Common Lower Limb Sporting Injuries: Why Early Assessment Matters

Whether you're a weekend warrior, a school athlete, or a professional sportsperson, injuries to the lower limb are common—and can be seriously disruptive if not managed well. The lower limb includes complex joints and muscles of the hip, knee, ankle, and foot, all of which are critical for movement, balance, and shock absorption.

At Eureka Health, we frequently assess and treat patients with lower limb injuries. In this blog, we break down why these injuries occur, which types are most common, and how early intervention by an osteopath or physiotherapist can support recovery and reduce long-term complications.

Why Lower Limb Injuries Occur in Sport

Lower limb injuries are typically caused by a combination of factors, including:

• Overuse: Repetitive stress without adequate recovery (e.g. running, jumping, pivoting).

• Biomechanical imbalances: Muscle imbalances, poor joint mechanics or altered movement patterns.

• Poor training load management: Sudden increases in intensity, volume, or frequency of exercise.

• Insufficient warm-up or conditioning.

• External trauma: Direct blows or twisting injuries during contact sports.

Adolescents, older adults returning to sport, and those with previous injuries are particularly at risk. Evidence shows that previous injury is one of the strongest predictors of future injury (Toohey et al., 2019).

Common Types of Lower Limb Sporting Injuries

Here are some of the most frequent conditions we see and treat:

1. Ankle Sprains

Often caused by rolling the ankle (called an inversion injury), ankle sprains damage the ligaments—particularly the anterior talofibular ligament. Key features are a clear history of injury, pain, swelling and often bruising. They can range in intensity and the associated damage from a minor sprain to a major one.

🧠 Up to 70% of people with ankle sprains may develop chronic ankle instability without proper rehab (Gribble et al., 2016).

2. ACL and Knee Ligament Injuries

These are high-impact injuries, commonly seen in sports involving sudden deceleration or changes in direction (e.g. AFL, soccer, netball, skiing). Many of these injuries can be well managed with appropriate assessment, treatment, advice and rehab.

📚 ACL injuries can have a long-term impact on knee health, with a high risk of early osteoarthritis (Ajuied et al., 2014).

3. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS)

Also known as "runner’s knee," PFPS presents as pain around the kneecap and is often due to poor biomechanics or overuse.

📖 PFPS accounts for up to 25% of all knee injuries in sports medicine clinics (Crossley et al., 2016).

4. Hamstring Strains

Common in sprinting sports and caused by a strain and tearing of the muscle or tendon fibres. They are notorious for recurring if not properly managed.

⚠️ Recurrence rates may be as high as 30% within the first year (Schache et al., 2009).

5. Achilles Tendinopathy

Caused by repetitive strain and microtrauma, this condition presents with pain and stiffness in the Achilles tendon—especially in runners and jumpers. These occur most frequently in an older population, often when returning to sport or exercise after an period of absence.

🔍 It is strongly linked to load mismanagement and calf weakness (Magnusson et al., 2010).

6. Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome)

Characterised by diffuse pain along the inner edge of the tibia, this overuse injury is common in runners, dancers and in jumping sports.

📊 Females, beginners, and those with flat feet are at increased risk (Newman et al., 2013).

Why You Shouldn’t Delay Assessment

✅ Accurate Diagnosis

Many lower limb injuries present with similar symptoms, but require different management. Our osteopaths and physiotherapists are trained to assess these injuries care refer for imaging if needed.

✅ Prevent Chronic Issues

Ignoring a seemingly “minor” sprain or strain can lead to compensatory movement patterns, chronic pain, or re-injury. Early rehab restores strength, control, and joint function.

✅ Evidence-Based Treatment

Clinicians use a range of proven treatments:

• Manual therapy to improve joint mobility, decrease muscle spasm and provide positive input to your brain about the area of injury

• Exercise rehabilitation to restore strength and control

• Taping or bracing for support

• Education on load management, footwear, and biomechanics

🗣 “The earlier we start targeted rehabilitation, the better the outcomes and the lower the risk of recurrence.”

How Eureka Health Can Help

Our osteopaths and physiotherapists at Eureka Health are trained in the latest evidence-based approaches to injury management. We don’t just treat the injury—we look at the whole person, identifying the underlying factors that may have contributed to the issue in the first place. Your initial consult will always include a review of your medical history, previous injuries and goals for recovery. Your rehab will be tailored to your personal goals and chosen sport.

If you’ve had a recent injury, are dealing with persistent niggles, or want to return to sport safely, don’t wait. Book an appointment and get back on track—stronger and smarter.

📚 References

• Ajuied, A. et al. (2014). The long-term consequences of ACL reconstruction: A systematic review. Am J Sports Med.

• Crossley, K. et al. (2016). Patellofemoral pain. BMJ.

• Gribble, P. A. et al. (2016). Management of ankle sprains. J Athl Train.

• Magnusson, S. P. et al. (2010). The pathogenesis of tendinopathy: Balancing the response to loading. Nat Rev Rheumatol.

• Newman, P. et al. (2013). Risk factors associated with medial tibial stress syndrome in runners: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med.

• Schache, A. et al. (2009). Hamstring muscle function and injury during running. Sports Med.

• Toohey, L. A. et al. (2019). Injury risk factors in sport: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Med.