Pathological mechanics are thought
to play a role in many common
running injuries. A review of the
biomechanical literature reveals that
a given running injury may be associated
with multiple faulty running
mechanics. Traditional rehabilitation
programs have focused their
efforts on addressing the injured
anatomical structure. By focusing
rehabilitation programs on correcting
the pathomechanics of an injury,
outcomes may be improved. Since
the underlying faulty mechanics have
been addressed, risk of reinjury may
also be decreased. In this article, a
pathomechanical paradigm for the
treatment of the injured runner is
introduced. Emphasis is placed on
recognizing the most common types
of faulty running mechanics often
encountered in the clinical setting
and their implications for injury.
Finally, suggested treatment
techniques are described