Shin Splints What Causes It

Information  •  Thu 16 Sep 2021

Shin splints are overuse injuries involving inflammation of the shin area. It is common in young athletes and can be caused by running, football, soccer and netball especially on hard surfaces. Shin splints are also known as medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), which refers to increase stress on the shin bone due to repetitive stress from an athlete's activity. The pain associated with shin splints can range from mild discomfort to severe pain, making it difficult for the individual affected to continue running and exercise without pain.

How is shin splints diagnosed?
A physical examination is the first step in diagnosing shin splints. This may ask you to point out where exactly on your shin it hurts and, if so, how much pain you are feeling during specific movements. If necessary, an X-ray or MRI of the shin bone can be taken to exclude a stress fracture.

Treatment
Shin splints can be treated with the help of anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen; however, this isn't a long-term fix; it just reduces some pain temporarily. Applying cold therapy to the shin area for 15 minutes is also recommended to reduce inflammation and pain levels. Icing must not occur too often since it may cause skin damage. It is essential not to apply ice directly on the skin but wrap a towel around the affected area before applying the ice pack instead.

Individuals who experience shin splint symptoms regularly when they engage in physical activity might consider changing their routine activities by engaging in low impact exercise like swimming or cycling, which cause less stress on leg muscles than running. In addition to that, wearing supportive shoes while participating in sports during shin splint treatment is highly recommended.

Orthotics can be an excellent way to treat shin pain by correcting any alignment issues that may be causing your shin problem. Since most people develop this condition due to overuse or repetitive impact on their feet while running or jumping for extended periods, an orthotic insert is one of the best ways to relieve the stress placed on your lower legs when you wear them throughout your activities.

Shockwave Therapy for shin splints
When shin splints become chronic, they can be challenging to treat. This is where shockwave therapy may come in handy as it uses high-energy sound waves that pass through the body, promoting healing.

If you suffer from shin splints, there are many treatment options available. To avoid worsening and becoming a chronic condition and causing yourself more pain, we recommend booking an appointment with us as soon as possible.