Chronic Shin Splints Can be Treated With Sports Insoles

Sports Can Cause Serious Foot Problems Including Shin Splints

If you love to run or taking part in organized sports, you’re at risk for shin splints, pain in the knees, Achilles tendonitis, and other lower extremity injuries. Medial tibial stress syndrome, as it is referred to by the Mayo Clinic, is a pain that runs down the length of the shin bone and is caused by undue stress on the bones, muscles, and ligaments of the lower extremeties. This stress can be caused by by running activities in any setting and can be exacerbated by flat feet and insufficient arch support.

Many sports therapists advise using ice, taking a break from running or sports, and using more comfortable shoes, preferably with the use of sports orthotics. Icing the shin and adjacent structures in the lower leg help alleviate pain while lowering the amount of swelling soon after an injury. Relaxation is always suggested because it allows for the bones, tendons and muscles to repair themselves. Finally, using more comfortable shoes can drastically help deter re-injury to the lower legs and feet by providing proper cushioning and arch support. This encourages proper foot position and takes in shock. Sports orthotics can make all the difference in endurance and performance because they offer arch support as well as additional cushioning. For people with flat feet, these specialized sports orthotics lift the arch appropriately and rebalance the legs.

Overpronation due to flat feet can cause more than just shin splints to occur. Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis, knee, ankle, and low back pain, as well as Achilles tendonitis can be caused by flat feet. If sports orthotics are not utilized during physically stressful physical activities, reinjury and serious foot problems can persist. The mechanics involved in these problems are linked to the plantar fascia tendon, which is the central structure supporting the arch of the foot. It is a band-like structure that elongates to absorb the shock presented when the foot bears weight during activity. In people with flat feet, this tissue is too long and has lost its ability to elongate. Its capability to absorb shock has left completely. This condition also causes overpronation of the foot, or the tendency for the ankles to roll toward the center of the body. As a result, the weight of the bdy is oddly centered on one area rather than being equally distributed over the entire area of the foot. This is the reason why insoles for sports can make all the difference in cases of flat feet and other foot problems; they provide stability and softness in the proper spots.