OVERVIEW

What Are Shin Splints?

Shin splints — or medial tibial stress syndrome — are overuse injuries caused by repeated stress on the lower legs.

The tibia, the long bone in the front of your lower leg, becomes inflamed and painful.

Shin splint causes and risk factors

Running is a common cause of shin splints, especially if you increase your level of activity too quickly.

Some factors make certain people more prone to get shin splints.

These shin splint risk factors include:

• Problems with the arch of your foot or flat feet.
• Muscle imbalances in the lower leg.
• Running on hard or inclined surfaces.
• Inadequate shoes.

SYMPTOMS

Shin splint symptoms

Shin splints may cause the following symptoms:

• Pain along the shinbone — before, during, or after activity.
• Tenderness to the touch

Shin splint diagnosis

To diagnose shin splints, your physician will take a medical history and perform a physical exam. 

It's easy to confuse shin splints with stress fractures.

As a result, your physician will assess your injury to rule out or diagnose a stress fracture before moving forward with a treatment plan for shin splints.

Unless your physician suspects a more serious issue or bone problem, you won't need any imaging or diagnostic tests.

TREATMENT

Shin Splint Treatment

At-home shin splint treatment

You can treat shin splints at home with rest and ice massages along the tibia.

Your physiotherapist may try compression therapy with tape or commercial sleeves

If problems with your foot shape are the cause of your shin splints, be sure to:

• Wear proper running shoes with shock-absorbing insoles.
• Change your shoes every 300 to 400 miles.
• Follow a gradual running plan.
• Visit a pedorthist to determine whether custom orthotics would help

Shin splint prevention

Stretching and strengthening the muscles of your lower leg can help prevent shin splints.

To help lessen the stress on your lower leg, try adding cross training to your work out.

Add in exercises that are easier on the joints, such as:

• Swimming
• Walking
• Biking
• Strength training
• Yoga

Other ways you can prevent shin splints include:

• Slowly increasing the duration, frequency, and intensity of your running routine or workouts.
• Wearing quality running shoes that fit well.
• Stretching before and after exercise.

A sports medicine physician or physiotherapist can provide the best advice for preventing shin splints.

 

 

 

 

Content supplemented by UPMC Sports Medicine