Overuse Injuries

The following questions and statements may indicate the potential for or presence of an overuse injury (ie tendinitis, bursitis, IT band syndrome) or activity related injury.

1. Previous Injury to the lower extremity joints including hip, knee, ankle, or low back and pelvis?

2. Recent increase/change in exercise duration, frequency of days/week, terrain (track, pavement, grass), or sporting event?

3. Have you performed the same exercise program or training program for over 6-8 weeks?

4. Inability or decrease in a sport type movement to one side vs. another? For example, a player can defend Left, not Right; longer stride on one side; stronger pedal stroke on one side; or decrease in vertical jump from side to side?

5. Point tenderness over the muscle belly, tendon, ligaments, or bone? Note: Point tenderness over a bone with inability to bear weight must be followed up with a physician to rule out fracture.

6. Swelling or heat within a joint not resolved 1-2 hours after exercise or when compared to the other working joints of the body.

7. Pain in the leg or arm that increases or decreases in severity with exercise?

8. Inability to balance on one leg for the same duration from Right to Left?

9. Tightness or strength differences for the same muscle group from Right to Left?

10. Repeated hamstring or groin pulls or repeated incidents of the same problem without complete recovery? (ie treating the symptoms not the cause)

11. Inability to perform a single leg squat without the knee traveling in toward the center.