School · Runner's health · 45 s .
The most common injuries
Where runners get hurt, and why.
Across studies, about four in ten runners get injured in a given period. The knee is the area hurt most often, followed by the ankle and the lower leg.
The most frequent specific injuries are Achilles tendinopathy, shin pain (medial tibial stress syndrome), plantar fasciitis and ankle sprains. Runner's knee (pain around the kneecap) is also common.
Most are overuse injuries: they build up over weeks and usually improve by adjusting load. Persistent pain deserves a physiotherapist or sports doctor.
Most build up slowly: adjust the load early.
Quick check .
Which area do runners injure most?
Then the ankle and lower leg; most are overuse injuries.