Shin Splints

Do you feel pain or tenderness along the front or inside of your shin when running or

walking? You could be dealing with shin splints – a common overuse injury especially in

runners, dancers, field sport athletes and those involved in high impact sports.

Shin splints, medically known as medial tibial stress syndrome, usually happens when

the tissues around the shin bone become irritated from overloading the lower leg

muscles and tendons. It can be caused by sudden increase in training distance, speed

or intensity, running on certain surfaces, poor or worn-out footwear, muscle imbalances

and/or altered foot biomechanics.

Physiotherapy plays an important role in the management and treatment of shin splints.

At Dalton Physiotherapy we will assess your movements, footwear, training loads, and

biomechanics to identify the cause of your shin pain. With the help and advice from your

physiotherapist there are many treatment options available, which may include:

- Activity modification to allow symptoms to settle

- Manual therapy to improve mobility and relieve muscle tension

- Targeted stretching and strengthening to improve function of the calf and

surrounds muscles

- Footwear and biomechanic assessment and advice if poor mechanics are

contributing to the problem

- Structured return to running /sport plan to help you build up gradually and

prevent reoccurrence

Shin splints can be a painful setback for runners and athletes, but with the right rehab

and load management, you can get back to training pain-free and reduce the risk of shin

splints reoccurring. To book an appointment to see a physiotherapist about your shin

pain book online at www.daltonphysio.ie or call us on 01-9081101 and we’d be happy to

help.