Bone Pain - Stress Fracture
A common question we are asked at Superfeet is, "Will the footbeds help stress fracture situations?"
Superfeet cannot state that the footbed product will actually help a stress fracture. This is because it depends on where the stress fracture exists, how large it is and how long it has been in existence. So there are a number of variables that affect the situation.
Although by simply stabilizing the foot with the Superfeet footbed and following the footbed up with a good supportive, stable shoe, you can help to absorb shock within the foot and lower extremity, therefore reducing some of the stresses on the bones within the feet and lower extremity.
It is not uncommon to have runners complain about stress fractures. There are some instances where there is a type of shoe that a particular runner is used to running in, and the body is accustomed to in regards to its adaptation to the shoe. These instances have actually created some stress fractures when the runner has changed brands or style of shoe that they are currently running in.
Sometimes when this change takes place it will reposition the bones in the foot and lower extremity. It may, in some instances, actually create some stress fractures, as there was not adequate time for the break-in process to take place. There may also be some other reasons for the stress fracture to occur, but it is not uncommon to hear runners complain about stress fractures when they have changed some of their running shoes.
The body does adapt and get used to certain shoes, orthotics and footbeds; therefore, when a change is made the body may act in a negative manner, or it may react in a positive manner.
When an orthotic or Superfeet footbed is placed inside the shoe, the goal of the device is to help stabilize the skeletal structure within the foot and properly position the bones within the foot so they can function at their full extent. This will help to take stresses off the muscles, tendons and ligaments. It will also reduce some of the stress on the bones.
If you have the right shape under the foot, cradling and supporting the foot, you will get the proper function.
One of the goals in dealing with stress fractures is to try to help absorb the shock when the foot hits the ground. If you properly position the bones in the feet, the shock can enter the foot at heel-strike, go through the proper joints in the foot, and exit the foot at toe-off with much greater efficiency.
If the shock is allowed to enter the foot and exit the foot properly, the shock will actually spend less time within the foot structure therefore reducing the potential for the shock to fatigue or damage the foot. If the shock is allowed to spend extended periods of time within the foot, it can actually do more damage to the foot. Although the foot has to deal with shock when it hits the ground, the knee is actually the main shock-absorbing joint for the body. If we align the foot properly, that will offer better knee alignment for better shock absorption.
Preventative situations for stress fractures would be first, to use a good footbed. Secondly, make sure that the shoe is properly supporting the foot for the activities and sports that you are involved in.
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