Shin Splints

Shin splints is a common overuse lower extremity injury that affects runners, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts. There are a variety of factors that can lead to shin splints including poor footwear, muscular imbalances, and over training. 

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Medial tibial stress syndrome, usually referred to as shin splints, occurs when there is inflammation causing pain along the inside of the tibia. The pain is usually described as dull or sharp and felt during exercise. It is often alleviated by rest. It can be caused by repetitive stress on tendons, muscles, and tissues around the shin from activities such as jumping, running, and other high-impact sports. It is important to differentiate shin splints from other issues such as stress fractures and compartment syndrome. If you suspect you are suffering from shin splints, consulting a healthcare provider first is recommended.

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There are multiple strategies to prevent shin splints. It is important to gradually start a new exercise and make sure you are strengthening properly. Another strategy is to ensure that you wear proper footwear with support along with maintaining proper running mechanics. Lastly, incorporating cross-training into your activities and performing an adequate warm-up and cool-down allows your muscles to adapt and strengthen overtime preventing injury.

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If you are experiencing shin splints it is important to avoid excessive stress to your lower extremity. A physical therapist can help create a customized plan to improve strength, flexibility, and mobility to safely help you return to normal physical activity. It is important to understand your root cause of shin splints and biomechanics during exercise to decrease risk of injury and reach your fitness goals!

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References:

Bhusari N, Deshmukh M. Shin Splint: A Review. Cureus. 2023;15(1):e33905. Published 2023 Jan 18. doi:10.7759/cureus.33905

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Deshmukh NS Jr, Phansopkar P, Wanjari MB. A Novel Physical Therapy Approach in Pain Management and Enhancement of Performance in Shin Splints Athletes: A Case Report. Cureus. 2022;14(7):e26676. Published 2022 Jul 9. doi:10.7759/cureus.26676

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