Shin Splints Injury Treatment

Shin Splints is a broad term meaning any pain over the front of the lower leg or shin (tibia) bone. Three injuries are commonly associated with shin splint, anterior compartment syndrome, medial tibial stress syndrome and tibia stress fracture. Runners, jumpers and other individuals that are active on their feet are usually predisposed to experiencing shin pain.

- Likely Shin Splints or Shin Pain causes are :
- Biomechanical abnormalities during activity such as running or leg length discrepancy.
- Running on hard surfaces or altering running surface.
- Incorrect footwear during sporting activity or running.Increase in intensity and/or frequency of training/activity. 

Anterior Compartment Syndrome Causes & Treatment

Compartment syndrome can occur anteriorly and posterior superficial and deep in acute or chronic states. The condition occurs when the muscle becomes too large for the surrounding sheath producing pain. The muscle affected in anterior compartment syndrome is tibialis anterior.

A sharp pain in the muscle at the front of the leg will be experienced during aggravating exercise such as running or impact, painful movement of the ankle and tenderness over the front over the shin.

The best treatment is rest and ice the shin reducing any swelling, make an appointment for specific soft tissue to stretches the tissue and reduce welling. Muscle imbalanced and footwear will also be analysed fro advice and rehabilitation to correct any potential causes.

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome Causes & Treatment

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome or also known as medial tibial traction periostitis occurs along the inside edge of the tibia. The injury occurs from the muscles tendinous attachments along the medial border of the tibia becoming inflamed and damaged. The muscles believed to be the source of pain are the tibialis posterior, soleus and flexor digitorum longus. Pain usually eases at the start of activity however the pain is worse the following day.

The factors causing the condition will have to be corrected such as footwear, training surface, training intensity, muscle imbalances and any repetitive high impact loading. Along with ice to control inflammation, sports massage to aid recovery and stretch the tendon and rehabilitation to strengthen and stretch the local muscles.

Tibia Stress Fracture

Tibia stress fractures commonly cause shin pain in athletes with high impact or repetitive loading of the lower legs.

Athlete's experience a gradual onset of pain increased by exercise, local tenderness can be found, however a bone scan or MRI scan can confirm stress fractures.

The same as the other condition under the Shin Splint umbrella, the causing factors during training will need to be corrected to allow recovery and avoid reoccurrence. The injury will need to be rested until no bony tenderness is present and then slowly return to normal activity. Muscle strengthening must be maintained during the recovery period and any soft tissue tightness treated.