Belfast has a thriving running community — from Victoria Park parkrun and Ormeau Park to the Belfast City Marathon. But with that comes a high rate of running-related injuries. At the Lower Limb Clinic, we see runners every single day.
The 5 Most Common Running Injuries We Treat
1. Plantar Fasciitis
That sharp pain under your heel that's worst first thing in the morning. In runners, it's typically caused by a combination of overtraining, poor running mechanics, and inadequate footwear. We treat this with a combination of shockwave therapy, custom orthotics, and structured rehabilitation.
2. Achilles Tendinopathy
Pain and stiffness in the Achilles tendon, usually worse during or after a run. This is an overuse injury that responds brilliantly to shockwave therapy and a progressive loading programme. The key is catching it early — don't run through Achilles pain.
3. Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome)
Pain along the inside of the shin, common in newer runners or those who've ramped up mileage too quickly. Left untreated, shin splints can progress to stress fractures. A gait analysis and footwear review can identify the cause.
4. Runner's Knee (Patellofemoral Pain)
Pain around or behind the kneecap, usually worse running downhill or sitting for long periods. Often caused by poor hip and glute control, which we identify through our biomechanical assessment.
5. Stress Fractures
A serious overuse injury causing localised bone pain, usually in the metatarsals, tibia, or calcaneus. If your pain is getting worse with every run and doesn't improve with rest, you need imaging urgently.
Why Runners Get Injured
The most common causes we see in Belfast runners:
- Training errors: Too much, too soon (the "terrible toos")
- Poor running mechanics: Overstriding, cadence issues, hip drop
- Inadequate footwear: Wrong shoes for your foot type and running style
- Muscle weakness: Especially glutes, hip stabilisers, and calves
- Running surfaces: Hard pavements increase impact loading
Our Approach to Treating Runners
At the Lower Limb Clinic, we understand that runners want to keep running. Our goal isn't to tell you to stop — it's to get you back to training safely and stronger. Every runner gets:
- Video gait analysis
- Biomechanical assessment
- Diagnostic ultrasound (if needed)
- Footwear advice specific to your foot type
- Return-to-running programme
Preparing for the Belfast Marathon?
If you're training for the Belfast Marathon, Deep RiverRock Half Marathon, or any local race, don't wait until you're injured. A pre-race biomechanical screening can identify potential issues before they become injuries. Book your running assessment today.
