If running is part of your workout routine, you are likely aware of common injuries like shin splints. You should also know about care options and when to seek shin splints treatment.
Athletes that increase their physical activity quickly are prone to shin splints. The common cause of shin splints is an increase in stress on the tibia, often referred to as the shin. Additional time, impact, and increased weight-bearing exercises are commonly associated with shin splints. Shin splints are often considered a running injury. However, shin splints are a common sports injury for any high-impact athlete, like gymnasts, dancers, basketball players, tennis players, and track and field athletes.
The pain from shin splints occurs when the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue around your tibia – your shin – become inflamed. Shin splints are usually identified as pain occurring in the general area of the lower leg. The pain is not typically pinpointed to a single, sensitive spot. The pain from shin splints is usually tolerable and may vary throughout different types of exercise or the duration of a workout. Shin splints treatment usually includes modifying workout routines with low-impact exercises to help reduce the pain of shin splints and allow the bones to heal naturally.
Persistent pain may indicate a more serious injury than shin splints. If you experience more localized pain or pain that continues to intensify over time, you may have a stress fracture along your tibia. Stress fractures will continue to cause problems if not diagnosed and allowed to heal correctly.
If resting doesn’t help your pain, shin splints treatment can be assessed and helped at Ortho OIC. At Ortho OIC we specialize in orthopedic injuries. We happily see walk-in patients, use the online booking feature or call the office to schedule today.