What is shin splints?
Shin splints is the pain runners commonly feel in the front of their lower leg when running. To osteopaths, the correct term is medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS). MTSS refers to 'stress' on the tibia 'shin' bone from the muscular attachment to the bone. This is generally a combination of tendonitis (tendon inflammation), periostitis (bone inflammation) and periosteal remodelling (bone remodelling). It is an overuse injury or receptive stress injury. The cause of MTSS is generally multi-factorial relating to running technique and biomechanics factors.
Causes:
- Foot over pronation, meaning the foot excessively rolling inwards
- Worn or ill-fitting shoes
- Not stretching enough or properly
- Flat feet/Pes plannus
- Weak muscles
- Sudden change in exercise (frequency, duration, type of exercise etc)
Symptoms:
- Pain can worse during or after exercise
- Sharp or razor like pain in the lower leg
- Pain with pressing into the front of the lower leg
- Pain in generally worse at the beginning of exercise and lessens during the run or once exercise is finished.
Self management:
- Rest
- Stop running temporarily to allow the pain & inflammation to decrease & recover
- Ice
- Stretching
- Foam rolling the legs
- Buy new running shoes, correctly fitted
Osteopathy & Shin Splints/MTSS
A comprehensive case history is required to assess exercise type, duration, mileage, intensity and footwear. This is due to its direct relation to the cause of MTSS. Also any changes needed to be noted, as sudden increases in frequency, duration, intensity or running on a hard surface can be a main cause in MTSS. An osteopathic physical assessment is aimed at identifying any mechanical causes that place added 'stress' on the lower limb e.g. flat feet arches, foot pronation, leg length discrepancies, hip/pelvis rotations, muscle imbalances and so on. Lifestyle advice is tailored to the individual patients needs that may include: new shoes, running on a softer surface, rest, strengthening exercises, stretching, ice, tapping.