Running Injuries

Book a consultation with one of our doctors if:

Your pain persists for more than a week: If your running injury pain remains constant or worsens despite rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers for over a week, consult a doctor or physiotherapist for diagnosis and a treatment plan.
The pain significantly impacts your daily activities: Running pain that hinders your ability to walk, climb stairs, or perform daily tasks like getting dressed warrants a doctor's evaluation.
The pain progressively worsens: If the pain in your foot, ankle, knee, or leg gets steadily worse over time, even with minimal activity, seeking professional help is crucial to prevent further complications.
The pain disrupts your sleep: Pain that interferes with your sleep due to discomfort can significantly impact your recovery. Consult a doctor if your running injury pain affects your sleep quality.
You have a history of running injuries: Even seemingly minor pain could indicate lingering issues. A doctor's evaluation can help prevent recurrence.
The pain is sudden and severe: A sudden onset of intense pain, especially after a fall or misstep while running, requires immediate medical attention to rule out fractures, ligament tears, or other serious injuries.
The pain is accompanied by swelling, redness, or bruising: These symptoms alongside pain could indicate a more serious condition like a stress fracture or bursitis. See a doctor right away.
You experience numbness or tingling: Numbness or tingling in your foot or leg can indicate nerve damage and requires prompt medical evaluation.
You are unable to bear weight on your injured leg: If the pain makes it impossible to put any weight on your injured leg, see a doctor right away to determine the cause and prevent further complications.
You experience instability or deformity in the injured joint: A feeling of instability or a visible deformity in your joint could indicate a ligament tear or dislocation, requiring immediate medical attention.

Information

Book a consultation with one of our doctors if:

Your pain persists for more than a week: If your running injury pain remains constant or worsens despite rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers for over a week, consult a doctor or physiotherapist for diagnosis and a treatment plan.
The pain significantly impacts your daily activities: Running pain that hinders your ability to walk, climb stairs, or perform daily tasks like getting dressed warrants a doctor's evaluation.
The pain progressively worsens: If the pain in your foot, ankle, knee, or leg gets steadily worse over time, even with minimal activity, seeking professional help is crucial to prevent further complications.
The pain disrupts your sleep: Pain that interferes with your sleep due to discomfort can significantly impact your recovery. Consult a doctor if your running injury pain affects your sleep quality.
You have a history of running injuries: Even seemingly minor pain could indicate lingering issues. A doctor's evaluation can help prevent recurrence.
The pain is sudden and severe: A sudden onset of intense pain, especially after a fall or misstep while running, requires immediate medical attention to rule out fractures, ligament tears, or other serious injuries.
The pain is accompanied by swelling, redness, or bruising: These symptoms alongside pain could indicate a more serious condition like a stress fracture or bursitis. See a doctor right away.
You experience numbness or tingling: Numbness or tingling in your foot or leg can indicate nerve damage and requires prompt medical evaluation.
You are unable to bear weight on your injured leg: If the pain makes it impossible to put any weight on your injured leg, see a doctor right away to determine the cause and prevent further complications.
You experience instability or deformity in the injured joint: A feeling of instability or a visible deformity in your joint could indicate a ligament tear or dislocation, requiring immediate medical attention.

Do’s:

Rest: Avoid running or activities that aggravate your injury. Take breaks from high-impact exercise and allow your body time to heal.
Apply ice: Use ice packs wrapped in a towel for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day, to reduce inflammation and pain.
Consider compression: Wearing compression socks or sleeves can help reduce swelling and provide support to the injured area. (Consult a doctor before using compression)
Elevate your injured limb: When resting, elevate your injured foot or leg above your heart to reduce swelling.
Try over-the-counter pain relievers: Medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage pain and inflammation. (Consult your doctor before taking any medications)
Seek professional help: Consult a doctor, physiotherapist, or sports medicine specialist for proper diagnosis, treatment plan, and rehabilitation guidance.
Perform gentle stretching and strengthening exercises (once approved by a professional): These exercises can improve flexibility, stability, and prevent future injuries.
Maintain good posture: Proper posture helps distribute weight evenly throughout your body and reduces stress on your joints.
Cross-train with low-impact activities: Consider low-impact activities like swimming, cycling, or elliptical training while you recover from your running injury.

