that can either pad areas that are overstressed or convert foot mechanics to a more normal range are very helpful.

Plantar fasciitis (heel and sole of foot), Achilles tendonitis, posterior tibial tendonitis (inner foot), and stress fractures top the list of maladies.   Each of these is a form of overuse injury and is characterized by pain, swelling, and poor function.  Early treatment may be as simple as altering your running style, resting briefly, or wearing the appropriate insert.  More difficult cases may require medications, casting or bracing, cortisone injections, or rarely even surgery.

In the knee patellar tendonitis (front of knee), ileotibial band syndrome (outer side), or pes bursitis (inner side) are common overuse injuries.  The key to treatment of these problems is early recognition and not ignoring symptoms.  Again, rest and stretching tends to help quickly.

Sudden traumatic injuries can also be a problem with the knee.  Tears of the shock absorbing cartilage (meniscus) can occur with twisting injuries in the younger runners and with even less force in older runners.  These injuries are characterized by swelling not of the muscle and tendon around the joint but by fluid that collects in the joint itself.  This may be difficult to distinguish but is important in treatment because many meniscus tears need surgery.

Finally, there are a few less common problems with the hips.  Hamstrings tendonitis (back of the thigh), trochanteric bursitis (outer hip), and groin pulls are usually a result of poor stretching and overuse.

It is important to remember that all of these parts are interconnected and that an injury or poor alignment in one area can affect others.  This is one reason why it may not be smart to continue running with an altered form to protect one injury at the expense of causing another.  This also highlights why it is important to stretch all muscle groups around the foot and ankle, knee, and hip before running.