[Overuse syndrome of the soft tissues of the lower extremity]

Sports activities with high demands and stresses to the musculoskeletal system increase the risk of overuse injures. The etiologic mechanisms are multifactorial, with both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. In spite of better diagnostic equipment and conservative methods of treatment, some of these overuse injuries do not heal and a structural damage of the tissue remains. Thus, surgery is often the only way to relieve the symptoms and to restore normal function. This article provides a basic overview of the epidemiology, anatomy, biomechanical factors, stress responses and therapeutic principles regarding overuse injuries of the soft tissues.