Shin Splints
The cause of shin splints is inflammation of the periostieum (which is the layer of tissue over the shin bone to which the muscle attaches). The constant and repetitive pull of the shin muscles on the periostium causes the muscle attachment to become inflamed. Pain with shin splints is pain along the inside of the tibia about halfway down the leg where the muscle attaches near the edge of the bone The lower leg muscles feel tender and may have a burning sensation. Shin splints are almost uniformly caused by overuse or an increase in intensity of activity or exercise. The diagnosis of shin splints can be made with physical examination by a physician and sometimes confirmed with an MRI.
Recommendations:
- Consult a physician if you think you have shin splints
- Warm up and stretch before, during, and after an activity, for muscle and tendon flexibility
- Rest is the most important part of the treatment program for Shin Splints. Decrease training program by 50 percent. If that does not cure the problem, training should be decreased again by 50 percent.
- Develop a Cross-training program
- Use Shin supports to help treat and prevent Shin Splints
- Use Foot Orthotics to help correct foot problems which may be contributing to Shin Splints