Shin Splints (aka Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome)
Symptoms
Pain along inside or outer border (or both) of shin bone (tibia)
Pain can be felt either before, during and/or after training
Affected area is usually tender to touch
Causes
The exact cause of shin splints is unknown but it is thought that
1) Muscles that attach to the shin bone (tibia) pull on the bone from excessive loading/stress which causes irritation/inflammation at the site of the muscles pulling on the bone.
or
2) It is a stress reaction which precedes a stress fracture
Shins splints can be classified as an overuse type of injury
Contributing Factors
- Flat feet
- The muscles that help maintain the arches of the feet attach to the shin bone (tibia) and those with flat feet are more prone to those muscles pulling at the shin bone.
- The muscles that help maintain the arches of the feet attach to the shin bone (tibia) and those with flat feet are more prone to those muscles pulling at the shin bone.
- Muscle imbalances
- Tight calf muscles are commonly associated with shin splints as the calf muscles have attachments to the shin bone (tibia)
- Weak calf muscles are also prone to fatigue which alters running mechanics and places additional strain on the shin bone (tibia)
- Incorrect training technique
- Training at intense levels or overtraining or training too fast too soon can lead to strain in muscles and injury to tendons, ligaments, bones and joints.
- Training at intense levels or overtraining or training too fast too soon can lead to strain in muscles and injury to tendons, ligaments, bones and joints.
- High impact activities
- Running on hard and or uneven surfaces
- Long distance running
- Repetitive jumping, leaping/bounding
- Running shoes
- Wearing the wrong type of shoe
- Wearing shoes that are too tight
Treatment
- RICE - Rest Ice Compression Elevation
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Address biomechanical abnormalities, muscle imbalances and muscle weakness
- Orthotics
- Strapping or taping to support arches of feet
- Stretching and strengthening regime as advised by your physiotherapist
- Wearing correct type of shoes and turning over shoes regularly if you run long distances
- Acupuncture
- Changing training technique
- Training volume, intensity running every other day, cross-training with bike-riding or swimming, running on grass etc
Contact your Physio today reception@gmphysio.com.au
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Sat - 7am to 1pm
Spring Newsletter
11 October 2011
Spring is finally here and there are a few changes at GM Physiotherapy. We would like to take this opportunity to update our friends and... Read More »
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27 July 2011
Winter is with us and there are a few changes at GM Physiotherapy. We would like to take this opportunity to update our friends and colleagues... Read More »
