Running injuries.

Abstract

Overuse is the primary culprit in most running injuries, with biomechanical factors playing a much smaller role. A review of some of the most common and recalcitrant injuries in adults and adolescents is presented. Discussion of the pathophysiology of tendon injuries, stress fractures of the lower extremities, and apophysitis in adolescents is undertaken, and treatment strategies are proposed. Additionally, non-musculoskeletal events that may be related to a musculoskeletal injury such as exercise-associated amenorrhea and chronic fatigue or depression are reviewed. That running may promulgate osteoarthritis is still controversial. Most studies are limited by their retrospective design. However, the preponderance of data gives insufficient credence to the idea of osteoarthritis as a complication of long-distance running. With regard to treatment, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs appear to play little or no effective role in the management of running injuries.