Shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome) are an exercise-related pain. Shin splints occur along or just behind the inner (medial) edge of the shin (tibia). The pain usually involves a span measuring about 3 inches to 4 inches. Shin splints result from exercise of the involved leg(s). The pain recurs if you try to go back to doing the same kind of exercise before healing is established. Studies show that medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) commonly affects runners, aerobic dancers and people in the military.
Shin splints are an inflammation of the thin layer of tissue that covers the bone (periosteum). The bone tissue itself is also involved. This can be seen on bone scan examinations. The muscles that attach to the shinbone through the periosteum are the part of the shin that hurts. These are the soleus muscle (an ankle flexor important in pushing off the foot) and the deeper of the two toe flexors (flexor digitorum longus).
Risk Factors/Prevention
Certain factors seem to contribute to the onset of MTSS. Circumstances can result in abnormal tension at the site of the bony attachment. The tension causes microscopic tissue injury. Training such as running, walking and aerobic dancing can cause tissue damage that must heal and adapt to the increased level of tension. When training causes damage more quickly than the area can heal, a more chronic inflammatory state seems to occur. Some factors can help cause tension and microdamage more quickly than the area can heal and adapt. You may be more likely to get MTSS if there are abnormal stresses from:
* Flatfoot or abnormally rigid arch (foot/ankle mal-alignment)
* Knock knee or bow legs (knee mal-alignment)
* Runners: As many as 13.2 to 17.3 percent of all running injuries have been attributed to MTSS. Shin splints are among the five most common running injuries.
* Aerobic dancers: In a group of aerobic dancers, 22 percent of dance related injuries were MTSS.
* Military personnel: Naval recruits who were followed through their first 11 to 12 weeks of training showed a 6.4 percent incidence of MTSS.
Circumstances that contribute to MTSS include relatively sudden changes in:
* Training regimens, such as running longer distances or on hills, increasing the length of time spent aerobic dancing or increasing the number of days you exercise each week
* Surfaces, such as running on concrete rather than cinders
Wearing shoes that have lost their shock absorbing capacity can also be a factor.
Symptoms
Symptoms of shin splints include pain during increased activity. The pain is felt along or just behind the inner edge of the shin. It measures a distance of several inches. It is centered about two-thirds of the way down from the knee.
See your doctor to diagnose MTSS. Tell him or her your complete medical history and describe how the condition started. The doctor will examine you and recommend treatment.
Treatment Options
Treatment for shin splints involves several weeks of rest from the activity that caused it. You may substitute other forms of conditioning. The doctor may recommend that you take anti-inflammatory medications, or use cold packs and mild compression to feel better. Most often the pain is not so bad with just ordinary walking. After several weeks of rest, training begins at a level much lower than what you were doing before. Increase training slowly. If you start to feel the same pain, quit exercising immediately for the rest of the day. Use a cold pack and rest for a day or two. Return to training again at a lower level of intensity. Increase training even more slowly than before. Use pain as your guide:
* Severe pain is avoided.
* Mild pain is a sign that you have reached or even passed your maximum level for the session.
Most people eventually get back to their prior level of fitness/training.
