Running with a Limp

Right now I am training for my cross country season. I had to take a couple of weeks off due to an ankle pain and swelling on my left foot. As of right now I am slowly beginning to run again taking it day by day.





When I run I notice I tend to favor one leg over the other, my right leg. During last year track season I got injured, a calf strain on my left leg. I took a good amount of time off. It wasn't fully 100 percent yet but ran my season and I notice when I ran I tended to favor my right. It eventually healed at the end of the season.

I don't know what I am doing wrong it's effecting the way I run this year. I had high goals for myself but they seem so distant.

Thank you for your time.


Answer by Dominique:


Hi there,
Thanks for your question about your running injuries and running with a limp.

From what I am hearing is that you are running despite injuries. It's not too strange that you are favoring your right leg when there is pain in the left leg.

I would not run for a while and let the injuries settle. I know that is not what you want to hear. Try to stay fit by doing cross-training. After you are pain free I would not expect you to have that limp anymore. That is, if the limp is simply a product of running with injuries.

If it is not and if this is how you have always been running, then you need to consider what the other possibilities are. Could it be that your legs are not of equal length? This can affect your gait and cause your limping. Sometimes orthotics in one of the shoes can help adjust that.

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A sports physician would be able to diagnose your limp properly and advise you on the right way forward.

Best of luck with this and don't despair. The season is long. Even if you can't run for a few weeks, you can stay fit doing other things.

Kind regards,
Dominique