FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Claudette Yasell, +1-847-384-4035
yasell@aaos.org
Mindy Weinstein, +1-847-384-4034
weinstein@aaos.org
Todd Schuetz, +1-847-384-4032
schuetz@aaos.org
Running Survey Reports Nearly 1/3 of Injured Runners Did Not Seek
Medical Attention for Their Most Severe Injury
ROSEMONT, Ill., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- In a recent online survey conducted
by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, almost one third of
injured runners who answered the survey did not seek medical attention for
their most serious injury. Injuries reported on the survey ranged from
stress fractures to tendinitis to plantar fasciitis.
"The most common injuries we see have to do with the knee and the
repetitive loading particularly of the kneecaps. You don't realize it but
the kneecaps absorb a tremendous amount of impact every time we land and
probably the most impact of any one particular joint of the body," said
Sherwin Ho, MD, orthopaedic surgeon and associate professor of surgery and
sports medicine specialist at the University of Chicago.
Of the 853 respondents to the online survey, 76% indicated that they had
been injured while running. A surprising result of the survey was that 30%
of those injured did not seek medical attention for their most serious
injury. The most serious injury reported by runners was tendinitis, at 22%,
and the knee was most commonly injured at 28%. The number of running
injuries sustained corresponded with the number of years respondents had
participated in a running program and increased as years of participation
increased.
"A very helpful thing in preventing running injuries," according to Dr. Ho,
"is strengthening those muscles that are key to running: the quadriceps,
the hamstrings and the calf muscles." Orthopaedic surgeons also suggest
strengthening core trunk muscles to reduce risk of injury. If you sustain a
running related injury, consult your orthopaedic surgeon early to get you
back on track and to show you how to prevent the injury from recurring.
Injured runners should allow adequate time to regain their strength and
range of movement before recommencing running.
In 2001, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more
than 174,628 running-related injuries were treated in hospitals, doctor's
offices, clinics, ambulatory surgery centers and emergency rooms. Overuse
injuries are a common type of injury associated with running. Many of these
injuries result from inadequate warm-ups, incorrect running style, improper
athletic footwear and poor environmental conditions.
The running survey asked participants questions ranging from demographics,
to specific training habits such as running frequency and distance, to
questions about their most serious injuries and who treated them. The
survey found the overwhelming reason why people run is to stay in shape or
to maintain weight (34%). Runners ran most frequently 4 days per week (24%)
and ran between 1 and 5 miles (38%); 34% of respondents ran 5-10 miles per
run.
Internet users can find information about the 2003 AAOS Running Survey
results at www.aaos.org/news . Physician reviewed information and important
injury prevention techniques for running and other topics can be found on
the Academy's web site www.orthoinfo.org .
The Academy offers runners these tips for staying injury free this marathon
season:
-- Always take time to warm up and stretch before running, and cool down
and stretch again after a running session.
-- Select a running shoe that offers good shock absorption and
construction, and one that provides stability and cushions the foot.
-- Whenever possible, run on a clear, smooth, resilient, even and
reasonably soft surface. Avoid running on hills, which increases
stress on the ankle and foot. When running on a track, the goal is to
reverse direction periodically, so that you have even pressure on both
feet during the run.
-- Avoid running in extreme conditions.
-- Build up your distance gradually. Use the 10 percent rule; increase
your distance about 10 percent per week as you start your program. If
you start to develop pain, back off.
-- Avoid dehydration. Drink fluids every 20 to 30 minutes while running.
You may need more fluids on particularly hot or humid days.
An orthopaedic surgeon is a physician with extensive training in the
diagnosis and non-surgical as well as surgical treatment of the
musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, ligaments, tendons,
muscles and nerves.
The 26,047-member American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ( www.aaos.org )
or ( http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/ ), is a not-for-profit organization that
provides education programs for orthopaedic surgeons, allied health
professionals and the public. An advocate for improved patient care, the
Academy is participating in the Bone and Joint Decade ( www.usbjd.org ),
the global initiative in the years 2002-2011 to raise awareness of
musculoskeletal health, stimulate research and improve people's quality of
life. President Bush has declared the years 2002-2011 National Bone and
Joint Decade in support of these objectives.
As with all web-based surveys, the responses have not been validated and
solely reflect the opinions of the participants
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