Wear orthotics: avoid shin splints

Shin splints is a painful condition characterized by inflammation of the tendons, muscles and bone tissue around your shinbone.

It may occur for any numbers of reasons, too. Often emanating from the soleus muscle, shin splints are extremely sensitive to the touch. According to a report by the Center for Enhanced Podiatric Function, foot orthotics may relieve pain and even prove a viable option to surgery.

Medial stress syndrome

Shin splints describe pain on the inner border of the tibia where muscles attach to bone. You may experience sharp, razor-like pain and throbbing as a result of repetitive physical activity such as running or dancing. Foot problems can also cause shin splints, however. If you have flat feet, rigid arches or use inadequate footwear, such conditions can cause stress and inflammation in the lower leg making you susceptible.

Pronation

It’s because of evolution your feet move the way they do when you walk or run. Pronation is just the name experts give to essentially describe this process during motion; neutral pronation, supination and overpronation are the three basic categories. Shin splints may result when normal pronation goes wrong. Foot orthotics correct pronation problems and relieve pain.

Orthotics help

If a patient is prone to shin splints, you may want recommend orthotics to prevent future re-occurrence in certain situations. Orthotics are custom-fitted inserts for footwear. Depending on the condition, precise measurements of the foot, leg, and gait may be needed. Orthotics are made from a variety of materials such as plastic and leather and function biomechanically with the foot.

It would be a good idea to try orthotics if the patient has problems with foot pronation; misalignment of the foot and leg; a very high arch in the foot; or a stress fracture of the tibia due to repetitive motion. Patients should also wear supportive shoes with good cushioning moving forward if they deny orthotics.

Other than orthotics

To relieve pain, the patient can rest the leg and foot, icing the painful area. They can wear an elastic compression bandage, and stretch the lower leg muscles. However, biomechanical issues could be an indicator of more severe illness. If patients experience long-term pain from shin splints, another treatment plan may be required.