Lower Leg Pain While Running

Lower leg pain can become an issue for a runner, not only causing discomfort but forcing the runner to take time off. Lower leg pain can often be prevented by proper strengthening of the calf and shin muscles, as well as stretching of the muscles and ligaments associated with the lower leg.

Shin Splints

• Shin splints are a common injury for runners who increase their mileage quickly or run on hard surfaces. This pain occurs on the shin where the muscle connects to the bone.

Stress Fractures

• Stress fractures are small cracks in the bones and can be a cause of lower leg pain while running.

Achilles Tendinitis

• Achilles tendinitis occurs when the Achilles tendon, which runs from your heel to the lower part of your calf, becomes inflamed.

Worn Shoes

• Worn out shoes are often the culprit for lower leg pain. Running shoes should never have more than 400 or 500 miles on them.

Prevention/Solution

• Rest, icing, stretching and ibuprofen will help remedy nearly any lower leg pain a runner may have.