Case Study: Getting Back on Track After a Running Injury

Patient Background

Sarah, a 34-year-old marketing manager, came to our clinic in March after dealing with persistent knee pain for about two months. She'd been training for her first half-marathon when the pain started during a longer weekend run. What began as a minor ache gradually worsened until she couldn't even walk up stairs without wincing.

Like many of our patients, Sarah initially tried to push through the pain. She took a few days off running, iced her knee religiously, and hoped it would sort itself out. When the pain persisted, she visited her GP who suggested rest and anti-inflammatories. After six weeks with no improvement, Sarah decided she needed professional help.

Initial Assessment

When Sarah first walked into our clinic, I could see she was frustrated. She'd gone from running 30+ kilometers per week to struggling with daily activities. During our assessment, several issues became clear:

Her left knee showed signs of patellofemoral pain syndrome - essentially, her kneecap wasn't tracking properly as she moved. The pain was worst when going downstairs or after sitting for long periods. We also discovered significant weakness in her hip muscles, particularly the glutes, which wasn't surprising given her desk job.

What really stood out was how her running technique had changed over the months leading up to her injury. Sarah mentioned she'd recently switched to a more "minimalist" running style after reading about it online, but hadn't gradually adapted her body to this change.