Most Common Sports Injuries 2

Runner's Knee Injury Runner's knee is the most common type of knee pain. This issue is due to misalignment of the kneecap within its groove. Normally, the kneecap goes up or down in the groove as the knee straightens out or flexes. If the kneecap is not aligned properly however, the kneecap pulls off to one side and ends up rubbing on the side of the groove. This causes the cartilage on the back of the kneecap as well as the cartilage on the side of the groove to wear out. There are times when fluid will build up and cause pain and swelling symptoms in the knee. Pain can occur either in the back of the knee or around the back of the kneecap after doing any form of running. Shin Splints Saucony Shin splints refer to pains in the muscles around and near the shin bones. Usually, they are caused by jumping and running on hard surfaces or by simple overuse. This discomfort is often caused by people who are not accustomed to training and exercise. Saucony Shin splints can however plague experienced athletes who switch to more concentrated running speeds, harder surfaces, or lighter shoes. The symptoms of shin splints can be felt on the inner side of the middle third of the shin bone. The muscle responsible for raising the arch of the foot attaches to the shin bone in that location. Therefore, when the arch collapses with every foot strike, it pulls on the tendon that originates from this muscle. After repeated stress, the arch actually begins to pull some of its muscle fibers loose from the shin bone. This can lead to severe pain discomfort and small areas of bleeding around the lining of the bone. Sprained Twisted Ankle The most typical kind of ankle sprain occurs when the foot is twisted and rolls to the outside. In this instance, the support ligaments located on the outside of the ankle become sprained. Immediately, the outside of the ankle starts to swell and is throbbing with pain. It is common for it to turn black and blue around the swollen injury. Sprained ankles can happen with different degrees of severity. A mild sprain for instance, would be when a jogger gently steps off a curb and twists their ankle. This incident stretches the ligaments and luckily no real tearing occurs. This is considered to be a mild sprain. A moderate sprain occurs when a tennis player lunges over a poorly planted foot, resulting in the fibers of the ligament becoming partially torn. This is considered to be a moderate sprain. A Severe Sprain occurs when a wrestler jumps and lands on another player's foot, twisting and violently forcing the ankle to the court. The majority of the fibers tear, or all of them tear and this is considered to be a severe sprain. The ankle is probably not broken if it is possible to bear weight on it after the sprain occurs. If you feel pain on the inside of the ankle, an x-ray is recommended to rule out a hair-line fracture. Achilles Tendonitis Injury The Achilles heel tendon is located in the back of the ankle. It is actually the largest tendon in the body. This tendon transfers the force of muscle contractions to lift the heel. An inflammation of the tendon, known as Achilles tendonitis, is generally due to overuse, such as frequent jumping in volleyball or basketball. Excessive pronation of the ankle and foot is the most common cause and this causes the Achilles tendon to pull off center. The symptoms and pain of a torn Achilles tendon feels similar to a gunshot wound in the leg. A partial tear is harder to spot and the symptoms may be more subtle. Foot Arch Pain and Strain The plantar fascia is the elastic covering on the sole of the foot. It holds up the arch and runs the length of the foot. When this vital shock-absorbing pad becomes inflamed, a condition known as plantar fasciitis occurs. This causes a dull ache along the length of the arch. The ache and the plantar fascia strain in the foot are caused by partially tearing or over-stretching the arch pad. This often happens to people who have high, rigid arches. They experience the pain when they put weight on their foot or when pushing off for their next step. Pain is extra intense upon getting up or after sitting for a long period of time. Foot arch pain is quite common among middle-aged people who have been living a sedentary lifestyle and who suddenly increase their level of exercise and physical activity. This dramatic change in lifestyle, although for the better, can make them more susceptible to injuring their foot. Almost any sports that keep the athlete standing or in an upright position can lead to arch pain, however, runners are the most susceptible.