Understanding Shin Splints
Shin splints is the common term for medial tibial stress syndrome. It refers to pain felt anywhere along the shinbone from knee to ankle.
Pain felt on the inner side of the shinbone is called medial shin splints, while the term anterior shin splints refers to pain felt on the outer side.
People who play sports that involve a lot of running are particularly prone to this injury.
Whats Causes Shin Splints
Several factors can contribute to the development of shin splints. Overuse is one of the most common causes, occurring when you exercise too hard or try to push beyond your current fitness level, which can strain muscles, tendons, bones and joints. Flat feet, also known as excessive pronation or ‘rolling’ the feet inwards, can pull at the shin tendons and cause painful tearing of these soft tissues, as the shin muscles play an important role in maintaining the instep or arch of the foot. High-impact activities, particularly running on hard or uneven surfaces, can injure the shin muscles and tendons through repeated impact. Additionally, wearing the wrong type of running shoes can contribute to the development of shin splints by failing to provide adequate support and cushioning.
Common Symptoms of Shin Splints
Shin splints typically present with several characteristic symptoms. Aches and pains are felt along the shinbone, and the area becomes tender and sore to touch. In some cases, the overlying skin may appear red and inflamed. The pain associated with shin splints can occur at different times, being felt before, during or after running.
How to get relief from Shin Splints
Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (the RICE protocol)
Anti-inflammatory Medication
Stretching & strengthening exercises
Use a neoprene sleeve (FS06 Compression Sleeve) to support and warm your leg.
How we Treat Shin Splints
Our Podiatrists are able to treat shin splints effectively. Treatment may include realigning the foot with respect to the leg (using orthotic shoe inserts) to improve the efficiency of mechanics. This reduces the abnormal forces to the respective muscle groups along with better shock absorption.
Other treatments may include.
- Footwear advice and/or modification
- Dry Needling
- Rare cases need surgery, such as if you have a stress fracture causing your shin splints.
It is important to assess the biomechanics of the lower limb and foot to determine any factors that may predispose you to poor shock absorption or musculature imbalance.
An in-depth analysis is required to assess foot motion with respect to the lower limb, along with assessing a range of motion to determine any muscle tightness. The biomechanical observations can give clues to whether any of the muscles are being overworked or fatigued.
Ready to fix your Shin Pain?
For foot and ankle pain, consult Galleria Podiatry for an accurate diagnosis and a tailored treatment plan. If you’re located in Morley and near Bayswater, Galleria Podiatry provides specialised care for foot and ankle issues for all patients in the City of Bayswater.
Your Shin Splints Questions Answered
What are shin splints?
Shin splints is the common term for medial tibial stress syndrome. It refers to pain felt anywhere along the shinbone from knee to ankle. Pain felt on the inner side of the shinbone is called medial shin splints, while the term anterior shin splints refers to pain felt on the outer side.
What causes shin splints?
Several factors can contribute to shin splints: overuse from exercising too hard or pushing beyond your current fitness level; flat feet (excessive pronation or ‘rolling’ the feet inwards) which can pull at the shin tendons; high-impact activities, particularly running on hard or uneven surfaces; and wearing the wrong type of running shoes that don’t provide adequate support and cushioning.
Who is most prone to getting shin splints?
People who play sports that involve a lot of running are particularly prone to this injury, especially athletes, runners and dancers.
What are the symptoms of shin splints?
Common symptoms include aches and pains along the shinbone, tenderness and soreness to touch in the area, and in some cases, the overlying skin may appear red and inflamed. The pain can occur before, during or after running.
How can I get relief from shin splints?
Relief methods include rest, ice, compression, and elevation (the RICE protocol); anti-inflammatory medication; stretching and strengthening exercises; and using a neoprene sleeve (FS06 Compression Sleeve) to support and warm your leg.
How does a podiatrist treat shin splints?
Treatment may include realigning the foot with respect to the leg using orthotic shoe inserts to improve mechanical efficiency and reduce abnormal forces to the muscle groups. Other treatments include footwear advice and/or modification, dry needling, and in rare cases surgery if you have a stress fracture causing your shin splints.
