Five of the more common women-specific running injuries are highlighted and discussed by Jason Karp

Your performance as a runner is dependent on a delicate balance between periods of intensive training and periods of recovery and it is this balance which allows for optimal musculoskeletal adaptations. Failure to allow for adequate recovery between training sessions can lead to a breakdown of the body s ability to repair itself and eventually to an overuse injury. Injuries result from repeatedly applying a stress to a particular body part over a period of time.

Unlike their male counterparts, women are further predisposed to injury due to the unique relationship between mechanical, hormonal, and nutritional factors. Below are listed the most common women-specific running injuries, with details on their causes, symptoms and treatments.

Stress fractures

These occur when more stress is applied to a bone than what the bone can handle. The most common stress fracture sites in women runners are the medial (inside) or posterior (back) portion of the tibia bone (the larger of your two lower leg bones) and the metatarsal bones in your foot.

Causes

Menstrual irregularities
Low oestrogen level
Low bone mineral density
Lack of lower leg muscle mass
Insufficient intake of calories and nutrients in diet

Symptoms

A gradual onset of pain that develops towards the end of a run stress fractures are characterised by a sharp pain at a specific point on the bone that can be felt when pressing on it. Sometimes, swelling over the fracture site occurs. With continued running, the pain increases and starts earlier in the activity. If left untreated, pain occurs with walking and even at rest. In the case of a femoral neck stress fracture, the pain is usually felt in the groin and is often confused with a groin strain.

Treatment

No running for four to eight weeks
Adequate intake of calories, calcium and vitamin D
Strengthen muscle groups surrounding the joints above and below the fracture site
Daily supplementation with calcium (2000 mg) and vitamin D (800 International units)

Patellofemoral pain syndrome

This is the fancy medical term for knee pain. Any alterations in patellar tracking (the movement of the patella within the groove in your femur) can cause someone to suffer from patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Causes

Strength imbalance in stabilising muscles
Sub-optimal lower leg running mechanics
Increased stress across the patellofemoral joint
Hip muscle weakness
Hip width and angle of femur meeting the patella (Q-angle)
Excessive or insufficient pronation
Training errors including changes in frequency, duration and intensity

Symptoms

Usual indicators are a pain behind, below or around the patella (kneecap) that increases with running or ascending or descending stairs. It usually comes on gradually and gets worse when you run or when you walk up or down stairs.

Treatment

1) Strengthen hip muscles
2) Try orthotics, which help stabilise the foot when running and also reduce impact
3) Put something around your knee, like a brace or sleeve, to stabilise the knee while you run
4) Reduce running volume
5) Discontinue hill running until pain subsides

Iliotibial band syndrome

Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) is the most common cause of lateral knee pain among runners. It occurs from repetitive friction of the iliotibial band rubbing against the outside of the knee.

The iliotibial band is a sheath of connective tissue that runs down your thigh from your hip to just below your knee.

Causes

Excessive or abrupt increases in running mileage
Pre-existing iliotibial band tightness
Too much downhill running
Too much uni-directional running around a track
Too much running on cambered roads, which causes overpronation
Stiff shoes that limit pronation
High-arched feet that don t adequately pronate, which transfers the shock of landing to other parts of the leg
Hip and gluteal muscle weakness
Running mechanics, specifically changes in knee flexion at heel-strike and internal rotation of the leg

Symptoms

A sensation of tightness on the outside of your knee that progresses into a localised pain or burning sensation, especially when you bend your knee, run downhill, or walk downstairs. Pressing on the outside of the knee while flexing the knee, usually reproduces the pain. Some runners experience a clicking sensation that results from the iliotibial band tightening and snapping across the joint when their knees flex and extend.

Treatment

Stretch the IT band
Ice three to four times a day
Rest until pain subsides
Foam roll your IT band
Strengthen hips and glutes

Achilles tendinitis and tendinosis

The Achilles tendon attaches the two calf muscles to your heel. Named after the Greek god Achilles for its strength, the Achilles tendon is the thickest and strongest tendon in your body. While inflammation (tendinitis) may contribute to your symptoms in the first few days, symptoms are the result of a degenerative process (tendinosis) in the collagen fibres that make up the tissue.

Causes

Inappropriate increases in mileage
Too much interval training
Hill running
Inadequate recovery time between workouts
Calf weakness
Over-pronation
Poor calf muscle flexibility

Symptoms

The warning signs are a gradual onset of pain over the Achilles tendon. In mild cases, you may experience pain only when you run. As it becomes more severe, you may experience pain with your normal daily activities or even at rest. The tendon area will become tender to the touch and also be visibly swollen. Pinching the tendon between your thumb and forefinger usually reproduces the pain.

Treatment

Reduce your training
Ice the tendon three to four times a day
Strengthen your calf muscles with eccentric training, which promotes the formation of collagen
Get different shoes if over-pronation is the cause of your Achilles tendinitis

Plantar fasciitis

The plantar fascia is a band of connective tissue on the bottom of your foot that runs from your heel to your toes. It acts like a ligament that helps support the arch of your foot when you run. Plantar fasciitis is a degenerative condition in which the fascia on the bottom of your foot has become irritated. As a result of this degeneration, microscopic tears occur when the plantar fascia is overloaded and it loses its ability to support your arch.

Causes

Flat or high-arched feet
Increasing mileage or speed training too quickly
Calf muscle weakness
Weakness in the muscles of the sole of the foot

Symptoms

Pain on the inside edge of the heel or along the arch are usually a sign of a problem. The pain is often worse in taking the first steps in the morning or after prolonged sitting. It usually decreases slightly when you run but aches after you run. As the condition becomes more severe, the pain may be present all of the time when you run or walk.

Treatment

Back off on the volume and intensity of running
Stretch and strengthen calf muscles
Roll your foot over a small foam roller or a golf or tennis ball for a few minutes at a time and a few times each day
Wear a splint overnight to hold your foot in a flexed position while you sleep

Dr Jason Karp holds a PhD in exercise physiology and is a prolific writer with more than 200 articles published in magazines as well as being the author of five books. He is also a frequent speaker at coaching conferences

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