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Shin Splints

Shin Splints | Orchard Health Clinic

What are Shin Splints?

Shin Splints or Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome is an inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue around the tibia. Pain typically occurs along the inner border of the tibia, where muscles attach to the bone. Shin Splints frequently affect people who engage in moderate to heavy physical activity and are most likely to develop due to participation in strenuous physical activities or stop-start sports such as Tennis, Racquetball, Soccer, or Basketball.

Causes of Shin Splints

In general, Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome develop when the muscle and bone tissue (periosteum) in the leg become overworked by repetitive activity. Shin Splints often occur after sudden changes in physical activity. These can be changes in frequency such as increasing the number of days you exercise each week. Changes in duration and intensity such as running longer distances or on hills can also cause Shin Splints. Other factors that contribute to Shin Splints may include having flat feet or abnormally rigid arches and exercising with improper or worn-out footwear. Runners are at the highest risk for developing Shin Splints. Dancers and military recruits are two other groups frequently diagnosed with this condition.

Symptoms of Shin Splints

The most common symptom of Shin Splints is pain along the border of the tibia. Mild swelling in the area may also occur. Shin Splint pain may be sharp and razor-like or dull and throbbing, occur both during and after exercise, as well as aggravated by touching the sore spot.

Shin Splints Treatment

Physical therapy is helpful in treating Shin Splints. As this is an overuse injury, avoiding the aggravating activity will help with recovery. The affected muscles typically become tight with this type of injury so physical therapy and gentle stretches will help with pain and recovery. Apart from manual therapy and Cryotherapy, Kinesio taping may be used to provide some arch support so as to help the shin muscles heal. A personalised home exercise program and functional training to prevent Shin Splints from recurring will be prescribed. Footwear modification will also be recommended to provide better support. If in doubt, please seek professional advice.

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