DMC Sports Performance Academy manager Laura Ramus knows that wearing the wrong pair of running shoes can cause many injuries to the body. She knows this become she almost fell victim to the wrong shoe, twice. Wearing an incompatible running shoe can create hip, knee, and back pain and can induce injuries such as Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis. Ramus also recalled her toes going numb while wearing a pair of shoes that were not wide enough. This occurs because each person has a different type of foot width, arch and, pronation. Certain feet can fit into nearly any shoe, but if a foot is too wide or has too high of an arch, it is important to be fitted into the appropriate shoe. 

Running can be a great way to keep your body healthy and in-shape, but it can also lead to injuries if you’re not careful. If you have a running injury or have an interest in preventing one, contact Dr. Sharon Pletcher of Pennsylvania. Dr. Pletcher can instruct you on proper running techniques and help you keep your lower extremities safe.

How to Prevent Running Injuries
Many common running injuries are caused by overuse and overtraining. When the back of the kneecap starts wearing out and starts causing pain in your knee, this is commonly referred to as runner’s knee. Runner’s knee is a decrease in strength in your quadriceps and can occur if you’re not wearing properly fitted or supporting shoes. Runner’s knee usually is treated with strengthening exercises focusing on the quad muscles and sports orthotic. To prevent runner’s knee, focusing on hip strengthening is a good idea, as well as strengthening your quads to keep the kneecaps aligned. Physical therapy can help you learn the best exercises to heal runner’s knee.

What Are Some Causes of Running Injuries?
- One cause of a common running injury is called iliotibial band syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis is also another common injury.
- Stress fractures can occur from overtraining, lack of calcium, or even your running style.

Best Ways to Prevent Running Injuries
- Wear footwear that fits properly and suits your running needs.
- Running shoes are the only protective gear that runners have to safeguard them from injury.
- Make a training schedule.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in State College, PA. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.

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