Shin Splints

Pain that occurs along the front or inside edge of the shinbone (tibia) is commonly called shin splints. You may also hear it referred to as Tibial Stress Syndrome. The problem is very common amongst those people who exercise on a regular basis since so much stress is placed on our legs. The reason for the tenderness is small tears in the leg muscles at their point of attachment to the shin which occur due to overuse. Shin splints in the front of the tibia are called Anterior shin splints. Posterior shin splints cause pain along the upper, inside two-thirds of the tibia.

Anterior Shin Splints is often caused by insufficient shock absorption while running on hard surfaces or by muscular imbalances that are a result of tight calf muscles or “toe running.” Any continuous tightness in the posterior (back) leg muscles places added strain on the opposing anterior (front) muscles. This happens when people who aren’t regular runners decide to go on a long jog.

Posterior Shin Splints is caused by excessive pronation (flattening of the arches) which then in turn causes an increased amount of rotation of the tibia bone in the leg. Both these foot and leg motions then put repeated stress on the muscles and cause the small tears that constitute this injury.

Shin splints may start with a mild ache in the shins even aching while you lay in bed. The pain generally gets worse with activity and eases with rest. Pain may be at its worst when you first get up after sleeping. Just know that if you keep running or exercising because the pain eases a little after you are warmed up and have been running for awhile you are making matters worse. Your pain may progress to become quite sharp and may focus down to a very small area of the tibia bone. If this happens, you may have a stress fracture developing due to the overuse a more serious problem.

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