{"id":4147,"date":"2019-02-20T08:53:16","date_gmt":"2019-02-20T08:53:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=4147"},"modified":"2021-05-27T15:54:28","modified_gmt":"2021-05-27T15:54:28","slug":"15-symptoms-of-shin-splints","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/15-symptoms-of-shin-splints\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Symptoms of Shin Splints"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Chances are good that at some point in your life you have heard the term shin splints. This term refers to pain that occurs along the tibia or shin bone. This is the large bone located near the front part of the lower leg. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shin splints are quite common in military recruits, runners, and dancers. Medial tibial stress syndrome is the medical term for this issue that involves the shin bone. Athletes who have changed or intensified their training routine will often experience shin splints. The increase in activity will overwork the bone tissue, tendons, and muscles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of the time shin splints can easily be treated with ice and rest as well as other measures of self-care. Making sure that you wear proper footwear and modifying your workouts can also help to prevent shin splints. Here are some of the symptoms one might experience with shin splints. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Dull Ache<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A person that has developed shin splints may experience a dull ache. This ache will be in the lower leg in the front part. This is the shin bone and when there is a dull ache in this area it is often related to shin splints<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience this dull ache in the front part of your legs and it will not go away, it is likely caused by overexertion of this area of the leg. If the ache will not go away you will want to ice the area and make sure to rest it. However, if the pain is persistent you may want to see your doctor in order to determine what is causing the issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it could be as simple as shin splints, it also may be related to something else. Generally, the dull ache that is caused by shin splints will go away with some proper rest and by icing it regularly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Pain During Exercise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common causes of shin splints is exercise<\/a>. The reason for this is because exercise puts an extra strain on this area of the leg. Exercises such as dancing or running use this area of the leg a lot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are overexerting the muscles and bones in the lower part of the leg it can become inflamed. This inflammation is what causes a person to feel pain in the lower area of the leg. This pain may run up the entire leg as well. However, if it is shin splints, the pain will most often be isolated to the lower front part of the leg. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you develop pain in this area when you are exercising you should stop what you are doing. Icing the area and resting are the best treatment for this pain. If the pain is persistent and you can no longer perform the way that you want, see a doctor for further treatment options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Shin Bone Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shin splints cause a person to experience pain in the leg. This pain could be in the front part of the leg or it may develop on one or the other side of the shin bone. This pain is caused by the shinbone and the muscles <\/a>that surround the shinbone become inflamed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inflammation puts extra pressure on the area and causes a person to experience pain. If you notice that you are suffering from pain that is located on either side of your shin bone, it could be caused by shin splints. Resting is the most important thing that you can do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure that you take care of your shins when you are exercising. Take time outs from your workout routine whenever possible. Giving the area time to heal is the best thing possible for getting rid of shin splints. Ask a doctor if the shin splints and pain are persistent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Muscle Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to shin splints most people associate this ailment with pain in the bone<\/a>, specifically pain in the tibia which is also referred to as the shin bone. As shin splints affect this bone, it is not unreasonable to believe this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, shin splints can also cause a person to experience muscle pain. The muscles of the legs can become inflamed when there is damage to the shin bone. This can cause a person to experience aches and pains that are in the muscles of the legs. Typically, this muscle pain will be in the lower area of the leg. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, a person who is suffering from shin splints may develop muscle pain all throughout the leg. Shin splints can cause a person to have difficulty walking without experiencing pain. The pain will radiate from the shin bone, but can affect all parts of the legs. This includes the muscles of the legs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Tenderness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shin splints can cause soreness or tenderness<\/a> along the inner area of the lower leg. This tenderness makes it difficult to touch the area as even a minor bump to that area may cause a person to experience an extreme amount of pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have recently gone through a hard workout and notice that your lower legs are now quite tender, it could be because you have developed shin splints. An injury to the shin caused by a fall or something else can also cause a person to experience tenderness and soreness in the area located on the inner part of the leg. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once again it is important to make sure to rest if you are experiencing this type of pain. Resting the area is the best way to give your body time to heal the area that has been injured. Icing the area can also help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. Swelling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shin splints do not typically cause a person to experience swelling. If there is any type of swelling <\/a>caused by shin splints it will typically be quite mild. It is important to note that swelling may occur with shin splints and it is definitely a symptom that you should watch out for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice the area of your lower leg has become swollen and is sore to the touch, there is a chance that you have developed shin splints. If the swelling becomes severe it is a good idea to go to your doctor as soon as possible. Swelling is a sign that something is not right in the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shin splints may be the cause of this, but it could also be the sign of something else. A doctor will be able to properly identify the issue and provide you with the proper treatment for what is causing the issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Weakness or Numbness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While the pain of shin splints is typically isolated to the lower area of the leg, this ailment may also cause a person to experience pain in other areas as well. In addition to pain, a person may find that their feet feel weak or become numb. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may be difficult to put pressure on your feet as they feel weak when you do. Your feet may also become numb. A tingling sensation<\/a> in the feet is also common for those who are suffering from shin splints. If you have any of the symptoms on this list and you are also experiencing your feet becoming weak or numb, chances are that you have developed shin splints. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should make sure that you get appropriate rest and try to not overdo it during your workouts. Treating the shin splints properly should also help ease the symptom of pain, weakness, or numbness that has developed in the feet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. When to See a Doctor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While shin splints are a common ailment and usually will respond to simple treatment involving ice and resting, there are times when they can develop into further health problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are experiencing a severe amount of pain in the tibia after you have been in an accident or fallen, it is a good idea to have it checked out by a doctor. If your shin feels warm or is visibly swollen, a doctor needs to check it out to ensure that there is not an infection or something else wrong. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shin pain should go away when you are resting. If the pain does not go away even when you are not putting pressure <\/a>on the area, make an appointment with your doctor to determine the underlying cause and to find a treatment for the issue as it could be caused by something other than shin splints. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. Muscle Imbalance
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re trying to identify whether or not you may have shin splints, then you should look for both symptoms and potential causes. Muscle imbalance<\/a> is interesting because it can be both a symptom and a cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muscle imbalance can occur as a result of shin splints as the body attempts to compensate. Compensatory movement patterns describe those changes in gait and movement that occur as a result of attempting to maintain normal movement despite one area being tender or losing strength. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this case, pain in the shin may cause you to place less stress on the front of the foot, which might in turn cause you to place more weight backward. That, in turn, could lead to less developed quadriceps and an unusual stride pattern. You might likewise use more of a heel strike when walking or running. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, you may find yourself placing more weight on one foot, which can eventually cause a slight imbalance to one side of the body and potentially even a slight scoliosis: a lateral curvature of the spine (scoliosis is diagnosed as such when the curve shows a greater than 10% deviation from the norm).
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. Weight Gain
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One thing that is likely to happen when you have a shin splint, is that you can become less physically active. That means that you are more likely to see weight gain and general reduction in physical fitness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, you might not think of this as a symptom so much as a repercussion \u2013 you would be consciously aware if you should begin to reduce your physical activity. Right? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, though, the truth is that in many cases, this symptom can occur without the patient necessarily being aware. What happens here is that they make small changes in their behavior throughout the day: getting up less, taking the elevator instead of the lift, moving slightly more slowly, which can lead to an increase in weight that might not be easy to immediately explain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Along with the potential for conditions like scoliosis<\/a>, this should draw attention to how the body acts as a single unit, and how you should treat it as such. If you have something relatively commonplace like a shin splint, this can be enough to lead to unusual spinal posture, weight gain, and loss of fitness. Likewise, something as simple as poor ankle mobility may be what\u2019s leading to the problem in the first place.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

