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Shin splints, a common overuse injury, can cause significant pain and discomfort for athletes and active individuals. Characterized by pain along the inner edge of the shinbone, shin splints often result from repetitive stress and improper training techniques. Follow our practical tips to help you overcome shin splints and return to your favorite activities. A physical therapist (PT) can be instrumental in helping you recover and preventing future issues. Gait and biomechanics analysis, customized strengthening and stretching, manual therapy, and pain management — there are 101 tools in our toolbox to assist with your discomfort. Let’s talk!

What are shin splints?

Shin splints refer to pain and tenderness along or just behind the large bone in the lower leg (the tibia).

What causes shin splints?

Shin splints most often happen after hard exercise, sports, or repetitive activity. This repetitive action can lead to inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and thin layer of tissue covering the shin bones, causing pain.

What are the symptoms of shin splints?

These are the most common symptoms of shin splints:

• Pain felt on the front and outside of the shin. It’s first felt when the heel touches the ground during running. In time, pain becomes constant and the shin is painful to the touch.
• Pain that starts on the inside of the lower leg above the ankle. Pain gets worse when standing on the toes or rolling the ankle inward. As the shin splint progresses, the pain will increase.

The symptoms of shin splints may look like other conditions or medical problems. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How are shin splints diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider can most often diagnose shin splints by reviewing your medical history and doing a physical exam. X-rays are often needed.

How are shin splints treated?

Your healthcare provider will figure out the best treatment based on:

• How old you are
• Your overall health and medical history
• How sick you are
• How well you can handle specific medicines, procedures, or therapies
• How long the condition is expected to last
• Your opinion or preference

The best course of treatment for shin splints is to stop any activity that’s causing the pain until the injury is healed. Other treatment may include:

• Stretching exercises
• Strengthening exercises
• Cold packs
• Medicine, such as ibuprofen
• Running shoes with a stiff heel and special arch support

Can shin splints be prevented?

You may be able to prevent shin splints by wearing good fitting athletic shoes. Also, gradually increase the intensity, duration, and frequency of a new exercise routine. It may also help to switch between high impact activities and low impact activities such as swimming or cycling.

Overcome shin splints and achieve your fitness goals. With a tailored plan from a Rausch Physical Therapist, you’ll not only recover more quickly but also learn strategies to prevent shin splints from recurring, so you can stay active and pain-free! Call us today at 949-276-5401. For more tips, follow us on Instagram.

Reference: [https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/shin-splints]