Runners with a chronic compartment syndrome present a history of lower leg inflammation
and painful pressure of the involved lower leg that occurs at a specific moment during the
training session. These runners also will complain of weakness along the distribution of
the involved nerve. Treatment is surgical; however, stretching activities and the use of an
air stirrup with an anteior tibial pad may help produce pressure changes.
Achilles tendinitis, although decreasing in frequency, remains a relatively common
situation among runners. The plantar flexors of the ankle are the major power generators of the lower
extremity during running. Achilles tenidinitis sufferers will complain of increased
symptoms when getting out of bed in the morning, difficulty with stair climbing and decreased
push-off while walking. Treatment includes flexibility and eccentric strengthening activities,
ice massage, 15 mm heel lifts, and a resting night splint. If symptoms persist for more than
six months, surgery includes excision of scar tissue and granulation tissue as well as an
osteotomy.
Runners account for 69& of all stress fractures either through high stresses on normal bone or normal to high stresses on weakened bone. Leg length descrepency, poor running terrain, poor running surface and the presence of poorly rehabilitated/conditioned previous injuries can predispose the runner to stress fractures.