Shin Splints
What are shin spints?
Shin splints is most commonly referring to pain in the front of the lower leg. In the medical community they are referred to as medial tibial stress syndrome. Patients often state that they have pain on the shin bone. This is due to the inflammation of the muscles, bone, tendons and soft tissue along the tibia.
The pain can be intense and can be so painful it hurts just to walk! We see this type of injury in all types of athletes who have some type of running or jumping involved in the sport they participate.
The cause of the shin splints could be biomechanical and means that sometimes the athlete needs a little more support in the shoe they train in. For some athletes there is a muscle imbalance and training the anterior(front of the leg muscle group) can improve outcomes over time. Other athletes might just be over training and may require a little rest and possibliy medicine for the inflammation
The cause of the shin splints could be biomechanical and means that sometimes the athlete needs a little more support in the shoe they train in. For some athletes there is a muscle imbalance and training the anterior(front of the leg muscle group) can improve outcomes over time. Other athletes might just be over training and may require a little rest and possibliy medicine for the inflammation
Treatment for shin splint
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Ice, we will recommend icing at least twice a day in an aggressive manner to promote blood flow to the area and provide an anti inflammatory effect. We usually will recommend compression on the affected extremity in the form of a compression sleeve and a compression pump for the legs. If you are training on hard surfaces we will recommend switching to a softer surface like grass over cement. We often will prescribe a medication for a short period of time to help with inflammation and pain.
If you have seen us for shin splints, then you may know we are huge fans of physical therapy for this condition. We show you some exercises and stretches for shin splints that you can perform at home. But if you have severe shin splints and Xrays and MRI show no fracture, we are going to send you to a physical therapist for more advanced care.
Our recommendations for Shin Splints
Ice
This will always be my first recommendation is to ice 2 times a day and every time after use. I like the Ice roller devices available on Amazon. Easy to use and take out of the freezer. Above picture is a link to our Amazon Affiliate Store where you can find this product.
Compression Sleeves
If you are going to be up and on your feet wearing a compression sleeve will not heal you, but it will decrease the swelling in the shin. This will in turn decrease your pain to some extent. Above picture is a link to our Amazon Affiliate Store where you can find this product.
Compression Pumps
This can be a more spendy helper for your leg pain and shin splints. There are so many different types on Amazon. I am sharing the one we personally have used for the athletes that live in our house! We have 2 soccer players and one track runner and have made very good use of this high quality product. I recommend at least once a day before bedtime for this device. Above picture is a link to our Amazon Affiliate Store where you can find this product.
Work the front muscle
This crazy looking contraption helps you strengthen the anterior muscle group. Would recommend using this with a light weight 2 times a day. Above picture is a link to our Amazon Affiliate Store where you can find this product.
Extra support
This is sometimes a little hit or miss, but often adding support to your shoe can help decrease some of the strain on the shin. This though might require trying a couple different inserts out. Above picture is a link to our Amazon Affiliate Store where you can find this product.
Rolling the shin
This is also a hard thing to do to yourself because it hurts! But rolling before and after activity can help the shin splints. Above picture is a link to our Amazon Affiliate Store where you can find this product.