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Common Running Injuries

By , About.com Guide

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Despite your best injury prevention efforts, you may find yourself dealing with some aches and pains. Most running injuries take a few weeks to develop and then another couple of weeks to heal. Learn more about these common injuries, their causes, and treatments.

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis is an injury that occurs when your Achilles tendon -- the large band of tissues connecting the muscles in the back of your lower leg to your heel bone -- becomes inflamed or irritated.

Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains are often caused by the twisting or rolling of your ankle and result in swelling and pain above and around the ankle.

Black Toenails

Runners, especially those training for long-distance events, can suffer from black toenails, caused by the toes rubbing up against the front of the running shoe. A blood blister forms under the toenail and the nail eventually falls off.

Blisters

While not a serious injury, blisters – those fluid-filled bubbles of skin on your feet – can be painful and keep you from running.

Illiotibial Band Syndrome

Marked by a sharp, burning knee or hip pain, Illiotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) is a very common injury among runners.

Muscle Pulls or Strains

Muscle pulls and strains are common and annoying injuries for runners, marked by pain and tightness in the affected muscle.

Runner's Knee

A common complaint among long-distance runners, runner's knee feels like a soreness around and sometimes behind the kneecap.

Plantar Fasciitis

Heel pain in runners is usually caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a condition known as plantar fasciitis.

Shin Splints

One of the most common injuries for beginner runners, shin splints are characterized by pain in the front of the lower leg.

Stress Fractures

Stress fractures, or tiny cracks in the surface of a bone, are serious running injuries that requires immediate treatment.
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