01/10/2024
It ain’t “Shin splints”🙅♀️
Shin splints are a label often given for shin pain, but this is NOT a diagnosis as several conditions can cause pain in this region. So here are some of the common causes:
Front of shin:
🤕Anterior exertional compartment syndrome
🤕Tibial stress fracture
Inside of shin:
🤕Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS)
🤕Tibial stress fracture
🤕Deep posterior exertional compartment syndrome
🤕Calf muscle strain (soleus or gastrocnemius)
Other: Nerve or Vascular involvement
It’s important to recognise that these disorders can co-exist. Concurrent injuries were found in 32% of individuals assessed with shin pain, meaning a runner could be dealing with multiple causes of shin pain simultaneously. (Winters 2017)
📚 Reference
Winters, M., et al. (2017). “Medial tibial stress syndrome can be diagnosed reliably using history and physical examination.” British Journal of Sports Medicine.
