Shin Pain and Shin Splints
Shin Pain and shin splints are often described as a "Bursting or dull
throbbing along the front of the shin that is aggravated by walking
or running".
This is caused by excessive rolling in of the feet (pronation).
The muscles of the shin and the lower limb attempt to correct this
over pronation
and quickly become overworked. This leads to a busting type pain in
the muscle bellies and long standing tenderness in the attachment
sites of the muscles of the shin.
Docpods help to prevent shin pain through limiting the amount
of pronation. This helps to rest the muscles of the shin and keep their workload
within normal limits.
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Continue reading below for a more complex
description
Shin pain and Shin Splints ExplainedWhat are Shin Splints?
Shin splints are the name commonly given to the group
of conditions that cause pain in region of the tibia (shin bone).
The lower leg pain resulting from shin splints is caused by very small
tears in the leg muscles at their point of attachment to the shin.
There are two types:
1. Anterior shin splints
occur in the front portion of the shin bone (tibia).
2. Posterior shin
splints occur on the inside (medial) part of the leg along the
tibia.
Anterior shin splints are due to muscle imbalances, insufficient
shock absorption or toe running. Excessive pronation (rolling in) contributes to
both anterior and posterior shin splints.
What Causes Shin
Splints?
Mechanical abnormalities of the bones of the foot can cause over
pronation. Over time with the repetitive motions of walking and
running this strains some of the muscles of the calf (the soleus and
tibialis posterior) that function to slow this rolling. The soleus
and tibialis posterior muscle pull on the backside of the tibia where
they attach. Eventually this causes inflammation in the outer layer
of the bone, called the periosteum. This is directly related to the
repetitive pounding forces associated with running.
Other causes of shin splints include stress fracture of the tibia and
tendonitis of the muscles that cross the ankle and compartment syndrome.
Treatment for Shin Splints Rest – One way to reduce the symptoms
of shin splints is to avoid or modify those activities, which aggravate the
condition.
Ice – ice will help reduce inflammation in to the area
and will also help to reduce pain involved with the injury. Ice should be
applied for 10 minutes 3 times per day for the first 72hrs or following
activity.
Anti-inflammatory medication - will also reduce the pain
and inflammation associated with the injury and will speed up recovery.
Anti-inflammatory medication can be purchased over the counter from your chemist
(Neurofen).
Orthotics – used when there is a mechanical deformity
in the bony structure of the foot (usually causes rolling in). Orthotics balance
the foot which allows it to function more efficiently. Misalignment of the foot
will also cause the leg to be misaligned. This will cause the muscles that help
to slow pronation to be overworked.
Stretching Strengthening - A
specific exercise program stressing calf muscle stretching and strengthening
(soleus and tibialis posterior) may be necessary to speed
recovery.
Modify Activity – Swimming is generally the most well
tolerated fitness activity. In choosing a fitness program, one should use pain
and swelling as a guide.
Surgery – Is used when all of the above
treatments have failed to relieve shin pain.
Recovery
Your
recovery will depend on the nature of your shin pain and your individual health.
Shin splints normally takes about 6 to 8 week weeks for a healthy individual to
recover. This of course depends on the duration the condition has been untreated
for.
In a small number of cases conservative treatment of shin splints is
unsuccessful and surgery may be necessary.
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