What Are the Treatments for Shin Splints?
Shin splint injuries occur mostly to athletes and those who often run or walk long distances. The injury can happen when the legs are worked too hard and results in an inflammation of the tendon and tissues around the shin, or front of the leg below the knee. The shinbone is the largest bone in the lower leg that runs from the knee to the ankle. The pain from shin splints often begins as a dull stinging pain which transgresses into sharper and sharper pain. A collection of treatments for shin splints is known as the multifaceted "relative rest" approach and usually is all a person needs to treat shin splints. However, if none of these treatments seem to help and swelling in the region persists, the injured person should seek a diagnosis from an orthopedist.
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Ice
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The use of ice packs wrapped in a towel and placed on the shin splint reduces the inflammation and relieves the pain. The affected area is normally located in the middle region of the lower leg near the shinbone, or tibia. Ice should be applied to the region for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day for several days.
Bandage
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Wrapping an Ace bandage around the shin splint area helps to relieve some pain. It is also helpful to elevate the injured leg to reduce the swelling.
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Medicine
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Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen (Aleve) and other pain relievers, also reduce swelling and ease the pain of shin splints.
Leg Stretches
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Careful stretching of the legs and calf muscles can help loosen up the damaged area and slowly bring the tendon and inflamed tissues back to normal. Stretching exercises should be done both before and after a tough workout to warm up the leg muscles before exercise and gradually acclimate them back to a period of rest after exercise.
Controlled Workouts
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Limiting excessive workouts by the injured person to simple cardiovascular exercise gives the injury time to heal and slowly get back to normal. This can be done with the use of a stationary bike or pool exercise. Workouts should be increased gradually until the tendon returns back to normal. It is important to avoid running until the injury has healed, which normally takes about two weeks.
Shoe Change
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In some cases, changing to a more comfortable running shoe specifically designed for a particular sport may be just the trick to avoid a recurrence of shin splints. Using shoe inserts, or arch supports, can also provide a comfortable cushion and long-lasting stress relief to the area of the shin.
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References
- Photo Credit Leonor Crossley
