Cause of Shin Splints

Shin splints are a common ailment that affects the front of the legs between the knees and ankles. The most common symptom for shin splints is the appearance of pain in the area between the bone and the muscle in the shin. The best way to prevent shin splints as well as to treat them when they do occur is to understand their cause.

Causes

There are three different common causes of shin splints, which involve pain and inflammation in the shins. The most common of the three causes is medial tibial stress syndrome. The second most common cause is compartment syndrome. The third most common cause of shin splints is stress fracture. All three of these causes stem from overuse of the legs in high impact activities such as running and jumping. Putting a lot of stress on the lower leg will make you especially vulnerable to developing shin splints. Another common cause for shin splints comes from failing to allow yourself enough recovery time following a heavy workout.

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome

There are tendons in your legs that connect your tibia and tibial muscles to one another. When these tendons and the sheath surrounding the tibia bones become inflamed, shin pain results. The most likely place for this pain to be experienced is at the point where the tibia and the tendons are connected, which is just above the ankle on the bone's inside edge. The most sufficient treatment for this type of shin pain and inflammation is a combination of ice, rest and strengthening or stretching exercises.

Compartment Syndrome

Fluid can sometimes accumulate in the connective tissue that encases the muscles of the leg as a byproduct of exercising too hard. This places pressure on the nerves and the muscles in the leg, causing numbness, weakness, pain and swelling. Compartment syndrome is an ailment that will require several weeks of healing combined with icing, stretching and strengthening exercises. If compartment syndrome is suspected to be the cause for your shin pain, consult a physician.

Stress Fracture

During exercise that is too vigorous, before the bones in the leg have had a chance to strengthen sufficiently, minute splintering may occur in the tibia. The pain may not be noticeable, or may be difficult to distinguish from other types of shin splint pain at first. With continued exercise, however, the pain can become significantly worse. Unlike the other causes for shin splint pain, stress fractures require medical treatment as well as complete and total abstinence from the sport that was the cause of the fracture in the first place.

Warning

Warming up before every workout is vital, and allowing for adequate cool down is also essential. Overworking your legs before they have become sufficiently strong will cause more than just shin splint pain. Serious injuries, such as stress fractures, can be experienced easily when the body has not been allowed to warm up and cool down properly with every workout.

References

• Mayo Clinic Guide to Shin Splints