Hamstring strain in runners is one of the most common injuries that not only occur often but have a high risk of 30% for re-injury and a long recovery period. The biceps femoris(shown above)(1) is most susceptible to injury because it undergoes the most negative work in the second half of a leg swing. With men athletes being more prone to pulled hamstrings during running than woman we should analyze the risk factors that are involved, how to prevent re-injury, treatment options, effects on performance, and finally more chronic cases.

Tendonitis is probably not the most accurate term to describe this condition. The ending of the word itis implies that there is inflammation. However this is very far from the truth. There is non inflammatory swelling (thickening) and degenerative process in the tissue of the tendon. This occurs due to repetitive overuse, poor ankle stability, and poor proprioception. Sometimes this disease can be misdiagnosed as an ankle sprain.

Shin splits are typical categorized as an overuse leg injury. This is because they are usually seen in runners and athletes who increase their running or activity. It is a pain on the lower part of the leg located next to the shinbone (tibia). It is caused by stress on the shinbone and tissue that attaches the muscle to the bone. Another name for shin splints is medial tibial stress syndrome. Shin splints are very common in both new and experienced runners. They can be caused by many different factors but luckily most people experience a full recovery after the proper shin splint treatment plan.

Achilles tendinopathy, one of the most common causes of heel pain, is a degenerative condition in which the largest tendon of the body, the Achilles tendon, endures a strains from running, walking, jumping, or strenuous exercise.

While tendinopathy of the Achilles tendon affects both active and inactive individuals, it is most prevalent in athletes, research show 24% of whom will develop this condition. An estimated 50% of runners will Achilles tendinopathy pain at some point in their running career. However, it is also common among people who aren’t athletes or runners: in one study of 58 patients, nearly one-third did not engage in sport related activites.