Running Injuries That Can Be Treated At Urgent Care

Whether you’re training for a marathon or running for your workout routine, it’s important to know what your options are for treatment in case you get hurt. If you do end up getting injured, the team at Quick’rCare can help you today. We are going to talk about five different types of running injuries you could attain while running that can be promptly treated at an urgent care near you.

Ankle Sprain

Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries for individuals that run. It happens when the foot rolls or twists while you’re in mid-run resulting in a sprain. The pain comes from the ligament tearing in the ankle area, but can be avoided by stretching before you start your run. Also, the higher your arches are the more prone you will be to ankle sprains. When you go to an urgent care they can take X-rays to make sure it is a sprain and advise you the treatment you’ll need to follow such as making sure your leg stays elevated and using ice packs,

Patellar Tendonitis

Patellar tendonitis occurs for many distance runners because of tears from overuse of the patellar tendon. That is what connects the shinbone to the kneecap, therefore, pain for this injury can be anywhere from mild to severe. We recommend you see a doctor right away and if your regular physician isn’t available then go to the nearest urgent care for treatment. Once there, you can expect to receive X-rays, ultrasound, or an MRI to diagnose the injury and finalize what treatment should be.

Shin Splints

If you’ve changed up your running routine too quickly you may be subject to getting shin splints. These occur in the front or inside of the lower leg along the tibia (shin bone). If you have flat feet you are more prone to developing this type of running injury. So take your time and build up to running more often or increasing your running time and distance. It’s well worth the wait. If you do get ahead of yourself and sustain an injury you can go to an urgent care to seek treatment if resting doesn’t help.

Heel Spurs

Heel spurs also known as patellar tendonitis is most common for distance runners. The patellar tendon connects the shinbone and the kneecap and when overused will tear. The pain can be anywhere from moderate to severe and needs treatment right away. If you decide to not seek treatment from a facility like an urgent care you could experience limited mobility in your daily life including your runs. When you get to the urgent care they will assess the injury through X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound before developing a treatment plan.

Achilles Tendonitis

Did you know that there are over 200,000 cases of Achilles tendonitis diagnosed every year? This running injury happens because of repeated stress to the tendon. That causes inflammation of the Achilles tendon and pain and stiffness in that spot especially when doing activities. Stress to the tendon can look like increasing your running distance too fast and tight calf muscles can contribute as well. You don’t necessarily have to go to an urgent care to treat this injury, but if the problem worsens you’ll want to get checked out to start short term treatment. Left unattended, the injury can develop into a serious problem requiring surgery.

How do I know I’m Injured?

Anyone can become injured from running whether they are just starting our or a seasoned long distance runner. About 65 million Americans go on a jog or run every year and 7 million of those individuals withstand an injury. Ways to tell if you’re injured are:

• Pain
• Tenderness
• Bruising
• Inability to put weight on the area
• Swelling
• Skin discoloration
• Popping sensation

Every injury is different and has different clues. These are some of the most common signs to look out for to know if you should get checked out by a doctor and take a break from working out until you heal properly. Always talk to your doctor if you have questions.

Knowing what your limits are when you run and making sure you’re doing all the necessary stretching before and after running will help protect your body from these running injuries. Also, building up endurance and strength before changing your routine will help avoid injuries while running. If you do get injured during your run, book an appointment online at Quickrcare.com to be seen by one of our knowledgeable doctors today. We want to make sure you are getting the treatment you need to heal as soon as possible. The team at Quick’rCare are always here to help take care of your running injuries no matter how big or small.