What is shin splints?

Shin splints cause pain in the shin, the front part of the lower leg. They can also cause swelling. The pain is most likely from repeated stress on the shinbone (tibia) and the tissue that connects the muscle to the tibia.

Shin splints are common in people who run or jog. Activities where you run or jump on hard surfaces, such as basketball or tennis, can also lead to shin splints. They can also be caused by training too hard or running in shoes that are worn out.

You may feel pain on the front lower part of your leg. There may also be some swelling. When you first notice the pain, it may be at the start of your activity and feel like a dull ache or soreness. In severe cases, the pain can continue after you finish being active.

Rest from high-impact activities is often the recommended treatment. You may also use ice packs, warm soaks, protective wraps, and anti-inflammatory medicines. Sometimes physical therapy can be helpful.

There are things you can do to help prevent shin splints.

• Start slowly when you try a new activity. For example, if you are new to running, increase the distance and pace of your run over several weeks.
• Wear shoes that fit your foot right. And don't work out in shoes that are worn out.
• If you have flat feet, you may try a shoe insert to give you more support and cushion the impact of exercising on hard surfaces.
• If you are a runner, try cross-training with a low-impact sport, such as swimming or cycling.

Your doctor will be able to tell if you have shin splints by talking to you about your symptoms and examining you. The doctor may do an X-ray to rule out other conditions, such as a stress fracture.

Rest is one of the best ways to care for yourself when you have shin splints. Prop up your leg and add ice to help reduce pain and swelling. Stretching your calf muscle may help. When you are active, choose lower-impact activities that don't cause pain.

Most people get shin splints from repeated pounding on hard surfaces during activities such as running, basketball, or tennis. You can also get them when you:

• Change to new running or workout shoes or wear shoes that don't have enough support. This can happen when you wear your shoes too long and they wear out.
• Run or walk on a different surface than you are used to. For example, you might get shin splints when you switch from running on a trail to concrete or asphalt.
• Work out harder than usual or train too hard or too fast instead of working up to a training level gradually.

Some people have flat arches in their feet, which can make the feet roll inward when running. This may also lead to shin splints.

Shin splints are a condition that causes pain and sometimes swelling in the front part of the lower leg (shin). The pain is most likely from repeated stress on the shinbone (tibia) and the tissue that connects the muscle to the tibia.