Written with contributions from Superfeet Wellness Experts and the Superfeet education team.
Shin splints are a condition that sounds minor but is anything but. The pain from shin splints can impair your mobility and prevent you from pursuing activities that you enjoy. Shin splints need to be taken seriously and treated promptly.
What are Shin Splints?
Shin splints, also known as medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), are caused by injury and inflammation that provokes pain on either the inside or outside of the lower leg, or tibia. This type of pain can also be caused by a stress fracture or compartment syndrome. Those conditions require sophisticated medical tests to diagnose, but shin splints can usually be identified by the type of pain you experience. Experts note that shin splints cause a generalized pain that is often worse in the morning. If you have shin splints, flexing your foot at the ankle may be extremely painful.
Causes of Shin Splints
Shin splints can be a problem for runners and other athletes who put a great deal of repetitive force on their feet and legs. Sometimes, poor training techniques lead to this condition as well as failure to properly rest the legs and feet after they have been seriously stressed. Beginning athletes often fall prey to shin splints because they push themselves too far, too fast, too soon.
Treatments for Shin Splints
Medical professionals recommend a variety of treatments for shin splints. If you have this problem, you should greatly reduce your activity level to give the leg a chance to heal. If you are a runner, you should run at least 50 percent less and lengthen the time between runs until the condition improves. Icing the affected leg for 10 to 15 minutes after a workout can help prevent inflammation while using a compression bandage can also aid in healing. Simple elevation can also promote healing as can massage. In some instances, your medical professional will prescribe anti-inflammatories, including steroids, to speed healing.
Superfeet Help for Shin Splints
For most people, using the proper foot support can both help prevent shin splints and help them heal. Be sure to wear footwear designed specifically for your activity, and wear Superfeet insoles to disperse ground impact forces and reduce strain on the lower leg.
Which Superfeet insole is best for Shin Splints?
To find the right Superfeet, start with your shoes. What type of shoes are you wearing? What you are doing in those shoes? We think you deserve to experience the I-never-knew-my-feet-could-feel-this-good benefits of the Superfeet shape in all your footwear. That’s why we make insoles for casual and dress shoes, shoe inserts for high heels, insoles for hiking, insoles for running shoes, insoles for snow sports, insoles for skates, and more. Need help finding the best Superfeet for you? Take the online insole finder quiz.
