Shin Splints

What are Shin Splints? How do I treat Shin Splints? How do I Prevent Shin Splints?

Your shins throb and ache after your daily run or just sprinting to catch the bus.

It could be shin splints. They can be caused by:

• Irritated and swollen muscles, often from overuse
• Stress fractures, which are tiny breaks in the lower leg bones
• Overpronation or ”flat feet” — when the impact of a step makes your foot’s arch collapse

Shin splints are very common. Runners might get them after ramping up their workout intensity or changing the surface they run on — like shifting from a dirt path to asphalt. Shin splints are also common in dancers.

7 Treatment Tips for Shin Splints

Shin splints often heal on their own. If you see a doctor, expect to get a thorough physical exam. Your doctor may want to see you run to look for problems. You may also need X-rays or bone scans to look for fractures.

1. Rest your body. It needs time to heal.
2. Ice your shin to ease pain and swelling. Do it for 20-30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for 2 to 3 days, or until the pain is gone.
3. Anti-inflammatory painkillers. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin, will help with pain and swelling. These drugs can have side effects, though, like a greater chance of bleeding and ulcers. They should be used only occasionally unless your doctor says otherwise.
4. Arch supports for your shoes. These orthotics — which can be custom-made or bought off the shelf — may help with flat feet.
5. Range-of-motion exercises, if your doctor recommends them.
6. Neoprene sleeve to support and warm your leg.
7. Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles in your shins.

Rare cases need surgery, such as if you have a severe stress fracture that caused your shin splints.

4 Signs Your Shin Splints Have Healed

Your shin splints are fully healed when:

1. Your injured leg is as flexible as your other leg.
2. Your injured leg feels as strong as your other leg.
3. You can jog, sprint, and jump without pain.
4. Your X-rays are normal or show any stress fractures have healed.

There’s no way to say exactly when your shin splints will go away. It depends on what’s causing them. People also heal at different rates; 3 to 6 months is not unusual.

The most important thing is not to rush back into your sport. If you start exercising before your shin splints have healed, you may hurt yourself permanently.

While you heal, you could take up a new no-impact activity that won’t aggravate your shin splints. For instance, if you run, try swimming.

How to Prevent Shin Splints

To prevent shin splints, you should:

• Always wear shoes with good support and padding.
• Warm-up before working out, making sure to stretch the muscles in your legs.
• Stop working out as soon as you feel pain in your shins.
• Don’t run or play on hard surfaces like concrete.

Courtesy of www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/shin-splints

Good Links:

The Ultimate Guide to Shin Splints for Runners

http://www.runnersworld.com/tag/shin-splints

http://www.active.com/running/articles/shin-splints-101-treatment-and-prevention-tips

http://www.chirunning.com/blog/entry/the-whole-story-on-shin-splints

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/leg_injuries/a/leg2.htm

https://www.google.com/#q=shin+splints+running&tbm=shop

*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
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