11. Pain When Squatting
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pain when squatting is a relatively common symptom of shin splints, but one that often goes overlooked. The association with running here is so great, that it is easy to forget that many other sports also place a load and\/or impact on the shin. Bodybuilding and weight lifting<\/a> are two examples that include moving large amounts of weight while being grounded on the feet. The pressure, therefore, is applied through the shins and feet. This can not only cause shin splints, but may also exacerbate them when you perform the movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The issue here very often is poor ankle mobility. The inability to perform proper dorsiflexion may cause center of gravity to shift backward, thereby placing the load incorrectly on the legs. You can test your own ankle mobility by placing your foot in front of a wall and then bending the knee forward to touch it. Measure the distance that you can perform this movement. Anything above 10cm is considered normal.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

12. Flat Feet
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Flat feet are again a cause of shin splints, though they can be useful to look out for when trying to figure out precisely what\u2019s going on. Flat feet are feet where the arches have collapsed, and this then causes more of the foot to touch the floor. That, in turn, can once again force you to land incorrectly when running, thereby increasing your likelihood of developing shin splints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you think that this may be the issue, then a number of things can help you to overcome the pain <\/a>\u2013 including correct orthotics.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

13. Bruising
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While we usually associate shin splints with medial tibial stress syndrome, the reality is that it is more of an umbrella term that describes a number of different conditions. Among these are compartment syndrome and tibial stress fracture. That\u2019s right: a common cause for shin splints or similar discomfort is that the bone is simply fractured. This can cause the exact same kind of pain. This is usually a stress fracture<\/a>, which often occurs due to the repeated load and impact that the leg has to bear \u2013 and is more common in overweight individuals.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

14. Poor Lateral Movement
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another reason for shin splints is that you have a weak gluteus medius \u2013 a muscle <\/a>that aids with normal movement of the legs and specifically hip abduction. This allows you to rotate your thigh and move your leg outward, and it is very important for walking and moving normally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you try raising your leg out to the side, you might notice that the side experiencing the shin splints is less mobile than the \u2018healthy\u2019 side. This is a clear sign that you may have reduced mobility in that area.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

15. Risk Factors
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The most common risk factor<\/a> for shin splints by far is running. Millions of runners are injured every year: as many as 30-70% in fact. And what\u2019s shocking is that 35% of these injuries are a form of shin splints! Any impact sport though, or weight-bearing sport, can increase your likelihood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walking too can cause shin splints, as can simply standing on the feet. This means that if you work in a store or shop floor, you may be at higher risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other risk factors include obesity: if you are very overweight then you will be carrying a greater load and will be more likely to cause stress to the bones and muscles in the shin. Flat feet and pronation are also commonly associated with splints.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

<\/div>