Athletics Injuries

Athletics track & Field Injuries

Athletes suffer from some of the most common sports injuries. They can either be overuse injuries such as shin splints or compartment syndromes or can occur suddenly for example muscle strains. Most track and field injuries are ‘internal’ injuries meaning they occur within the body itself rather than from external contact with another athlete or player as in many contact sports. Here we explain some of the more common athletic injuries.

Athletics injuries – Sprinting injuries

Muscles strains are common in sprints events, particularly hamstring straingroin strains, and calf strains. Sprinters are always pushing the limits of speed and often training as close to the fine line of injury as possible. Injury risk can be mitigated by proper warm-up which includes dynamic stretching and strength and conditioning.

Shin pain (shin splints) is also a common complaint which is often caused by overuse, running on toes as sprinters do and running on hard surfaces such as running tracks.

Athletics injuries – Jumping injuries

Jumpers incur huge forces through the lower back and knee during take off. Patella tendinitis, known as ‘jumpers knee’ is an overuse injury to the front of the knee. Hamstring strains, groin strains, and back injuries are also common. Injury risk can be reduced by proper warm-up and conditioning to strengthen muscles and avoid muscle imbalances. Overtraining is probably the most common cause of injury and athletes must ensure they have sufficient recovery between training session. Learn to listen to your body and rest if a niggle is detected as a chronic overuse injury can be difficult to cure.

Athletics injuries – Throwing events

Throwing involves high stresses on the lower back and shoulder joint. Rotator cuff injuries are common particularly in the Javelin, often due to the rapid deceleration of the arm once the implement has been released.

Rotator cuff injuries

A rotator cuff strain is a tear to any of the four rotator cuff muscles in the shoulder and is common in throwing and racket sports. They are so-called because their job is to rotate the arm at the shoulder and provide a supportive cuff around the joint. Treatment consists of reducing pain and inflammation followed by a full rehabilitation program consisting of mobility, strengthening, and sports-specific exercises. Read more on the treatment and rehabilitation of rotator cuff strain.

Low back pain

Back pain is also common in the shot, discus and Javelin because of the combination of extension (bending backward) and twisting at the same time. Muscle imbalances can build up and over time lumbar disc problems can occur. Correct warm-up and conditioning can help mitigate the risk of injury. Throwing a number of times with the wrong arm can help prevent muscle imbalances. Read more on lower back pain treatment.

Middle/Long-distance running

Overuse injuries of the legs and feet are most common with long and middle distance running. For example:

Shin splints

Pain at the front of the lower leg is commonly referred to as shin splints. Usually, symptoms occur at the front inside of the shin bone but can arise from a number of causes. We explain the symptoms, treatment, and rehabilitation of medial tibial stress syndrome to cure and prevent it from recurring. Read more on how to prevent and treat shin splints.

Achilles tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis  (also known as Achilles tendinopathy or Achilles tendinosis) is an overuse injury causing pain, inflammation, and or degeneration of the Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle. If this type of injury is not caught early this can be difficult to cure but with the right treatment and particularly eccentric strengthening exercises, a full recovery can usually be achieved. Read more on treatment and rehabilitation of Achilles tendonitis.

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is probably the most common cause of heel pain. Symptoms come on gradually and are often worse first thing in the morning. The plantar fascia is the tissue under the foot which forms the arch. Treatment includes rest, reducing pain and inflammation and stretching exercises. Read more on the symptoms and treatment of Plantar fasciitis.

Bruised Heel

A bruised heel is also known and Policeman’s heel is a contusion or bruising to the tissues under the heel causing pain. Treatment includes rest and protecting the area with padding or taping as well as identifying potential causes and rectifying them. Symptoms consist of pain under the heel bone which usually comes on gradually, although can result instantly from jumping onto the heels from a height. Read more on bruised heel treatment.

Iliotibial Band Syndrome

IT band syndrome or runner’s knee as it is sometimes called is a gradual onset injury causing pain on the outside of the knee. Over time the pain gets progressively worse until the player must stop. Typically they will rest for a period of time until symptoms go only for it to return again as soon as they go back to playing tennis or running. Treatment is based on reducing the pain and inflammation along with stretching, foam roller use, and strengthening exercises. Read more about IT band syndrome.

Patellofemoral pain

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) also known as runner’s knee, chondromalacia patellae is a generic term used to describe kneecap pain at the front of the knee. Symptoms include an aching pain in the knee joint, particularly at the front of the knee around and under the patella. Treatment includes rest, applying ice or cold therapy to reduce pain and inflammation along with a full rehabilitation program of specific exercises along with knee taping. Read more on patella pain treatment.

Lower leg compartment syndrome

Compartment syndromes arise when a muscle becomes too big for the sheath that surrounds it. Symptoms include a deep pain in the lower leg. Acute compartment syndrome can occur due to an impact or injury which causes bleeding and swelling in the muscle sheath. Read more on the causes and treatment of Lateral compartment, anterior compartment, and posterior compartment

Should I see a doctor?

If you have any of the following symptoms you should seek further medical assistance.

  • Severe pain, especially on walking
  • Severe swelling (oedema)
  • Altered sensation in the foot – such as a feeling of “pins and needles” (paresthesia) or a “loss of feeling” (anesthesia).
  • Unable to complete normal daily activities after the initial 72 hours.

Further medical assistance can be sought through either your local GP or a private clinician such as a podiatrist, physiotherapist, sports therapist, osteopath, or chiropractor.  If you have followed the P.R.I.C.E. principles (see below) and are still unable to walk after 72 hours or still have severe pain that is not subsiding after the first 72 hours you should visit your local A&E department for further assessment.

Secondly, if you have applied for P.R.I.C.E. principles and still have weakness that lasts a long time (more than 2 weeks) or have ongoing discomfort in your foot or heel, you are highly recommended to seek advice from a specialist expert – such as a podiatrist or physiotherapist, osteopath, or chiropractor – who can provide you with advice and an appropriate and effective recovery and rehabilitation program.

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