Overuse Injuries

An overuse injury is produced by a repeated action causing a repetitive trauma over a period of time. They are common among sportspeople and can often occur in children and adolescents. There can be multiple factors causing injury and a thorough diagnosis with a treatment plan may help speed recovery and lessen the recurrence of overuse injuries.

Rachel Miller is a highly experienced podiatrist who treats many patients with overuse injuries. Please see below if you want more detailed explanation of overuse injuries, their symptoms, causes and treatment.

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Overuse Injuries

Runners, especially distance runners, tennis players and other high impact athletes are at risk of metatarsalgia and many other overuse conditions primarily because the front of the foot absorbs significant force when a person runs or jumps.  See the Metatarsalgia page for more information.

Some overuse injuries are more common in children especially during the period of rapid pubescent growth when they can be taking part in intense sports activities.  See the Children’s foot care page for more information.

Injuries can occur in:

  • bones
  • tendons
  • muscles
  • cartilage
  • bursas
  • nerves

Symptoms of overuse injuries

Symptoms can include:

  • pain can begin gradually
  • aching pain
  • stiffness, often in the morning
  • a “pinpoint pain” at the site of the injury
  • swelling
  • heat
  • redness
  • reduced function
  • pain that does not go away

Heel pain is a common overuse injury symptom. With young sportspeople new bone forms in an area behind the heel, known as the growth plate, and cartilage is vulnerable to severe inflammation from strain or stress.  Intense training or activity can also cause the injuries which lead to inflammation in the metatarsal heads, the ball of the foot and nearby joints. 

Causes of overuse injuries

Exercising or engaging in a physical activity intensely with repetitive actions can mean that tissue breaks down faster than it can rebuild and overuse injuries can occur.

An overuse injuries can happen at any age and you can overuse your muscles, bones, joints, ligaments and tendons when you participate in many sports.  You can also suffer from an overuse injuries from repeated activities such as gardening or jobs that involve repeated actions such as typing.

Risk factors for overuse injuries include:

  • previous injury
  • muscle imbalance
  • biomechanical problems
  • technical errors and training errors such as increasing an exercise regime or its intensity too rapidly
  • changing training routines, shoes, surfaces that you are training or competing on
  • training on hard surfaces
  • poor footwear
  • age; adolescents and older people

Your foot structure can be a predisposing factor to your susceptibility to injury. You may overpronate, where your foot rolls in during gait or you may supinate, where your foot rolls out during gait both of which can put excess forces and stress the foot and ankle that may lead to injury. Athletes with high arches should pay extra attention to their lower limbs as pes cavus is not the most efficient foot structure for absorbing shock and feet with a raised midfoot may be more prone to injuries.

Treatment of overuse injuries

Early diagnosis and treatment of your injury from an experienced podiatrist can help you to rehabilitate quicker.

Treatment may depend on:

  • the type and severity of your condition
  • your age
  • your overall health and medical history

Initial treatment for overuse injuries includes P.R.I.C.E – Protect; Rest; Ice; Compression; Elevation

Prevention can include:

  • stretching and strengthening exercises
  • medication
  • varying an exercise regime
  • modifying the intensity, duration and frequency of an activity
  • gradually increasing the intensity of your activity
  • expert training advice
  • footwear advice; incorrect footwear can aggravate the condition
  • an orthotic insole

If you have suffered from an injury you should see an experienced podiatrist who can diagnose your condition and give treatment. You can be offered footwear advice, self-help advice, exercise and stretching regimes and you might benefit from a specialist biomechanical assessment. A bespoke orthotic insole can be prescribed as part of your treatment plan which may help support and cushion the foot to reduce pain on impact when walking and running.

 Call the Clinic for an appointment 

Rachel Miller is a highly experienced podiatrist specialising in biomechanics and orthotic insoles who sees many patients with overuse injuries. Her clinic, Highgate Podiatry, is in Highgate Village, 14 Pond Square, N6 6BA, London.  Clinics are held every Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday. Please contact the clinic for an appointment on 020 8348 5553. For the clinic’s address, map and directions see the Contact page and for information about orthotic insoles and biomechanics see the Biomechanics page..

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