Sudden Increased Physical Activity a Common Cause of Shin Splints

Sudden Increased Physical Activity a Common Cause of Shin Splints

If you have ever had shooting pains down the front of your legs after overexerting yourself running, skating or some other physical activity, chances are you had shin splits. Sometimes referred to as tibial stress syndrome, this condition is characterised by pain occurring along the tibia (or shinbone), the long bone in the front of your lower leg. You may even experience tenderness or mild swelling around the area.

Possible Causes

Almost fifteen percent of running or jogging injuries are shin splits. Unfortunately, tibial stress syndrome is not really a single condition but rather an indication of another underlying problem. For instance, tibialis posterior tendonitis, irritation of the tendon which attaches to the muscle behind the shin bone and runs down the back of the leg to the inside ankle, could be a contributor.

When you do not have foot arches for support and to serve as biological shock absorbers (a condition known as flat feet), this can cause undue stress and pain on the shins. Tiny stress fractures in the surface of the tibia are another cause. Excessive stress on the tibia and all the connective tissues that connect the muscle to the bone can cause pain and inflammation. Slamming your feet into a hard surface or running down a hill are typical physical activities that cause this type of stress.

Treatment Options

Resting or avoiding the activities that cause the tibial pain is one of the most important steps to take. Do not avoid exercise altogether but rather choose low-impact options like bicycling or swimming. Ice therapy is another smart treatment option for tibial stress syndrome. Cold packs can reduce the swelling and inflammation along with elevating the affected legs.

Examining your footwear is important as well. When your feet roll inward or outward too much, this can cause a strain on your legs, particularly the shin bone. Having the right orthotic insoles inserted into your shoes can help prevent injury. An orthopaedic podiatrist specialising in this area can take a plaster cast of your feet to create custom-made arch supports to provide an optimal foundation geared specifically to your biomechanical needs. Physical therapy and special range of motion exercises many also be beneficial in treating shin pain.

It is important to ease back into your normal physical routine gradually so as not to aggravate your shin splits or make them worse. Low-impact exercises, ice therapy and orthotics are your best options in treating shin pain as well as other conditions that may contribute to tibial stress syndrome. An orthopaedic specialist can definitely help you identify the causes as well as prescribe the treatment.

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