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Lead Stories: Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Runner’s Knee and the processes of prevention & healing

Posted June 14th, 2007 at 11:00 AM by Courtney Albon

Section: Running & Training, Injury & Rehab, Health & Fitness, Injury & Rehab

The term “runner’s knee” refers to an inflammation of the tendon, the (ITB), that is located on the outside of the thigh. As injury to this tendon often results from overuse of the knees, and runner’s rely on their knees to function within their sport, the title “runner’s knee” is quite appropriate. The name is, however, deceptively exclusive as runner’s knee describes an ailment common among individuals who are active in a spectrum of activities such as biking, walking, or jumping.

As mentioned above, the inflammation of the ITB can be a result of overuse or overstretching of the tendon in any activity that requires repeated knee bending. Misalignment is also a factor in the injury. If a bone is out of it’s correct position, then the excess stress being placed elsewhere can result in the pulling and inflammation of the ITB. The tendon can also undergo stress because of weak thigh muscles or a direct injury to the knee such as a fall or a blow. Runners with flat feet, or fallen arches, often have knee problems as the ITB is forced to stretch in order to compensate for the missing arch.
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The Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Posted January 12th, 2007 at 5:00 PM by Paul Petersen

Section: Nutrition, Healthy Eating, Health & Fitness

Early in the summer of 2006, my “running” hit an all-time low. I use the term “running” loosely, because at that time I had not actually ran in over two months. A better description would be that my overall physical well-being hit an all-time low, as I was suffering from an adductor strain, lower pain back and acute plantar fasciitis all at the same time. My training and racing plans had spiraled into the toilet of pain and inflammation. All I really wanted at that point was just to feel like a healthy twenty-something again … never mind running!

The worst point was in mid-June when I was at a week-long professional conference. I was engaging in my typical travel diet: eating meals at brewpubs every night that consisted primarily of foods high in “vitamin B” (batter). Of course I’d wash these delightful fried foods down with plenty of “hoppy” adult beverages. It sounded good, but it didn’t feel good. Every morning it felt like a chore just to bend over, tie my shoes and limp over to the continental breakfast. The inflammation in my lower back and plantar fascia was at an all-time high.

When I got home from the conference, I was a bit tired of meat, grease, and salt; so my wife and I started making vegetarian cuisines over the next few days just for variety. A week or so later I noticed that my back pain was diminishing, and even my foot was a bit less inflamed. I knew immediately it was the inadvertent change in diet. At that point, I started researching the effects of diet and nutrition on inflammation and applying them religiously. Here is what I found:
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Shin Splints: What a pain in the leg!

Posted November 29th, 2006 at 4:00 PM by Jonathan Faccone

Section: Running & Training, Injury & Rehab, Health & Fitness, Injury & Rehab

shin splints.gif One of the most common nuisances for athletes, and especially runners, is having to deal with shin splints. Anyone who has experienced pain in the front part of their lower leg, possibly some swelling and/or other shin-area irritation has likely had the unfortunate (albeit very common) experience of shin splints. They can be incredibly irritating, painful and can even impede on your performance and/or training regimen.

The scientific term for shin splints is traction periostitis and they occur when the legs are subjected to constant pounding (often from running on hard surfaces such as asphalt or concrete sidewalks). Shin splints are even more common for new runners or runners who have recently increased their weekly mileage, running surface or training intensity because their legs are just not used to the stress. That’s why it’s important to remember to take such changes slowly. This will help to prevent shin splints and a myriad of other common running injuries. Read the rest of this entry »

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Avoiding and treating ankle sprains

Posted November 22nd, 2006 at 3:00 PM by Trish Monks

Section: Running & Training, Injury & Rehab, Health & Fitness, Injury & Rehab

Ankle sprain injury prevention About 8 years ago I sprained my right ankle really badly. I was playing football in the back garden (as you do), my foot went into a hole in the grass and I went over like a sack of potatoes. I heard the crunch and had enough time to think, “Ohh, this is going to hurt!”, before the pain hit me and I fell on the floor in a weeping, wailing heap.

It was the second time in about 6 months that I had sprained that side, and, as the first time the pain had only lasted a couple of days, I thought it would be the same on this occasion. I didn’t even think about going to the doctor, I just got to work with a bag of frozen peas and ordered a lot of anti-inflammatories.

In hindsight, this probably wasn’t one of my finest decisions. The following few days brought untold pain, bruising from toe to shin and an inability to walk or even drive: And even worse, it turned out that my problems were only just beginning. Read the rest of this entry »

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