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| Photo by: Sura Nualpradid, freedigitalphotos.net |
Whether you are a regular
barefoot runner or a contemplating future participant to this very popular
trend, it is important to be educated on how this style of running could affect
your foot health. Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot specialist in Troy, NY has treated
many runners over the years with a variety of foot and ankle problems. A very
painful but common problem runners often face is shin splints.
Shin splints are associated with pain alongside your
shinbone, or tibia. This is the large bone in the front of your lower leg. Injury
can occur in this part of the leg with too much stress, overtraining and poor
footwear. For a runner, the repetitive impact on hard surfaces can cause stress
on the tibia and result in swelling, pain and tenderness.
While there has been much
controversy about the safety and effectiveness of barefoot running, there are
supporters who claim that regular running shoes are the problem. Certain
studies have shown that the extra support in running shoes alters the way our
feet should strike the ground and causes our heels to absorb the bulk of the
force. This, in turn, can cause injury over time such as shin splints.
Going barefoot causes a runner to
land on the balls of the feet instead of the heel, which allows the calf muscle
and Achilles tendon to take the bulk of the stress rather than the shin. There
are many things to consider, however, before jumping into barefoot running. Without
the proper knowledge and training, this activity can lead to serious injury.
There are certain foot structures and deformities that may prevent a runner
from safely running barefoot.
If you are interested in barefoot
running, we suggest coming in to see Dr. Pandya beforehand. He can evaluate the
health and structure of your feet, identify any potential problems and offer
his expert advice. Call our podiatric office today at (518) 273-0053 or visit
us online at www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.
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