Shin Splints

The medical term for shin splints is known as medial tibial stress syndrome, usually occuring in active people and those with poor foot structure and biomechanics. Medial tibial stress syndrome occurs on the medial aspect or the inside of the of the lower leg or tibial bone. The pain is located in the posterior tibial muscle/tendon. This muscle starts below the knee and wraps around the ankle on the inside, attaching to the underside of the foot. This creates a ‘pulley’ action, which generates considerable force. If the lower limb is over-worked, or the foot is functioning incorrectly, the muscle becomes over-stretched. This pulling, at the point of connection, can create considerable pain. See over pronation

Treatment

Treatment for medial tibial stress syndrome or shin splints is most commonly treated with prescription orthoses and a range of palliative treatments involving icing and stretching. In most cases the main contributing factor for the development of shin splints is pronation of the foot or flattening of the arch. 

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