By: Anna Maria Infante, Chiropodist

The foot has 26 bones, 33 joints and 112 ligaments, which are perfectly designed for running. However, running injuries are unavoidable for many and sometimes the key is to understand what causes the injury and identifying the types of treatments available. Below are some of the most common running injuries and the treatments you can seek with a trained Chiropodist, now available at Medcan.

Plantar Fasciitis - Micro tears in the plantar fascia at the insertion of the heel causes pain in the bottom of the foot, one of the most common foot ailments among runners. The pain may be worse for some people when they are getting out of bed in the morning or when rising after sitting for a while. Treatments often include stretching exercises, ice, rest, proper footwear, and custom-made orthotics. Here at Medcan, the orthotics are fabricated from a custom plaster of paris mold of the feet.  When the patient wears the orthotics, the foot is held in the correct position and therefore reduces the aches and pains, allowing the foot to function properly.

Neuroma - Occurring in the forefoot, the most common cause of this injury is when there is an enlargement of the sheath, or pinching of the nerve that is located between the metatarsals (the long bones in the forefoot). The pain itself feels like a burning sensation. There may also be some numbness in the toes (most commonly the third and fourth).  Treatment consists of wider more supportive shoes, custom-made orthotics and if necessary cortisone injection and surgery. 

Achilles Tendonitis - Achilles Tendonitis is commonly caused by tightening of the calf muscles and running on an inflamed tendon, which can lead to partial tears and eventually cause it to rupture. This injury can be prevented by making sure you stretch the calf and Achilles after every workout. Also, consider switching to a firmer and more motion-controlled shoe that limits rear foot motion. If your Achilles continues to cause you pain, take a few days off your running routine to allow for proper healing. Continuing to run can potentially lead to permanent damage.

Stress Fractures - Chronic stress to the bone from prolonged overtraining or switching from running on soft surfaces to running on hard surfaces can cause stress fractures. A stress fracture is a partial break or crack in the bone, usually occurring in the first, second or third metatarsals. If you have a stress fracture, you will find that the top of the foot will hurt to touch and there may also be some swelling. The good news is most stress fractures heal without any complications. However, you will need to halt your training for at least six weeks to allow for the bone to heal.

There are many different types of runners/cross-trainers on the market and it can be quite overwhelming choosing the correct shoe for your foot structure. Wearing a trainer that is the improper fit for your foot could predispose you to an injury. Here at Medcan we offer a knowledgeable Chiropodist who can give you a specialized assessment. The Chiropodist will perform a full biomechanical assessment of your feet using a gait analysis. A gait analysis is a computerized pressure plate that assists in analyzing and detecting unusual foot function. This scan will allow the Chiropodist to recommend proper runners and possibly orthotics and help to ensure that you have a successful and  injury free running season.