Shin Splints

Shin Splints As an athlete our bodies go through lots of rough things. Being an athlete puts you at a greater risk of developing shin splints. Shin splints is medically known as medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), refers to pain in the shins - the front lower legs. Shin splints occur during physical activity and result from too much force being placed on your shinbone and connective tissues that attach your muscles to the bone.They can be caused by a number of different things, irritated and swollen muscles from overuse. It can also be caused by stress fractures, which are tiny breaks in the lower leg bones. Shin splints are very common. Runners might get them after ramping up their workout intensity, or changing the surface they run on, like shifting from a dirt path to asphalt. There are several ways you can treat shin splints. Rest your body. It needs time to heal. Ice your shin to ease pain and swelling. Do it for 20-30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for 2 to 3 days, or until the pain is gone. Anti-inflammatory painkillers, like ibuprofen, or aspirin, will help with pain and swelling. They should be used only occasionally unless your doctor says otherwise. Arch supports for your shoes, orthotics, which can be custom-made or bought off the shelf. It may help with flat feet. Range-of-motion exercises, if your doctor recommends them. Neoprene sleeve to support and warm your leg. Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles in your shins. Shin splints often heal on their own. If you see a doctor, expect to get a thorough physical exam. Your doctor may want to see you run to look for problems. You may also need X-rays or bone scans to look for stress fractures.