Health Topics for Sports Medicine

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

UI Family Care

Shin Splints

Do you feel sharp pain along your shins while you are jogging or during aerobics class? Has it gradually gotten worse? Are your shins tender and a little swollen? If your answers are all yes, it is likely that you have shin splints. You can feel the pain of shin splints on the front, inside, or back of your leg. The term "shin splints" is used to describe exercise-related lower leg pain.

The cause could be one of three overuse injury conditions that develop gradually during excessive sports activity:

• muscle irritation over the shin bone

• stress fractures of either of the lower leg bones or

• muscle swelling in the shins

With muscle irritation, the muscles that cover the shin bone become irritated and may cause swelling. In extreme cases pain is felt before, during, and after exercise. This is caused by repetitive pounding of the feet during running sports like aerobics, basketball, and volleyball.

Stress fractures appear as tiny cracks in the lower leg bones. They may occur when muscle strength is exceeded, or when muscle contractions bend the bones. Stress fractures are common in distance runners and ballet dancers. People with thin bones are at greater risk.

During exercise, the muscles of some people swell with blood more than is normal. This puts pressure on surrounding nerves and the blood supply. Tightness, numbness, and tingling in the lower leg are signals that a medical emergency has developed. If left untreated, long-term loss of mobility in the leg may result.

To lessen the risk of shin splints:

• wear well-cushioned, quality running shoes

• run on soft surfaces like grass, dirt, or exercise mats

• increase the intensity of your workout gradually

• warm up before exercise and cool down after (Be sure to include calf stretches.)

• check with a healthcare provider to see if you need orthotic inserts for your shoes

After all your symptoms have improved, do leg-strengthening exercises.

Treat minor problems with RICE therapy: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. If symptoms do not improve, get a medical examination. Early and proper diagnosis is important for treatment and recovery.

Copyright (c) 1999. HBO & Company (602) 230-7575. All Rights Reserved.