Collection: Shin Splints

Shin Splints: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Treatment Solutions

Definition of Shin Splints

Shin splints are a common condition that causes pain along the front or inside of the lower leg, often experienced by athletes, runners, and active individuals.

What are shin splints? Shin splints, medically known as medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), occur when there is inflammation of the muscles, tendons, or bone tissue around the shin, usually due to overuse or repetitive impact.

Symptoms of Shin Splints

Shin splints symptoms include sharp or dull pain along the shinbone or front of the leg, tenderness, and swelling. The pain often worsens during or after exercise, especially with activities like running, jumping, or walking on hard surfaces. If you’re wondering what do shin splints feel like, the pain is typically felt along the inner part of the shin and can sometimes radiate to the sides of the lower leg.

The condition is commonly divided into two types: anterior shin splints, which occur on the front of the shin, and posterior shin splints, which affect the inside of the shin. Posterior tibial shin splints refer to inflammation in the tendon of the posterior tibial muscle, contributing to pain along the inner edge of the shinbone.

Causes of Shin Splints

What causes shin splints is typically the result of repetitive stress on the lower leg muscles, such as excessive running or jumping without proper recovery. Incorrect biomechanics like excessive pronation or supination, or gait alignment, poor footwear, improper exercise technique, or sudden changes in activity intensity can also increase the risk of developing shin splints.

Treatment for Shin Splints

If you’re suffering from shin splints, shin splints treatment typically includes rest, ice therapy, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E). Shin splints therapy may also involve stretching and strengthening exercises to help reduce the risk of recurrence. Best insoles for shin splints can provide extra support and cushioning, helping to absorb impact and reduce stress on the shin. It is important to do an effective biomechanical assessment and gait alignment test with your podiatrist to determine the correct treatment for you.

How to prevent shin splints ?  Involves correcting abnormal biomechanics and gait alignment most importantly then gradually increasing activity intensity, wearing supportive shoes, and incorporating appropriate warm-up and cool-down routines. If you’re dealing with shin splints pain, early intervention is key to avoiding further injury and ensuring proper healing.