If you love running or participating in team sports, you're at risk for shin pain, pain in the knees, Achilles tendonitis, and other lower extremity injuries. Medial tibial stress syndrome, as it is referred to by the Mayo Clinic, is a pain that goes down the length of the shin bone and is caused by excessive pressure on the bones, muscles, and ligaments of the lower part of the leg. This stress can be made possible by running activities in any setting and can be exacerbated by flat feet and insufficient foot arch support.

Many sports therapy experts recommend using ice, temporarily ceasing running or sports, and using proper shoes, preferably in conjunction with sports insoles. Putting ice on the shin and supporting structures in the lower leg help relieve pain while decreasing the amount of swelling soon after an injury. Rest is always suggested because it allows for the bones, tendons and muscles to repair themselves. Finally, using proper shoes can drastically help deter re-injury to the lower legs and feet by providing better cushioning and foot arch support. This promotes correct foot position and takes in shock. Sport insoles can significantly enhance performance and endurance because they provide support for the foot arches and extra cushioning. For people with low arches, these special sports insoles support the arch appropriately and rebalance the lower body.

Overpronation due to flat feet can cause more than just shin pain to occur. Plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, knee, ankle, and low back pain, as well as Achilles tendonitis can all be brought on by flat feet. If sports insoles are not used during demanding activities, reinjury and serious foot problems can persist. The mechanics involved in these injuries are connected to the plantar fascia tendon, which is the key structure that supports the foot arch. It is a band-like structure that lengthens to absorb the shock triggered when the foot bears weight during activity. In people with flat feet, this tendon is too long and has lost its ability to elongate. Its ability to absorb shock has disappeared. This situation also causes overpronation of the foot, or the propensity for the ankles to roll toward the center of the body. The weight of the body is then oddly focused on one place rather than being evenly distributed over the entire area of the foot. This is how sport orthotics can be of utmost importance in cases of flat feet and other foot conditions; they provide support and cushion in the right places.