What is it?
Shin Splints is a common overuse injury consisting of inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue around your tibia or shin bone. The condition is characterised by diffuse pain along the inside of the shin bone, and is generally located over an area of approximately 5-10cm.
This injury usually affects active individuals and through its early stages, patients often mention that the pain improves after warming up. However once the condition progresses, the pain levels can become quite debilitating which can result in them not being able to exercise.
Despite previous thoughts, the pain is as a result of small micro-tears in the system of muscles attaching to the bone, rather than directly over the bone itself.
What are the symptoms?
- Tenderness, soreness or pain along the inner side of your shinbone
- Mild swelling in your lower leg
- Stabbing or dull pain on the front part of the lower leg
- Pain can be felt both during and after exercise
Why did I get it?
Shin Splints can be caused by many factors and is generally seen in active individuals of all ages.
The majority of people with the condition often present with many of the following risk factors:
- Poor footwear
- Biomechanical foot issues (poor alignment)
- Sudden increase in exercise levels
- Sudden change in exercise program
- Tight lower limb muscles
- Poor running technique
- Increased body mass
- Poor ankle range
How is it diagnosed?
A thorough examination by one of our highly trained Podiatrists who will diagnose the condition, identify the contributing factors and develop a clear plan to ensure the correct road is being taken to become pain free.
Depending on the severity of symptoms, you may be referred for a diagnosis scan to rule out possible stress fracture.
How can I treat it?
The quickest path to being pain free is to pay a visit to your Podiatrist for them to help you develop a treatment plan.
Below are some treatment strategies which may be implemented by your Podiatrist:
- Strapping
- Rest, Ice, compression
- Footwear advice
- Custom orthotics
- Soft tissue massage
- Neuromuscular needling
- Moderated rest
- Rehabilitation program
Although Shin Splints can be painful, there is light at the end of the tunnel because when treated correctly it is a condition that you can recover from quickly and fully so you can get back into achieving those physical and lifestyle goals.
Ready to take back control and permanently resolve your shin pain?
Book your appointment with one of our podiatrists now!
