Shin Splints

What Are Shin Splints?

Shin splints or shin pain is a common complaint, especially among participants of running sports.  The term 'shin splints' is colloquially used to describe pain along the inside or front edges of the shin. 

Generally shin pain arises from a combination of three structures:

• Bone
• Tenoperiosteum
• Muscle

Bone

Damage to the bone usually concentrates in the lower one-third of the shin bone (tibia). The bone damage may be mild, such as a simple stress reaction, or may be a severe complete fracture. Except in the worst cases, bone damage is not visible on normal x-rays. A bone scan or MRI may be recommended if your physiotherapist or doctor need to exclude or confirm a bone injury.

Tenoperiosteum

All bones are covered in a 'shell', called periosteum. The tendons, which connect the muscle to the bone, attach on to this periosteum. This zone at which the tendon meets the bone is known as tenoperiosteum.

Almost all cases of 'shin splints' have some element of inflammation of the tenoperiosteum. Inflammation of different tendons leads to pain in different areas of the shin. See diagram above.

Muscle Compartment Syndromes

As a result of repeated overuse, one or more of the muscle compartments in the lower leg may become swollen. This can result in the blood being unable to flow through your muscles. In additional to the short-term pain, the consequent lack of nutrients to the muscle slows their healing, and may lead to long-term cell damage.

In extreme cases, surgery may be required to release the muscle compartment pressure.

Treatment for Shin Splints

Most of the treatment principles are similar to any overuse injury.

First, using No items found. techniques, your therapist will normalise or lengthen the abnormal muscle tissue, soften any scar tissue that has accumulated in the periosteum and use electrical modalities to promote your healing rate.

Ice may also be helpful in the acute phase.

Repeat episodes will require a thorough investigation of your biomechanics. You are advised to consult a podiatrist to assess your biomechanics.

Common Treatments for Shin Splints

What Outcome Should You Expect?

Usually, with a combination of 'hands-on' physiotherapy treatment, massage, electrotherapy, biomechanical assessment, muscle strengthening and stretching, and the right advice, shin splints can be easily overcome. In most cases, you will be able to make a pain-free return to sport.

If shin splints are ruining your enjoyment of sport, then we suggest that you not contact your sports physiotherapist for a professional evaluation and treatment.

How Can You Stop Shin Splints Recurring?

Your physiotherapist or podiatrist will assess you and help you to correct the underlying causes.

Common problems include:

• Poor foot posture
• Poor knee flexion alignment
• Poor buttock control at in the stance phase
• Poor core stability
• Tight calf muscles, hamstrings
• Weak quadriceps, foot arch muscles
• Training Intensity
• Unsupportive Footwear

FAQs about Shin Splints

• What Causes You to Feel Pain?

• Physiotherapy & Exercises

• When Should Diagnostic Tests Be Performed?

• What are the Different Massage Styles and their Benefits?

• How Does Kinesiology Tape Work?

• Does Stretching Prevent Injury?

• How Can You Prevent a Future Leg Injury?

• How Much Treatment Will You Need?

• What are Growing Pains?

• What are the Common Massage Therapy Techniques?

• What are the Early Warning Signs of an Injury?

• What is Sports Physiotherapy?

• What is the Correct Way to Stand?

• When Can You Return to Sport or Work?

• Why Does Heat Feel So Good?

Helpful Products for Shin Splints

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