Running with Shin Splints?

Shin Splints are a very common injury among runners and the pain can be debilitating. Shin splints can come from poor running technique, over-training, poor footwear, hill work and other causes. There are also a wide variety of treatment options. For a better understanding of shin splints, I recommend visiting Dr. Pribut's page on shin splints.

Footwear considerations

Selecting the proper footwear for your foot type can help significantly. If you have a higher-arched foot, you will want a shoe that provides better heel and forefoot cushioning and a semi-curved last. Aetrex, Brooks, and Somnio have excellent shoes for this foot type. If you have a low-arched foot, you will want a shoe with better motion control and a straight-lasted shoe. Arch support and medial (varus) wedges can be added for over-pronation. Over pronation and over supination can also aggravate shin splint pain. The Somnio shoe, pictured above can be "tuned" to the individual needs of the runner. The 2010 Somnio shoes are due to arrive at the end of April, but numerous runners have commented that they have experienced immediate relief from shin splints and other injuries in runner's forums and blogs.

Could your big toe joint be the problem?

We have seen numerous runners and fitness enthusiasts over the past years complaining of anterior shin splints on the outside of their shins. When I watch them walk and run, I see their feet pointed outwards slightly, and can see an outward rotation as they toe-off. When we observe this, we do a quick test for big-toe-joint function. If the big toe joint "locks" when the ball of the foot strikes the ground, the runner will naturally compensate by rolling outward as they toe-off. This compensation places additional stress on the outside of the shins, and can also aggravate knee pain, hip and back pain. Essentially you are running like a car out of alignment.

The Cluffy Wedge is a simple wedge-shaped pad, placed underneath the big toe, that provides sufficient clearance to overcome a locking big-toe joint. When the foot is restored to normal function, your running stride is naturally aligned to a more neutral gait and there is fare less stress on the shins, knee, hip and back joints. Several runners have remarked that their shin splint pain disappeared once the Cluffy Wedge was installed in their shoes. To be clear, nothing works 100 percent of the time, but our results with this device has far exceeded our expectations.