Shin splints are a very common running injury. In fact, there are many who feel that they were not "built to run" because of shin splints. In fact, shin splints are an injury that can be controlled.
Shin splints are an overuse injury involving the muscles and tendons on the front of your leg and ankle. These tendons are overactive because of your natural mechanics. If your foot is flat, or of it has an excessively high arch, your mechanics becomes unstable. One way for your body to compensate for this instability is to increase the use of your muscles to add stability.
Unfortunately, when muscles are overused, they don't have the blood supply to support the excess usage. Not enough oxygen is available to the tissues and they "cry out" for more by becoming inflamed and causing pain. This is true of most overuse running injuries, including shin splints.
The best way to control shin splints is to address your mechanics and reduce the usage of the muscles. This is best achieved with a custom orthotic, a specialized insole made for you to allow your feet to function in a more stable and efficient manner. When properly constructed, an orthotic can effectively eliminate your shin splints.
If you have suffered with shin splints, you should consider a custom orthotic to allow you to run without the worry of constant pain. Contact Houston podiatrist Dr. Andrew Schneider for an evaluation to see if custom orthotics is the appropriate treatment for your shin splints.
