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.
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.
Over-pronation can lead to multiple types of foot problems such as plantar fasciitis,
and can have several different causes. Obesity, pregnancy, age or
repetitive pounding on a hard surface can weaken the foot arches,
leading to over-pronation. Over-pronation is also very common with
athletes, especially runners, most of whom nowadays wear orthotics inside their shoes.
