How to identify shin splints

Exercise is one of the ways to improve your physical wellbeing and it aids in great measure to get rid of ailments, aches and pains. Follow the exercise programme provided by the biokineticists at Anine van der Westhuizen Biokineticist in George and feel the difference. This week biokineticist Megan van Huyssteen continues the series on lower leg injuries.

The next injury I will be discussing is Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS) - more commonly known as shin splints.

Shin splints result when muscles, tendons and bone tissue become overworked. Shin splints often occur after sudden changes in physical activity. These can be changes in frequency, such as increasing the number of days you exercise each week, or changes in duration and intensity, such as running longer distances or on hills. Too much running or excessive training with poor or inadequate recovery and different training surfaces can also cause shin splints. Generally, the harder the running surface the greater the energy of force on the tibia (shinbone).

Other factors that contribute to shin splints include:

Having flat feet or abnormally rigid arches;

Exercising with improper or worn-out footwear;

Runners are at highest risk for developing shin splints.

Symptoms:

Pain begins, but then disappears as the training continues. The pain will often return after training or the next morning. As the injury progresses, the person will experience more time with pain and less time pain free.

Tenderness over the inside or outside of the tibia (shin bone);

Occasionally swelling on the inside of the shin bone;

'Lumps and bumps' over the shin bones and muscles;

Pain when your toes or foot are bent downwards (pointed feet);

Sharp and razor-like or dull and throbbing pain;

Occurs both during and after exercise;

The pain is aggravated when the sore spot is touched.

Some injuries can be confused with shin splints:

Stress Fracture: Stress fracture is a small crack(s) in the tibia caused by stress and overuse.

Tendonitis: Tendons attach muscles to bones. Tendonitis occurs when tendons become inflamed. This can be painful like shin splints, especially if there is a partial tear of the involved tendon.

Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome: Compartment syndrome is a painful condition that occurs when pressure within the muscles builds up.

In chronic exertional compartment syndrome, this is brought on by exercise.

Pain usually resolves soon after the activity stops.