Running is one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to stay fit, but anyone who runs regularly knows it comes with the occasional ache, niggle or setback. Most are minor and settle on their own. Sometimes, though, a problem lingers or worsens, and it becomes hard to know whether to run through it, rest, or seek help.
Understanding the common running injuries, and knowing when a scan is genuinely worthwhile, can save you weeks of uncertainty and help you get back to running sooner. This guide walks through the injuries runners see most often, the warning signs worth taking seriously, and how imaging at Momentm Health in Cambridge can help when it's needed.
Common running injuries
Running places repetitive load on the legs and feet, and most running injuries are the result of overuse rather than a single dramatic moment. The most common include:
- Runner's knee, pain around or behind the kneecap, often felt on running downhill or after sitting for a while.
- Shin splints, pain along the shin bone, which in some cases can be an early sign of a stress fracture.
- Stress fractures, tiny cracks in a bone caused by repetitive impact, most often in the shin or foot.
- Achilles tendon problems, pain and stiffness at the back of the ankle, common in runners increasing their distance or intensity.
- Iliotibial (IT) band syndrome, pain on the outer side of the knee from the band of tissue that runs down the thigh.
- Plantar fasciitis, heel pain that's often worst with the first steps of the day.
Many of these respond well to rest, a sensible adjustment in training, and rehabilitation. The challenge is knowing which ones need more than that.
Self-management versus warning signs
For a lot of running niggles, the first response is straightforward: ease back on training, allow time to recover, and gradually build back up. Relative rest, sensible footwear and targeted strengthening resolve many problems without any need for imaging.
There are, however, signs that suggest it's worth getting properly assessed rather than pushing on:
- pain that persists despite a reasonable period of rest and reduced training
- pain that's getting worse rather than better
- swelling, or a joint that feels unstable or locks
- a specific, pinpoint pain over a bone, which can suggest a stress fracture
- pain that comes on earlier and earlier into each run
If any of these sound familiar, it's a good moment to seek advice rather than to keep running through it. Continuing to train on some injuries, stress fractures in particular, can turn a few weeks of recovery into a much longer setback.
When does imaging help, and which scan?
When a running injury needs investigating, imaging can confirm what's going on and guide the right treatment. The type of scan depends on the problem.
MRI is excellent for soft tissue and bone. It can reveal stress fractures that don't show on an X-ray, as well as tendon, cartilage and ligament problems. For something like persistent shin pain where a stress fracture is suspected, MRI is particularly valuable.
Ultrasound is well suited to looking at tendons and other soft tissues, and has the advantage of imaging in real time, so structures can be assessed as they move. For some tendon problems, this dynamic view is genuinely useful.
Which is most appropriate depends on the injury and your symptoms, and this is something a clinician can advise on. The goal is always to choose the imaging that will answer the question most clearly.
The value of expert assessment
A scan is most useful when it's interpreted by someone who understands sports injuries and can relate the findings to your running. At Momentm Health, imaging is overseen by consultants with real expertise in musculoskeletal and sports medicine, so the report you receive is clear, relevant and something you can act on.
That expertise helps answer the questions runners actually care about: what's wrong, how serious it is, and what it means for getting back to running safely.
Reducing the risk of running injuries
While not every injury is avoidable, a few sensible habits make them less likely. Increasing your distance or pace gradually, rather than in big jumps, gives your body time to adapt and is one of the most effective ways to avoid overuse injuries. Building in rest days, strengthening the muscles that support your knees and hips, warming up properly and running in suitable footwear all help too.
Listening to your body matters as much as any of these. A niggle that you address early, with a little rest or a tweak to your training, is far less likely to become the kind of injury that keeps you sidelined for months.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stop running if I have an injury? It depends on the injury. Some niggles improve with relative rest and a reduction in training rather than stopping altogether, while others, such as a suspected stress fracture, need you to stop and be assessed. If pain is worsening or persisting, it's best to seek advice rather than push through.
How do I know if it's a stress fracture? Stress fractures often cause a specific, pinpoint pain over a bone that worsens with impact and eases with rest. They don't always show on an X-ray in the early stages, but MRI can detect them. If you suspect one, it's important not to keep running on it.
MRI or ultrasound for a running injury, which is better? It depends on what's being investigated. MRI is excellent for bone and a wide range of soft tissue problems, including stress fractures. Ultrasound is well suited to tendons and can show them moving in real time. A clinician can advise which is most appropriate for your injury.
Do I need a referral to get scanned? For our core MRI and ultrasound scans you can book directly with Momentm Health without a referral, though we're happy to work with one from your physiotherapist or doctor.
How soon can I be seen? Momentm Health offers fast access with no long waits, so you can usually be scanned within days rather than weeks. [Turnaround time to be confirmed.]
Get back to running with Momentm Health in Cambridge
If a running injury is holding you back and isn't settling, you don't have to wait weeks to find out why. Momentm Health offers fast access to MRI and ultrasound in Cambridge, overseen by an expert consultant team, with no long waits.
You can book directly, or your physiotherapist or doctor can refer you. Either way, you'll get the clarity you need to recover and return to running with confidence.
Book a scan, or get in touch to find out more about imaging at Momentm Health.
Imaging forms one part of assessing a running injury. The most appropriate scan and next steps are determined alongside a clinical assessment.
