The most common running foot injuries are plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuroma, foot tendonitis and stress fractures of the foot. These injuries are typical of runners, triathletes and marathon runners.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar aponeurosis of the foot. The tendon that supports the plantar bony arch is inflamed. It inserts into the calcaneal bone and its repetitive traction on the bone can produce a Calcaneal Spur (a calcification).
It presents as pain in the heel or in the medial area of the sole of the foot. It is due to repetitive microtrauma on the sole of the foot (basketball, volleyball, footing….). It is aggravated by a bad congenital support of the foot and inadequate footwear. It usually hurts in the morning when getting up, when the tendon is cold. It improves when walking and when the tendon warms up.
The initial treatment is massage with local cold (bottle with frozen water as a roller), morning stretching and anti-inflammatory drugs. Physiotherapy or ultrasound-guided infiltrations may be necessary. Finally, surgery.
Once the initial phase is over, a study of the gait and foot support is necessary. This will prevent repeated episodes of plantar fasciitis.
Morton’s neuroma
It is the inflammation of the interosseous nerve that passes between the toes (metatarsals). The sheath covering the nerve thickens.
The main cause is repetitive microtrauma to the sole of the foot, associated with congenital malposition of the foot. It usually affects the first 3 interdigital spaces of the foot. The initial treatment is local cold and anti-inflammatory drugs. Physiotherapy, eco-guided infiltrations and surgery may be necessary.
Tendinitis of the Foot and Stress Fractures of the Foot
Both pathologies have a common origin: repetitive microtrauma on the foot (jogging, mountain walking, jumping….). It mainly affects the metatarsal bones of the foot. It can be aggravated by poor support on the sole of the foot (congenital deformity, heels, shoes, ….).
Once the initial phase is over, a study of the gait and foot support is necessary. The initial treatment is local cold and anti-inflammatory drugs. It may be necessary physiotherapy (magnetotherapy), eco-guided infiltrations or surgery.