Prof. Dr. Martin Engelhardt

Running is the most common recreational sport in Germany. The number of runners is said to be in the range of 10-17 million. The running technique, axis malpositions, unsuitable footwear and fatigue or pathological muscle changes can lead to damage due to excessive strain. Acute injuries are rare in the sport of running. On the other hand, consequences of improper strain are common, affecting the lower limbs in more than 80% of cases. Participants work through the leading problems experienced by runners (runner’s knee, Achilles tendon and heel pain, stress fractures and problems with the first metatarsophalangeal joint) using practical examples and on the patient.

Epidemiology data tell us that about 40% of the positive impact of sports is negated by accidents and damage due to excessive strain. Avoiding injuries and damage due to excessive strain is therefore a key objective in sports. An unstable joint increases the risk of subsequent injuries and frequently leads to long-term, severe joint damage. Participants learn how joint instability can be prevented using orthopaedic technology measures and how to appropriately identify and treat injuries that lead to instability.