27/11/2024
Case Reflection
A 57-year-old marathon runner came to me after being referred by a colleague. One week ago, she experienced lower back pain but did not address it. She then participated in a 32km marathon, during which she developed severe pain in the front of her thigh. After finishing the race, she had difficulty lifting her left leg, resulting in a limping gait.
In my opinion, her lower back pain and excessive tension in the back muscles caused anterior pelvic tilt, leading to an imbalance in her thigh muscles. The prolonged strain during the marathon likely caused an injury. The challenging course and hot weather pushed her to her limits, increasing the risk of rhabdomyolysis. Fortunately, she had no issues with her urine, so I focused on treating a quadriceps strain and addressing her overall back tightness.
I performed treatment and included eccentric exercises for her quadriceps during the 70-minute session. By the end, she could walk out of my clinic with a normal gait. I advised her to stop running for one month and focus on other types of training. However, she smiled without saying anything—I knew she would likely continue running. I asked her to at least stop for one week and return for a follow-up.
Running is not just a sport—it’s a source of confidence and freedom, even in the face of setbacks.
