What are shin splints?
Shin splints is a vague term, frequently used by runners, to describe pain felt in the general area of the shin. The pain may begin as a nagging ache but will be exacerbated by running or jumping and can develop into a more noticeable, significant pain if left untreated.
The area covering the front of the lower leg between the knee and ankle joints is commonly known as the shin. It comprises of two bones, the tibia and the fibula, often abbreviated to tib’ and fib’ by medical professionals. The tibia, commonly referred to as the shin bone, is the largest of the two and centrally positioned with the smaller fibula forming the outer edge of each lower leg. It’s possible to identify the exact positioning of your tibia by feeling for the bump of bone just below the front of your knee and the bump on the inside of your ankle; the top and bottom of the tibia respectively.
Shin splints is a vague term, frequently used by runners, to describe pain felt in the general area of the shin. The pain may begin as a nagging ache but will be exacerbated by running or jumping and can develop into a more noticeable, significant pain if left untreated. Sufferers often find it difficult to ascertain how long they’ve actually had shin pain as it comes on insidiously and quite often, in the early stages, wears off once the muscles have warmed up. The condition, although prevalent among runners, is a common sporting injury suffered by participants of many other weight-bearing or high impact activities with the pain generally being caused by a stress overload placed on the tibia. In the majority of cases, the stresses create muscular complaints (muscular shin splints) but in others, the result can be the appearance of tiny stress fractures in the bone itself (bony shin splints).
What are the symptoms of shin splints?
- Pain or tenderness will be felt in the general area of the shin but most commonly the lower, inside area of the tibia
- In some cases, swelling may be visible
- In some cases it may be possible to feel small lumps on the inside edge of the tibia
- In some cases, redness may appear in the skin over the painful area
- Pointing the toes or foot downwards will generally increase the pain
- Pain may be experienced each time the foot hits the ground - even in walk
- Shin pain experienced at the beginning of an exercise session may ease off as the muscles warm up
- Shin pain that eases during exercise may return after the exercise session and very often the following morning