Don't:

Ignore the pain: Persistent pain is a sign something's wrong. Don't push through the pain, as it can worsen the injury.
Apply heat to a new injury: Heat can increase inflammation in acute cases. Stick to ice for the first few days.
Return to running too soon: Resuming running before your injury is fully healed increases the risk of further complications.
Neglect stretching and strengthening exercises (before approved by a professional): While rest is important, neglecting prescribed exercises can hinder your recovery.
Wear improper footwear: Ensure you wear appropriate running shoes that provide good support and cushioning.
Ignore unusual symptoms: Numbness, tingling, or a dull ache that persists despite rest could indicate nerve damage. Consult a doctor if you experience these.
Increase training intensity or mileage too quickly: Gradual progression is key to preventing running injuries.
Train on uneven surfaces: Running on uneven terrain can increase stress on your joints. Choose smooth, flat surfaces whenever possible.
Neglect proper warm-up and cool-down: Always warm up before running and cool down afterward to improve flexibility and prevent injury.

Possible Questions:

Can you describe your pain? (Location, intensity, duration)
When did the pain first start? (Acute vs. chronic)
Did you experience a specific event or activity that triggered the pain? (Fall, change in training)
What activities seem to aggravate the pain? (Running distance, terrain)
Does anything seem to improve the pain? (Rest, ice, medication)
Have you noticed any swelling, redness, bruising, or deformity in the injured area?
How often and how far do you typically run? (Weekly mileage, training program)
What type of running shoes do you wear? (Cushioned, stability, replacement frequency)
Do you perform any regular stretching or strengthening exercises?
Do you have any pre-existing medical conditions? (Arthritis, previous injuries)
Are you currently taking any medications?

1.Symptoms

How can I tell if my pain is a serious running injury?

Sharp pain, swelling, or persistent discomfort are all signs you may have an injury. It's important to distinguish between normal muscle soreness and a potential injury. If pain worsens with activity, persists for several days, or significantly impacts your running form, consult a specialist.

Visit our Symptoms & Causes page for more information.

What are some common running injuries?

Common injuries include shin splints, runner's knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome), Achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, and stress fractures. Each injury presents with specific symptoms in different areas of the leg or foot.

Visit our Symptoms & Causes page for more information.

2.Diagnosis

How do you diagnose running injuries at LIPS?

Our specialists diagnose running injuries through a comprehensive approach. This may involve:

Discussing your running history, training routine, and the nature of your pain.
Performing a physical examination to assess your range of motion, strength, and tenderness.
Using diagnostic tools like X-rays or ultrasounds in some cases to confirm a diagnosis.

Visit our Diagnosis & Treatment page for more information.

How long does it take to get diagnosed with a running injury?

In many cases, a diagnosis can be confirmed during your initial consultation at LIPS.

Visit our Diagnosis & Treatment page for more information.

3.Treatment

What treatment options are available for running injuries at LIPS?

Our team creates personalised treatment plans to address your specific injury and get you back to running safely. Treatment may include:

Rest and Activity Modification: Resting the affected area and gradually returning to running with proper modifications are crucial.
Physical Therapy: Exercises to improve flexibility, strength, and stability can promote healing and prevent future injuries.
Pain Management: Medication, ice therapy, and other techniques can help manage pain and inflammation.
Orthotics or Bracing: In some cases, custom orthotics or braces can provide additional support and promote healing.

Visit our Diagnosis & Treatment page for more information.

How long does it take to recover from a running injury?

Recovery time varies depending on the severity of the injury. Our team will provide a personalised timeline for recovery and guide you safely back to running.

Visit our Diagnosis & Treatment page for more information.

4.Insurance

At LIPS we work with a wide range of insurance providers. Our dedicated team can assist you in verifying your coverage and understanding any associated costs for running injury diagnosis and treatment.

Do you accept my insurance plan?

Please don't hesitate to inquire about your specific insurance plan. We can help you navigate the insurance process and ensure you receive the best possible care to get you back on the running track.

How does LIPS work with the National Health Service?

Our goal is to give you answers as quickly as possible and get you on the right treatment path fast – no strings attached. When you come to us, you will be seen by a qualified specialist who can determine if your situation is serious or not that same day. We don’t want you to wait weeks on end for an appointment because every minute counts when it comes to something as important as your health. If your situation is serious, our specialist will write to your doctor on the NHS advising them that you need an urgent appointment.