Shin splints, or lower leg pain is a common ailment, particularly in runners. It can occur in seasoned runners as well as beginners or even non-runners. The pain appears when the physical stress of running(or walking) exceeds the body’s ability to tolerate it.
The key symptom is an ache , throb, or pulling sensation in one or both legs, between the ankle and knee. Pain can be present either on the front or inner side of the shin. Often, there is tenderness when pressure is applied to the shin bone(tibia). These symptoms usually occur after running or other weight-bearing exercise. However, in some cases the pain may actually go away while exercising, once the muscles are warmed up. This can lead a person to ignore the symptoms, only to worsen gradually.
Shin splints can be caused by muscular imbalances, insufficient shock absorption, increasing running mileage too quickly, or excessive pronation(flattening and turning in) of the foot. Muscle imbalances occur when one group of muscles is either too tight or too weak in relation to the opposing group. An example is the calf muscles being too tight and the frontal shin muscles being too weak. A physical therapist can evaluate a muscle imbalance and prescribe corrective exercises. Insufficient shock absorption can be related to a combination of muscle imbalance, a hard running surface, or shoes that are worn out, as well as excessive pronation. It is important not to exceed the useful life of your running shoes when it comes to shock absorption and overall support. Experienced running shoe salespeople can help you make that determination.
Minor cases of shin splints can be self-treated with a combination of rest or cutting back on activity and in some cases, anti-inflammatory medicine. Questions about medication can be answered by a physician. Application of ice after activity is often helpful. Runners or walkers can decrease their mileage and avoid hard surfaces, or get better cushioning. Suspect pronation as a cause of the problem if the inside heel of the shoe wears out more quickly than the outside. Supportive, inexpensive shoe inserts are often enough to alleviate shin splints. There is now a leg support available that may help some individuals. In extreme cases, custom-fitted orthotic devices may be needed. Persistant problems can be addressed by professionals who deal with the lower leg and foot, such as podiatrists, sportsmedicine physicians, and physical therapists.
If ignored, shin splints can develop into a stress fracture, a much more serious problem.
