Physical activity or misuse of the foot, joints, and muscles of the lower leg can result in a number of unpleasant disorders. These frequent foot illnesses, such as shin splints, turf toe, and foot imbalances, are physically unpleasant and interfere with a person’s daily activities. Each of these disorders can cause more pain throughout the body and have long-term effects on a person’s health and physical well-being. These conditions will be examined in greater depth, as will the risk factors and greater complications that can arise from these lower body injuries, as well as how foot orthotics can effectively prevent these conditions from occurring, allowing individuals to participate in the activities they enjoy without lower body pain.

What exactly are shin splints?

A common exercise-related injury is medial tibial stress syndrome, popularly known as shin splints. Shin splints are defined by sudden discomfort along the tibia (shin bone), most commonly around the inner border where the muscle joins to the bone. Shin splints are caused by inflammation of the tendons and muscles surrounding the shin bone.

 

What exactly causes shin splints?

Shin splints are common in athletes and anyone who engage in moderate to strenuous physical activity. Shin splints are common among runners and dancers, military recruits, and people who play sports like basketball, soccer, or tennis. Any action that involves a repeated hammering motion of the legs and feet puts strain on the lower body’s bones and muscles. Shin splints are frequently caused by abrupt changes in the intensity, frequency, or duration of physical activity. Inflammation can begin and become exceedingly painful when the body is unfamiliar with the stress of a high impact activity.

 

Shin splints are classified as a cumulative stress disorder, which occurs when the muscles, bones, and connective tissues become overworked over time. Excessive force from high-impact exercises causes muscles to expand, putting additional strain on the shin bone. The discomfort and inflammation associated with shin splints are caused by the increased pressure.

 

What are the signs and symptoms of shin splints?

Shin splints cause pain in the front of the leg, between the knee and the ankle. The following are the primary symptoms of shin splints:

 

Pain in the inner and outer shins

Stabbing, shooting, or sluggish aching aches

Muscle ache

Pain that worsens with exercise

Swelling of the lower leg

Feet are weak and painful.

Shin ache that is sensitive to touch

Tenderness that persists after physical activity has ceased

Toes on the turf

What exactly is turf toe?

Turf toe is a sprain of the big toe’s base joint. When the toe is continually bent upwards, the joint around the big toe can become jammed, causing damage to the surrounding tendons and ligaments.

 

What exactly causes turf toe?

Grass toe is named after sports that are played on artificial turf and are frequently the source of the injury. Basketball, soccer, dance, martial arts, and wrestling are some of the other sports that are typically connected with turf toe. Turf toe is often caused by activities that entail regularly pushing off the ground, running, or leaping. A turf toe injury is caused by a combination of upward bending and pressure from pushing off.

 

What are the signs and symptoms of turf toe?

Turf toe is usually caused by a quick trauma rather than a long-term strain. Athletes that suffer from turf toe are frequently aware of when they were hurt. Symptoms usually appear quickly and worsen over time. The following are some of the most prevalent symptoms of turf toe:

 

Foot pain at the ball of the foot

Foot range of motion is restricted.

Walking is difficult.

Having difficulty balancing

When moving the big toe towards the body, there is pain.

Tenderness in the big toe and its surroundings

The swelling of the toe

Imbalances in the feet

What exactly are foot imbalances?

A biomechanical inaccuracy in the way we stand or walk is referred to as a foot imbalance. Foot imbalances are widespread, and often worsen as people get older, as years of walking and standing weaken the feet. Overpronation and supination are two of the most common types of foot imbalances.

 

What exactly is overpronation?

The inward rolling of the foot that occurs when walking is referred to as pronation. Pronation is a natural action that occurs during the gait cycle. Overpronation occurs when the foot rolls inwards excessively as a result of falling arches or flat feet. When overpronators walk or run, the heel strikes the ground, the foot rolls inwards, and the weight is placed on the inner border of the foot rather than the ball of the foot, as it should be. Overpronation causes the foot to flatten and the tendons, muscles, and ligaments on the underneath of the foot to stretch.

 

What exactly is supination?

Supination occurs when the foot rolls excessively onto its outside edge while walking or sprinting. Supination, sometimes known as underpronation, is the inverse of overpronation. Supination happens when the outside edge of the foot and the lower leg absorb the shock of the motion. Excessive strain is applied to the ankle, which might result in an ankle injury.

 

What factors contribute to foot imbalances?

While certain people’s feet are predisposed to overpronation or supination, foot imbalances are most typically caused by changes in foot shape excess time. By the time they reach their forties, the majority of people will have some form of foot imbalance. High arches and flat feet are two typical biomechanical reasons of foot imbalances. Supination is more common in people with very high arches, while overpronation is more common in people with fallen arches or flat feet.

 

What are the signs and symptoms of foot imbalance?

