Common Ailments
Over-Pronation
Pronation is the inward roll of the foot. This is a necessary function of the anatomy of the foot that provides support, balance, and cushioning for the body during motion. In a normal gait cycle the heel comes in contact with the ground, then pronates slightly as the foot flattens out, and finally pushes off from the middle to inside of the forefoot to allow forward motion. Many runners (about 70%) over-pronate, where the foot flattens out too much and the inward roll becomes severe.
Under-Pronation (Supination)
Far less common than over-pronation, under-pronation (or supination) is when the foot fails to roll inward and instead the body weight remains along the outer edge of the foot. Supination motion is natural during the push-off phase, when the heel leaves contact with the ground and the body balances along the entire forefoot as it propels the body forward.
Plantar Fasciitis
The plantar fascia is the dense connective tissue located at the bottom of the foot where the heel and arch meet. It is most frequently caused by over pronation. If the foot flattens or becomes unstable during running/walking, the plantar fascia may pull away from the heel bone. This results in pain and/or swelling primarily where the heel and arch meet. Pain is most noticeable when pushing off of the toes. Repeated tearing and damage to the plantar fascia can lead to the development of a "heel spur" on the calcaneus (heel bone).
IT Band Syndrome (ITBS)
The iliotibial band (IT Band) is a thick, fibrous band of tissue extending down the outside of the leg from the hip to the outside of the shin bond (tibia) just below the knee. The IT Band provides stability and assists in flexion of the knee. ITBS is often due to overuse and sudden increase in mileage. Persons with pronation issues or who are bow-legged are more susceptible to ITBS.
Shin Splints
Shin splints are caused by fatigue and overuse of the muscles along the shin bone (tibia). Most often they are along the inside of the shins and toward the lower half of the leg. It may be caused by training regimen, but is often a result of running or jumping in shoes that are broken down or are improperly fit.
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