Shin Splints or Medial Tibial Stress syndrome can be very painful and debilitating, often striking runners and people with an active lifestyle. In this article, I attempt to discuss what the best orthotics or insoles for shin splint treatment are. Orthotics should not be used alone in the treatment of shin splints. They should be used in conjuction with stretching, bracing and taping.
What about custom orthotics? Custom orthotics are great. Podiatrists make them specifically for your foot. They are the gold standard of orthotics. But they are expensive. In some cases insurance covers them, but if not they can cost upwards of $600. If your insurance does not cover custom orthotics, I recommend trying an over the counter orthotic first, since they are cheaper and can sometimes take care of the problem.
What you are looking for in an over the counter orthotic for shin splints is an orthotic that provides cushioning and shock absorption while at the same time being able to redistribute stress via biomechanical control. Below I have listed a couple of examples of orthotics that may help:
Powerstep Pinnalce Maxx Orthotic Supports– I love Powerstep orthotics for shin splints. They have a deep heel cup that helps control and redistribute shock, at the same time providing cushioning via an outer EVA shell.
Sorborthane Ultra Work Sport Insoles– These orthotics feature extra padding in the heel area to help mitigate forces to the Tibia. They are lightweight and durable. The one downside I see is they may not give good Biomechanical control or redistribution of forces. But if you are looking for an orthotic with extra cushioning, and are worried about the stress on the Tiba, these are the orthotics for you.
Lynco Sports Orthotics: These sports orthotics are nice in that they come in a variety. In other words you can tailor the orthotic for your foot type. If you have high arches, Lynco has a high arch orthotic. If you have flat feet, Lynco has a flat feet orthotic. So if you are looking for an orthotic specific for your foot type Lynco is the way to go.