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Shin Splints

Shin splints, also referred to as tibial stress syndrome, occur commonly, particularly to runners and other athletes. Dull aches and pains that manifest at the front of the shin are indicative of shin splints, although the severity may vary from person to person.

Common causes of shin splints include:

• Overuse of the leg muscles
• Stress fractures of the lower leg bones
• Overpronation
• Sudden change in the intensity of a workout

If you notice pain in your shins that you believe to be shin splints, there are a number of treatment options that you can perform at home, such as:

• Icing the affected area
• Anti-inflammatory painkillers
• Orthotics for your shoes

While rare, the root cause of shin splints may sometimes require surgery. If your shin splints are quite severe and do not improve with self-treatment, your doctor can determine if further options are necessary.