Shin Splints Diagnosis

Shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome) are pains in the front of your lower legs that result from exercise, especially running. According to the Mayo Clinic, the pain from shin splits is due to an excessive burden placed on the shinbone and the connective tissues that fasten your muscles to the bone. The vast majority of shin splint cases respond well to home care treatments such as rest and ice.

Risks

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says studies show shin splits account for up to 16 percent of injuries among runners. They are most common among people who have recently launched a running program.

  You are at risk for shin splints whether you run a marathon or simply chase after a soccer ball.

  According to the Mayo Clinic, people with flat arches are more apt to roll too far inward while running and that can be part of the cause of shin splints.

Symptoms

• Shin splints are known to cause tenderness, pain or soreness down the length of your lower leg. There may also be some swelling.

  The pain due to shin splints may dissipate when you quit running, but soreness may become persistent over time.

Home Remedies

• Simply resting your legs is usually a highly effective treatment for shin splits. An over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be sufficient to ease soreness and discomfort.

  You may also apply ice to the tender area for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day for a few days. Wrap the ice in a washcloth or thin towel to safeguard your skin.

  Elevating the affected leg above the point of your heart can help reduce swelling.

When to Consult Your Doctor

• The Nationals Institute of Health (NIH) states that if shin splint pain continues even after a period of rest and home-care methods have failed to remedy your symptoms, be sure to consult your doctor. Your doctor may recommend that you see an orthopedist (specialist in correcting deformities of the skeletal system).

  When your shin pain is the result of an accident or fall, seek medical attention right away.

Diagnosing Shin Splints

• Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and consider your medical history when diagnosing shin splints. An X-ray can help you doctor eliminate other possible conditions, such as a stress fracture (small cracks in a bone frequently caused by overuse.)

  The NIH says in rare cases surgery made be needed when shin-splint symptoms caused by an anterior compartment syndrome do not go away after a period of time. ACS is a potentially serious form of shin splints causing intense pain and inflammation.