Shin Splints

Shin splints are one of the most common complaints of beginning runners. Most of us have experienced the pain and tenderness associated with getting back in shape at one point in our lives or another. Shin splits (or Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome as doctors know it) refer to the pain and tenderness along the inner edge of the tibia—the large bone in the lower leg. Repetitive activity causes inflation of the muscles and tendons in the tibia, causing pain.
 
Shin splits most usually affect runners, dancers, or those just getting back in shape after a hiatus. The pain usually develops with a change in physical activity—such as beginning an exercise routine, running hills or increasing the number of days you exercise a week. Additionally, those with flat feet are more susceptible to shin splits.
 
Shin splits are usually quite a minor injury and usually require only nonsurgical treatment. Usually, treatment includes several weeks of rest from the activity that caused the pain in the first place and sometimes an anti-inflammatory medication and cold packs. As previously noted, it is good to introduce new activities gradually so that the body can build up to the additional stress.
 
If pain persists even after you have halted the activity for several weeks, you may be suffering from another cause of shin pain. Only a doctor can say for certain what the cause of the pain is, but Stress Fractures, Tendonitis and Chronic exertional compartment syndrome all have similar symptoms to shin splints.
 
More information on the cause of shin pain can be found at the website for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.