INTRODUCTION TO SHIN SPLINTS

A shin splint is the most common cause of exercise-induced leg pain encountered by athletes of all levels. In the past the term shin splint has been used to describe all forms of pain in the lower leg. Misleading terms such as compartment syndrome and stress fractures have all been used to describe a shin splint. However, a shin splint is a very specific problem. It is essentially an inflammatory reaction involving the deep tissues of the lower leg and may involve tendons & muscles. The inflammatory reaction occurs at the point where the deep tissues insert into the inside (medial) or front (anterior) aspect of the leg bone (tibia). The most appropriate terms that can be used to describe a shin splint are Tibial stress syndrome or tibial fasciitis. There are two forms of shin splints, a Medial (inner aspect) and Anterior (outer aspect) shin splint.

 

SYMPTOMS

• When a patient is suffering from a medial shin splint the pain and the tenderness will be present on the inner aspect of the leg.
• In an anterior shin splint, pain and tenderness is present on the front and outer aspect of the leg.
• In both cases, running and walking may be extremely painful. In severe cases, even light weight bearing may be painful.
• Tenderness is usually present between 3-13 cm above the foot.

 

CAUSES

• Over training.
• Mechanical problems with the feet such as "over pronation". Over pronation can be simply described as a condition which causes your arches to flatten out when you stand up. This causes your ankles to roll in towards each other and disturbs your normal walking pattern. If a foot over pronates the structures of the leg are stretched and put under stress, which increases the likelihood of that structure being injured.
• Tight calve muscles.
• A young novice runner training for long periods on hard roads and in poor physical condition.
• Training on hard surfaces such as concrete.
• Improper shoes, inadequate shock absorption.
• Excessive rotation of the hip.

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO

• Purchase shock absorbing running shoes.
• Decrease training immediately.
• The use of crutches may be necessary to ensure there is non-weight bearing
• Review stretching exercises may be necessary
• Light swimming may help to maintain fitness.
• Do not train downhill, this can aggravate the condition.
• Purchase shin splint insoles.

 

 

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