Injuries That Can Impact Female Runners

After months and months of training, the last thing any runner wants is to get injured ahead of a big race.

But it happens.

There are several types of common injuries for women runners, and most are in the lower extremities. About half are in the knees, and most are "overuse injuries," which are very preventable, according to John-Paul Rue, M.D., a Fellowship-trained board certified orthopedic sports medicine surgeon, specializing in arthroscopic repair of sports-related injuries.

"Patella femoral pain syndrome is an irritation of the lining of the kneecap. We actually call it 'runner's knee.' Another one is called the IT band syndrome, where there's a band of tendon that runs past the knee and can get irritated, particularly if someone runs hills," Dr. Rue said.

Some other common injuries are stress fractures and shin splints, as well as plantar fasciitis.

Dr. Rue added that it is important to check with your doctor before you start a training program, ensure you have the right running shoes and do some pre-exercise stretching and warming up before you get going.

View Mercy orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist Dr. John-Paul Rue's interview about runners' injuries.