Shin Splint Recovery

The strongest bone is your leg is the tibia or shin, which is below the knee. A sports-related injury to this area is called a shin splint or medial tibial stress syndrome. Proper care of this painful condition can help reduce further injury.

Causes

• Shin splints are associated primarily with running, but additional causes include jumping or walking. One reason for shin splints is overuse of the area during exercise or sports.

Risks

• An untreated shin splint can result in a stress fracture, which occurs when your body tries to accommodate the injury while you are exercising and stresses the mid shaft portion of the bone.

Treatment

• Things you can do at home to help a shin splint heal are ice packs to reduce swelling, tape on your lower leg to take the pressure off the injury and over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen. But most important is rest. You should not participate in any sports or exercise for a few weeks after the pain has stopped. Make sure you wear good athletic shoes. Your doctor also might suggest rehabilitation for serious injuries.

Prevention/Solution

• With all sports related injuries, the best treatment is prevention. This is especially true after a shin splint has healed. Make sure to stretch the muscle out completely several times a day. Place one leg back and press your heel into the floor while leaning slightly forward on the other leg.

Compartment Syndrome

• A very serious and potentially life threatening condition that mimics symptoms of shin splints is compartment syndrome. If you have repeated shin splints or an injury that will not heal, you must see a doctor. Compartment syndrome involves the loss of blood flow to your leg and can result in leg amputation or even death.