COMMON RUNNING INJURIES

Even the most experienced runners are susceptible to injury. Dr. Alessandra Falk identifies these injuries that may plague runners:

■ Achilles tendon injuries. This painful overuse injury happens when the large tendon in the back of the ankle becomes irritated and inflamed.

■ Knee injuries. When knees twist suddenly while bearing weight, the meniscus (the shock absorber of the knee) can tear. A meniscus tear may also occur with the tearing of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

■ Sprains, strains and muscle pulls. Ankle sprains and strains generally occur due to tripping over an unseen obstacle or inadequate stretching. Small muscle tears can affect nearly any muscle that is overused.

■ Stress fractures. This type of injury is often caused by overtraining, insufficient calcium or a flaw in training style, such as an uneven running stride.

If you experience any of these injuries, make an appointment to talk to a sports medicine specialist.