Shin Splints

Shin splints can cause pain in the front lower leg due to minor tearing of the anterior muscle (muscle between mid-foot and knee) from the shin bone.

There are two types of shin splints:

• Anterior Shin Splints: Located in the tibia (front portion of shin).
• Posterior Shin Splints: Located on the medial (inside) part of the tibia.

Causes:

Overuse, vigorous activity or a sharp and sudden increase in activity can lead to shin splints, therefore exercise levels should only be increased gradually. Running on hard surfaces or physical activity without the use of supportive training shoes increases the likelihood of shin splints as more stress is exerted on the anterior muscle in an attempt to absorb shock.

People who run on tiptoes or partake in sports that involve a lot of jumping are susceptible to this particular condition as these activities cause an imbalance in the distribution of pressure and add stress to the joints. Biomechanical problems such as over pronation or supination can cause the muscles to exert themselves in order to retain balance. This constant stress can causes the muscles to tear, resulting in shin splints.

Symptoms:

• Lower leg pain.
• Tender shins.
• Swelling or redness around shin area.
• Lumps covering the bone.
• Pain when toes are pointing towards the floor.

Prevention & Treatment:

• Gentle stretching of the posterior leg muscles before and after exercise.
• Apply ice after exercise to reduce swelling.
• Rest the leg as much as possible and substitute low-impact exercise that lessen stress to the joints such as bicycling.
• When exercising avoid running uphill or on hard surfaces.

If the problem continues visit a sports injury specialist or Podiatrist/Chiropodist who may advise:

• Rehabilitation, strengthening and flexibility exercises.
• An orthotic for pronantion or supination to improve the biomechanical alignment of the foot.
• Prescription of anti-inflammatory medications.
• Massage, electro stimuli and heat to reduce pain and swelling.