Foot imbalances can manifest in a variety of ways, depending on their severity and a person’s degree of activity. Athletes exhibit different symptoms than the common pedestrian. However, there are certain typical overpronation and supination symptoms, which include:

 

Heel ache

Tenderness or soreness in the arch of the foot

Calluses and corns

Back, knee, and hip pain

Foot pain at the ball of the foot

Increased pain when using the foot

Pain that does not go away when you relax

Pain that occurs on a regular basis when performing the same motions (walking, standing, playing sports)

Shin splints, turf toe, and foot imbalances can all cause complications.

Conditions like the ones mentioned above can lead to more serious injuries and long-term suffering. Individuals suffering from shin splints, turf toe, or foot imbalances are more likely to have discomfort in other areas of the lower body, such as knee pain or back pain. The feet serve as the foundation for the rest of the body, and when the feet are in pain or injured, the entire lower body can suffer. The following are some of the difficulties that can occur when these circumstances exist:

 

Pain in the knees, hips, and back

Foot discomfort can have an impact on more than just the feet and ankles. When the feet are not in good alignment, are not completely supported, or have a disease like shin splints or turf toe, all of the lower body joints and muscles are at risk of injury or strain. When the feet are not functioning properly, the alignment of the entire body suffers. It is not uncommon for foot issues to cause pain in everyone, from high-performance athletes to the general public. Any of the lower body joints may experience pain, which may be present during motion as well as rest, and the pain may frequently worsen during the day. Foot imbalances and foot injuries are major causes of aching feet, bunions, trouble standing or walking, and discomfort radiating up the body from the feet. When a person suffers a foot injury, they frequently overcompensate in other areas of their body in order to continue their activities without interruption. As a result, it’s typical to feel discomfort in other parts of the body that have been overworked as a result of a foot ailment.

 

Sciatica

Foot problems are frequently the fundamental cause of many chronic illnesses. Sciatica is defined by pain that radiates from the lumbar spine down one side of the body, passing through the buttock, hip, and outer leg. Sciatica pain is frequently described as acute or searing.

 

Untreated foot imbalances or overcompensating for a foot injury can induce sciatic pain due to the state of the feet, causing hip and lower back misalignment. Poor posture and unsupported arches aggravate sciatica.

 

Stenosis of the Spine

Spinal stenosis is a disorder that affects the lower back caused by nerve compression at the base of the spine. The symptoms of spinal stenosis can be felt in the feet, causing numbness or weakness. Walking or standing may aggravate symptoms of spinal stenosis. When the feet are not properly balanced, or if there are other pre-existing foot issues present, the symptoms of spinal stenosis may be more severe, making therapies less effective.

 

Custom Orthotics for Correcting Foot Issues

Shin splints, turf toe, and foot imbalances are all treatable and preventable problems. Custom orthotic insoles from IDEASTEP give your feet the support and stability they need to perform properly and avoid discomfort and damage. The following is an outline of how IDEASTEP Orthotics can help you prevent each of these conditions:

 

Shin Splints

IDEASTEP’s shock-absorbing insoles are specifically designed for athletes, providing more support, stability, and cushioning, ultimately reducing injuries caused by high-impact activities like running or dancing. IDEASTEP orthotics aid improve foot alignment and reduce stress on the lower legs during physical activity. Our sneaker orthotics are built with a range of dancing shoes in mind, and our dance orthotics are customized for runners based on their distance. Our orthotics combine the comfort that clients seek with injury prevention techniques that keep them pain-free.

 

Toes on the turf

Turf toe can be considerably reduced by using orthotic insoles, particularly those made for athletics. Cushioning on the ball of the foot absorbs shock and provides stability for the foot, as well as immobilizing the big toe to avoid excessive movement and bending. Customers may participate in their favorite sport thanks to IDEASTEP’s cleat orthotics!

 

Imbalances in the feet

The high-quality custom orthotics from IDEASTEP adjust the feet to address variances in arches and offer the essential support to prevent overpronation or supination. Regularly wearing orthotics corrects bad postures that may have evolved over time. IDEASTEP orthotics improve gait and general posture, lowering knee discomfort, hip pain, and back pain caused by a lack of arch support, whether a person has high arches or flat feet. IDEASTEP’s personalized orthotics absorb injury-causing shock and stabilize the gait while allowing the foot to move naturally. People will be more comfortable when walking or standing, and athletes will benefit from orthotics since they reduce muscle fatigue and increase stride, joint rotation, and overall sports performance.

 

Begin Right Now

Don’t put up with the discomfort of shin splints, turf toe, or foot imbalances. Give us a call to get started on your custom foot orthotics. The sooner you contact our knowledgeable experts, the sooner you’ll be able to enjoy your new orthotics and receive relief from painful issues caused by unsupported feet. Don’t let foot or lower body pain prevent you from living a pain-free life free of hurting feet, painful joints, and difficulties moving. When you place an order with IDEASTEP, you’re taking the first step toward a better, healthier future.