Orthopaedics

Overuse Injuries of Runners: Q&A with Dr. Paul Hecht

Overuse Injuries of Runners Home | Overuse injury of ligament: Plantar Fasciitis | Overuse injury of tendon: Achilles Tendinitis | Overuse injury of bone: Stress Fractures | Overuse injuries: A Recap


Overuse injury of tendon: Achilles Tendinitis

Q: I feel pain in the back of my leg when I try to run. What's going on?

A: If you have swelling or a lump in your Achilles tendon—the area on the back of your leg just above your heel—you may be experiencing Achilles tendinitis. Read more about the condition in the Health Encyclopedia

This injury results from an overuse of the tendon or a partial tear; this condition is characterized by:

  • Pain when you try to run
  • Swelling or a lump over the back of the heel, between 6-8 cm (approximately 2-3 inches) from where the tendon inserts to the heel bone

Questions to ask yourself include:

  • Have I just begun a running program?
  • Have I increased the mileage I run recently?
  • Have I been running at greater intensity recently?
  • Have I changed my running shoes recently?

Q: What do I do now that I have injured myself?

A: Dr. Hecht recommends "relative rest" as the best treatment. In other words, ease back on the activities that caused the injury, and do something else for a while:

  • Cross-train on a bicycle, rowing machine, or elliptical trainer
  • Begin or resume lower-impact activities such as stretching or strengthening exercises

Q: I have tried to change my exercise habits but the pain won't go away. What now?

A: If your symptoms don't go away or improve after two or three weeks, seek professional advice. You may need to see your primary care doctor, a specialist certified in sports medicine, or a physical therapist.

Dr. Hecht explains that orthopaedic surgeons try not to do a surgical procedure for this kind of injury unless there is a chronic tear of the tendon.