Why Fallen Arches Can Cause Shin Splints

Filed in Diseases, Conditions and Treatments on Aug.04, 2009

Sports Can Cause Serious Foot Problems Including Shin Pain

If you love to run or participating in team sports, you’re at risk for shin splints, painful knees, Achilles tendonitis, and other lower body injuries. Medial tibial stress syndrome, as it is called by the Mayo Clinic, is a pain that runs down the length of the shin bone and is caused by too much stress on the bones, muscles, and ligaments of the lower part of the leg. This stress can be caused by by running activities in any setting and can be aggravated by flat feet and insufficient arch support.

Many leading sports therapists recommend using ice, temporarily ceasing running or sports, and using more comfortable shoes, preferably in conjunction with sports insoles. Icing the shin and adjacent structures of the lower leg help alleviate pain while decreasing the amount of inflammation promptly after an injury. Relaxation is always suggested because it allows for the repair of tendons, muscles, and bones. Finally, wearing more comfortable shoes can drastically help prevent re-injury to the lower legs and feet by providing better cushioning and support for the arches. This encourages proper foot location and takes in shock. Sports orthotics can significantly enhance endurance and performance because they provide foot arch support and additional cushioning. For people with flat feet, these special sports insoles raise the arch ideally and rebalance the legs.

Over-pronation due to flat feet can cause more than just shin pain to occur. Plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, ankle, knee, and lower back pain, as well as Achilles tendonitis can be attributed to flat feet. If sports insoles are not worn during strenuous sports activities, re-injury and serious foot issues can occur. The mechanics involved in these injuries are connected to the plantar fascia tendon, which is the main structure involved in the foot arch. It is an elastic structure that lengthens to absorb the shock produced when the foot bears weight during activity. In people with flat feet, this tissue has been over-stretched and has lost its ability to elongate. Its capacity to absorb shock has left completely. This situation also causes over-pronation 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 abnormally concentrated on one region rather than being uniformly distributed over the entire area of the foot. This is how sport insoles can be of utmost importance in cases of flat feet and other foot ailments; they provide support and cushion in all the right areas.