Some Common Injuries and Symptoms

Patellofemoral Syndrome
Pain under or around the kneecap, sometimes a grating or clicking may be felt, particularly when squatting, walking up or down stairs or hill running. Poor lower limb mechanics lead to 'maltracking' of the kneecap which causes wear and tear and pain.

Plantar Fasciitis
A common injury in marathon runners, golfers and hikers. Sharp pain and tenderness under or just in front of the heel bone and sometimes along the inner arch. Worse first thing in the morning and after rest. Improves with moderate activity and becomes worse with prolonged weightbearing activity. Can be due to overpronation ("rolling in") or a highly arched foot that is too rigid. 

Achilles Tendonitis
Pain and sometimes swelling around the tendon at the lower part of the calf above the back of the heel bone. Sore if the tendon is squeezed or stretched. Sometimes a lump can be felt. Usually due to muscular inflexibility and poor foot mechanics or wearing incorrect sports footwear.

Shin Splints/ Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome
Pain, tenderness and redness either along the front or along the inside edge of the shin bone. A common condition in treadmill runners, skiiers and cricket fast bowlers. Gets worse with continued activity.

Low-back pain
Aching in the lower back or back of the pelvis, often one sided. Weakness or misalignment in one or both of the lower limbs causes poor posture and excessive strain on the back.

Bunions
Bony enlargement of the big toe joint, sometimes may be red and swollen. Usually they are a symptom of poor foot mechanics (excessive pronation).

Metatarsalgia
A broad term for pain around the ball of the foot. Pain may also radiate into the toes and can feel like an electric shock. Can be due to excessive stress in this area or nerve compression.

Lateral ankle sprain
Sprain of the ligaments on the outside of the ankle joint. Swelling and tender to touch. Can be painful to weightbear. Occurs with poor lower leg muscle function and weakness of Proprioception ("position sense") . Common in jumping sports and running on uneven ground.