Foot and Ankle Injuries

Running is great for your cardiovascular system and overall health, but many peo ple know someone who has sustained some kind of running injury to the legs, ankl es, or feet. Many runners and other athletes have pulled their hamstring muscles on more than one occasion, and quick treatment is the key to recovery from this common compl aint. Another frequent ailment is pain in the arches, in which the strains of ex ercise result in inflammation and a feeling of burning under the foot. Specially designed footgear with inserts that reshape the arch into place is often helpfu l. Some runners have a tendency toward maladaptive gaits, such as over-pronation, m eaning the foot rolls inward, or supination, an outward foot roll. Both of these gaits require specific kinds of shoes to correct the problem. Another common condition is plantar fasciitis, in which the thick ligament that lies along the footâ s base becomes inflamed, causes pain, and ends in creating a hee l spur. A common symptom is pain in the heel when a person gets up after a prolo nged period of inactivity. Ankle sprains and Achilles tendonitis also occur frequently in runners. Achilles tendonitis, localized along the back of the ankle, can result in rupture of the Achilles tendon if untreated. Solutions to these and other common runnersâ injuries involve choosing the correct r unning shoes for your foot shape and gait, practicing appropriate warm-up and co ol-down exercises, and getting regular checkups from your orthopedist or podiatr ist. About the author: Dr. Steven Neufeld is an orthopedic surgeon whose practice at the Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Center of Washington serves patients in Greater Was hington, D.C., and Northern Virginia.