Shin splints, or medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), are caused by excessive exercise and result in painful inflammation of the lower tibia. Rest, ice, and proper training can help heal and prevent shin splints, while surgery is rarely necessary.
The vague medical term “shin splints” has largely been replaced by the more accurate term medial tibial stress syndrome, or MTSS, but many athletes, dancers, and soldiers still use the older term. Shin splints are a painful condition in which the bone tissue and thin membranes of the lower tibial bone become inflamed. The most common cause of shin splints is excessive exercise, especially during repetitive running or jumping maneuvers. Shin splints/MTSS are one of the most common injuries reported by professional aerobic dancers and runners.
During an average run, your lower legs receive a significant amount of stress when your feet hit hard ground or concrete. Normally, cushioned running shoes and a proper running stride will minimize this shock, but runners with worn shoes, prone feet, or flat arches experience even more stress on the shinbone. The result of all this pounding is an inflammatory pain felt in a two to three inch area of the lower tibia. These are shin splints, although doctors may suspect a more serious condition called a stress fracture.
The most common treatment for shin splints is at least a week of rest. Ice packs or a light elastic bandage can also help minimize pain, along with over-the-counter pain pills or creams. Shin splints eventually heal, but returning to a stressful activity too soon can cause them to flare up again quickly. This is why many doctors and trainers suggest a two to four week restriction on running after recovering from shin splints. However, low-impact cross training on bikes or treadmills may be allowed.
Tibial splints rarely require surgery, and a number of orthopedic specialists question the effectiveness of the surgeries currently performed. The key to avoiding shin splints is proper training. Stretching the lower leg muscles during the warm-up will allow the ankle to get better propulsion between strides. Shoes should have strong arch support and sufficient cushioning. Runners and dancers should not push themselves beyond their limits, especially if the pain in their lower legs becomes intense and localized.
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