This 2012 systematic review searched 5 databases (1947–2011) to identify the most common specific running-related musculoskeletal injuries by incidence and prevalence. Eight studies encompassing 3,500 runners were included. General runners and ultra-marathoners were analyzed separately because their injury profiles differ substantially.
When a runner walks into your clinic with lower-leg pain, your differential should lead with medial tibial stress syndrome, Achilles tendinopathy, and plantar fasciitis — in that order for most recreational runners.
If your patient is an ultra-marathoner, reorder your suspicion: Achilles tendinopathy and patellofemoral syndrome dominate multi-day racing injuries, and ankle dorsiflexor tendinopathy ("ultra-marathoner's ankle") is essentially pathognomonic for that population.
Master runners deserve special attention for plantar fasciitis. At 17.5% prevalence in the largest cohort, it is the most common foot injury in older runners. Age-related loss of fat pad resilience and plantar fascia compliance is the proposed mechanism.
Avoid charting "runner's knee" as a diagnosis. This review highlights that the term is used inconsistently for both patellofemoral syndrome and iliotibial band syndrome. Two distinct entities with different management. Use precise anatomic diagnoses.
This 2012 systematic review searched 5 databases (1947–2011) to identify the most common specific running-related musculoskeletal injuries by incidence and prevalence. Eight studies encompassing 3,500 runners were included. General runners and ultra-marathoners were analyzed separately because their injury profiles differ substantially.
When a runner walks into your clinic with lower-leg pain, your differential should lead with medial tibial stress syndrome, Achilles tendinopathy, and plantar fasciitis — in that order for most recreational runners.
If your patient is an ultra-marathoner, reorder your suspicion: Achilles tendinopathy and patellofemoral syndrome dominate multi-day racing injuries, and ankle dorsiflexor tendinopathy ("ultra-marathoner's ankle") is essentially pathognomonic for that population.
Master runners deserve special attention for plantar fasciitis. At 17.5% prevalence in the largest cohort, it is the most common foot injury in older runners. Age-related loss of fat pad resilience and plantar fascia compliance is the proposed mechanism.
Avoid charting "runner's knee" as a diagnosis. This review highlights that the term is used inconsistently for both patellofemoral syndrome and iliotibial band syndrome. Two distinct entities with different management. Use precise anatomic diagnoses.