As one of the most popular recreational activities in the population today we see many runnings meet obstcles of repeat injuries and “niggles“ that plague their ability to run. Tis can relate to a number of issues that can be assessed and identifies with a podiatrists.

Common injuries include:

-          Shin Splints

-          Achilles Injuries and Tendinopathies

-          Bursitis

-          Heel pain (Plantar Fasciitis)

-          Stress fractures

Why do a running assessment?

-          Repeating injuries or long term injuries

-          Reduce lower limb injury or reoccurrence of injury.

-          Maximize an individual’s performance

What to look for:

-          Overstriding (Heavy heel strikers) creates and negative vector or braking force in front of the individual’s centre of gravity. Results in increased tissue loading.

-          Base of Gait (Cross over of the feet to legs in the frontal plane) Check gluteal muscle strength

-          Excessive Pronation: not just do they but how do they. Is it too fast, too slow, too much or none at all. (Pronation is a normal mechanism we need to identify the abnormal and how it contributes to the individuals presenting complaints)

-          Forefoot vs Rearfoot Strikers: Neither is bad or good but more what is suitable for the individual

What the podiatrist can do:

-          ITBFS: Excessive pronation and poor gluteal strength

o    Walls sits and reverse bridging for glute strength

o    If no improvement with all treatment consider surgery or a sports doctor

-          Shin Splints: Excessive and/or Rapid Pronation, Increased Post Tib loading

o    Increase knee thrust and reduce over striding

o    Post Tib strengthening and orthotics

-          Achilles Injuries: overuse and excessive soft tissue loading or acute injury

o    Global strengthening of the tendon (eccentric, concentric and isometric loading)

o    Assess dorsiflexion during toe-off in running gait.

-          Bursitis

o    Increased plantar pressure loading on the forefoot region

o    Forefoot striker’s most common

o    Deload the area – orthotic therapy for best long-term outcomes.

Scott our podiatrist has spent over 10 years working with athletic injuries of the lower limbs and has extended his knowledge completing is Introduction to Strength and Condition through ASCA and multiple running assessment and rehabilitation workshops.

He enjoys social running himself, running about 15km a week.