Hip replacements can be a drastic change for your body. After undergoing the surgery, your legs may undergo slight length changes. Your body must also adapt to the changes in weight from the new hip. Because of all this, the way you walk may change. Over time, this can put excessive strain on your shins and cause chronic pain.
Surprisingly, one of the best ways to manage this pain is through your feet. Orthotics worn inside your shoes on a day-to-day basis can ease tension all the way up the leg, helping to manage shin pain.
Managing and preventing shin pain after your hip replacement
As one adapts to life after a hip replacement, there are ways to compensate for the changes. If the shin pain is caused mainly by a change in leg length, it can be eased by reducing the pressure placed on the front of your foot with each step. But this can lead to more serious conditions later on, like medial tibial stress syndrome.
Physical therapy is one way to avoid habits that might negatively affect your health. A physical therapist can demonstrate ways to move around that will keep your legs strong and in as little pain as possible. They may recommend wearing orthotic insoles, which can help manage shin pain after a hip replacement in the following ways:
- Providing support in key areas to reduce overpronation and underpronation, where specific parts of the foot are favored in stepping.
- Improving foot, ankle, knee and hip alignment.
- Reducing joint tension.
These benefits can not only ease current pain, but also save you from future pain that could be caused by further stress on your bones.
Biocorrect custom orthotics help manage pain after hip replacement
Handcrafted by experts, our high-quality orthotics are personalized to give you support exactly where you need it. Visit one of our offices for a one-on-one fitting, or receive a moldable foam impression kit in the mail.
Contact us to learn more about the orthotics we offer or to set up an initial evaluation with one of our certified pedorthists.
