Running is an excellent way to stay fit and active but can also cause foot-related issues and injuries.

At Bucks Podiatry, we totally get how running affects your feet. We're here to help you get back to doing what you love quickly after an injury.

Running exerts repetitive impact and stress on the feet, leading to discomfort, pain, and long-term issues if not managed effectively. Runners commonly encounter foot problems and injuries such as:

Blisters: Blisters form due to friction and rubbing on the skin's surface. They can be painful and may lead to infection, especially when running with ill-fitting shoes or damp socks.

Black Toenails: Long-distance runners and those who regularly do downhill running should be cautious of developing black toenails, which occur due to repeated impact of toes against the front of the shoe, resulting in blood accumulation beneath the toenail. Proper footwear and running techniques are essential to minimise this discomfort and potential nail loss.

Plantar Fasciitis: Runners often develop plantar fasciitis, a common foot problem caused by inflamed tissue connecting the heel bone to the toes. This results in sharp heel pain, especially in the morning or after prolonged rest periods.

Achilles Tendinitis: The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. It can become inflamed and painful due to overuse, sudden increases in training intensity, improper footwear, or biomechanical imbalances. For runners, this can cause stiffness, tenderness, or aching in the back of the heel.

Shin Splints:  Shin splints are typically caused by overuse, repetitive stress, or wearing ill-fitting shoes. Runners who rapidly increase their training intensity or have improper running form often experience this type of pain. The discomfort can be felt on the inner or outer side of the shin and may vary from a dull ache to sharp pain.

Stress Fractures: Stress fractures are small bone cracks caused by repetitive stress. Runners are at risk, especially those with low bone density or improper running form. The metatarsal bones in the feet are most susceptible, causing localised pain and swelling.

Neuromas: Runners should be aware of neuromas, benign growths of nerve tissue found between the third and fourth toes. Tight or narrow shoes can cause a pinched nerve and sharp, burning pain in the foot. Addressing this issue is essential to prevent worsening pain while running.

Focusing on prevention and proper management techniques is crucial to minimising foot-related problems and injuries in runners.

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If you are dealing with persistent or worsening foot pain, it's essential to seek advice. Ignoring these issues can exacerbate the pain, prolong recovery time, and potentially lead to long-term damage, impacting your running performance and overall quality of life.

 If you are dealing with persistent foot pain, seek advice to avoid long-term damage.

Book an appointment with Bucks Podiatry to get back to running without pain.