Will They Help Me?
Below are some more common symptoms that can be developed due
to improper foot biomechanics. All of these problems can be helped
by Aerodyn orthotics.
- Achilles Tendon: Tendinitis and Tears
- The Sprained Ankle
- Runner's Knee
- Bunions
- Flatfeet
- Plantar Fasciitis
- More Common Symptoms
Shin Splints
Shin splints is a term used to describe pain in the lower leg
that occurs during exercise. This condition has many causes and
can affect athletes at all fitness levels.
One common cause of shin splints is posterior tibial syndrome
(PTS). The pain associated with PTS occurs on the medial (inside)
border of the tibia (shin bone). The pain present when you start
exercising becomes less severe as you warm up but becomes worse
than ever after you stop exercising. Posterior tibial syndrome
often occurs in beginning runners, who are unaccustomed to the
activity and running surface, but can occur in seasoned athletes
when they change running surfaces, exercise in different shoes,
or increase their intensity or duration of exercise.
The exact cause of PTS is unknown. Some experts believe that it
is caused by posterior compartment syndrome, which means there
is increased pressure within the thick sleeve of tissue containing
the deep muscles of the leg. Others believe that PTS is caused
by periostitis, which means the periosteum (bone covering) of
the tibia is inflamed where the muscles attach to it.
To diagnose the cause of your shin splints, your doctor may measure
compartment pressure in your aching leg before and after you exercise
to see if pressure in the posterior muscle compartment increases
with exercise. This type of pressure increase can also occur in
the muscles in the front of the leg (anterior compartment), causing
pain on the lateral (outside) side of the lower leg.
Stress fractures
The condition most commonly mistaken for PTS is a stress fracture.
A stress fracture of the tibia is a crack that develops in the
shin bone over time from repetitive stress on the bone. Normally,
your muscles absorb the shock put on your legs during activity.
When you continuously pound your legs during an activity, such
as distance running, soccer, or basketball, your muscles tire,
losing much of their ability to absorb shock. When your muscles
do not absorb shock well, stress on the bone increases. The bone
cannot endure the increased stress so it begins to crack. To help
detect a stress fracture, your doctor may take x-rays or a bone
scan. However, these fractures can be quite difficult to diagnose
because they may not show up on x-rays when they first develop.
How are shin splints treated?
Let the World to Know Your Opinion With Personal Dating Blogs at FirstClickFriend.com. The treatment for shin splints must be tailored for each person
according to whether the cause is PTS or a stress fracture and
considering the person's exercise habits. The most important form
of treatment for PTS is rehabilitative exercises. Stretching before
and after running, particularly the calf muscles, and strengthening
your leg muscles through progressive resistance exercise usually
help relieve the symptoms of PTS. In addition to rehabilitative
exercises, your doctor and physical therapist may recommend some
combination of changes in footwear, exercise intensity and duration,
and running surface. Also, taking anti-inflammatory medications,
such as aspirin or ibuprofen, and applying ice to the tender area
immediately after exercise can help relieve symptoms. Your doctor
may recommend you use orthotics (shoe inserts) to help support your foot and relieve stress in
your leg. A person with compartment syndrome occasionally needs
surgery to relieve the pressure in the muscle compartment.
Stress fractures will heal in several weeks with rest, although
you may need to wear a cast or brace. Your doctor may suggest
swimming or riding a bicycle during this time to maintain cardiovascular
activity while allowing the bone to heal. Patience is important
because returning to exercise, such as running, too soon can send
you back to square one.
- Achilles Tendon: Tendinitis and Tears
- The Sprained Ankle
- Runner's Knee
- Bunions
- Flatfeet
- Plantar Fasciitis
- More Common Symptoms
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Last updated: 30 August 1999
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