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Shin splints

• Overview
• Treatment

Definition:

Shin splints are pains in the front of the lower legs caused by exercise. They usually appear after a period of relative inactivity.

Alternative Names:

Lower leg pain; Pain - shins; Anterior tibia pain

Considerations:

Shin splints can be caused by any of four types of problems, which are only occasionally serious. Most shin splints can be treated with rest.

Common Causes:

Tibial shin splints are very common and affect both recreational and trained athletes. Runners are often affected. There are two types, tibial periostitis and posterior tibial shin splints. In tibial periostitis the bone itself is tender.

Anterior compartment syndrome affects the outer side of the front of the leg.

Stress fractures usually produce localized, sharp pain with tenderness 1 or 2 inches below the knee. A stress fracture is likely to occur 2 or 3 weeks into a new training program or after beginning a harder training program.

• Review Date: 11/2/2006
• Reviewed By: Thomas N. Joseph, MD, Private Practice specializing in Orthopaedics, subspecialty Foot and Ankle, Camden Bone & Joint, Camden, SC. Reviewprovided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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