. This presents itself as cramp-like sensations which can stop you dead in your tracks. This is more difficult to treat conservatively, and although stretching and exercise can help, surgery is sometimes required. — Martin Haines, sports medicine consultant

appropriate running shoes by visiting a specialist retailer. You could also try shoe inserts, best recommended by a podiatrist or physiotherapist. There are some good non-prescription orthoses available – try calling Medisport for advice on AOL orthotics (0161

, then perhaps you should consider this if you want to have a chance of a long-term, uninterrupted running career.—Martin Haines, chartered physiotherapist and sports injury specialist

pain or not. If these suggestions do not have any lasting effect, it may be worth finding a sports therapist who specialises in the treatment of backs, and who has an understanding of adverse neural tension. —Martin Haines, chartered physiotherapist

. —Martin Haines, chartered physiotherapist and sports injury specialist

) may aggravate your injury. Once these have been done, you can start thinking about exercises like leg presses (to strengthen your knee) and seated hip abductor and adductor exercises as a precursor to returning to running.—Martin Haines, chartered