With an ISU indoor track meet scheduled for this weekend, Mike Shaffer, physical therapist at Cyclone Sports Medicine, said there are many injuries associated mainly with running. Shaffer said the five most common injuries in runners are stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, compartment syndrome, shin splints and hamstring sprains. A stress fracture can often be confused with shin splints, but the injuries are significantly different and runners should be aware of that difference, he said. The bone is stressed repetitively, leading to a small fracture. It is similar to taking a paper clip and bending it repetitively until it finally breaks.
Stress fractures can occur at any time, but they often are caused by a build-up of stress.
The treatment is a simple reduction in activity for four to six weeks and engaging in mostly non-weight bearing conditioning, Shaffer said. The second injury, plantar fasciitis, is an inflammation of connective tissue on the bottom of the foot, he said. It typically affects individuals with flat feet. Treatment for the ailment involves stretching, ice, anti-inflammatories and arch supports, Shaffer said. Compartment syndrome, the third injury, is a compression of the soft tissues in the lower leg, he said.