What effect does running have on the foot?

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Whether you're jogging for fun, fitness, or a marathon, you're putting your body and your feet under a lot of strain. When you run, you put six times your body weight through each foot, emphasizing any tiny or major potential issues substantially. 

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Potential issues and when to seek a podiatrist's aid:

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The body's way of informing you when something is amiss is pain. Pay attention to your body and take action. Aches and pains are common side effects of training. Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is a common side effect of muscles healing themselves after a workout. This usually happens one or two days following a workout session and lasts only a few days. An injury is something that doesn't go away and forces you to halt or cut back on your training.

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The following are the most common injuries suffered by runners: 

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• Aches and pains at the front of the knee

Pain in and/or around the front of the knee or knee cap is known as Patellofemoral pain syndrome. This is usually made worse by repeated knee bending (such as when jogging) and going up and down stairs. The discomfort is usually vague, and there is little or no edema. 

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• Pain typically on the outside of the knee

ITBFS (Iliotibial band friction syndrome) is an overuse injury characterized by a tightening of the band of tissue that runs down the outside of the thigh and inserts into the outside of the knee. Due to the greater angle of the leg when running, pain usually occurs when the foot reaches the ground. 

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• Achilles tendon pain

Another overuse injury is Achilles Tendinopathy, which affects the tendon in the rear of the leg and foot. This can start gradually or become unpleasant after a particularly strenuous workout. With POLICE, early treatment is essential, addressing any mechanical anomalies that may exist before moving on to a strengthening program. 

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• Shin splints

This is known as Medial tibial stress syndrome, and it is a pain that develops in the front or inside of the shin that lessens once you've warmed up but becomes severe the next morning after exercise. Shin pain can be caused by a mechanical cause related to lower leg position, which should be corrected. 

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• Heel pain

Plantar fasciitis, often known as heel pain, occurs when you first stand up in the morning or after a period of rest. As you warm up, this improves, but the more exercise you do, the worse it becomes. Podiatrists are in a great position to help with this since orthotics may relieve stress on the band of tissue beneath the foot. 

 

All of the aforementioned injuries require medical attention.

 

If you believe you have one of the conditions listed above, you should see a podiatrist. The podiatrist can evaluate your running or walking mechanics and provide recommendations, stretches, or exercises to improve performance and prevent injury in the future. 

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Keeping your feet in good shape so you can run

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To avoid blisters, keep your feet clean and dry. To avoid athlete's foot, make sure you shower and dry your feet properly after you've gone for a run. To avoid general soreness from a lack of cushioning or reduced support, replace your trainers after 500 miles. Trainers don't last indefinitely! 

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Running Shoes

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There are some companies that specialize in ‘functional footwear' for running rather than fashion footwear. There are also a variety of trainers available with varying levels of support to accommodate different foot types. Our podiatrists can recommend the best running shoes for you. 

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Socks

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Specialist shops should be able to recommend socks that fit better, wick perspiration away from the foot, avoid blisters, and even feature silver threads to minimize odour and prevent athlete's foot infections.

 

You don't have to put up with it any longer.