What is Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome, aka Shin Splints?
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome or shin splints is an overuse injury characterized by pain or tenderness on the inner side of the shin bone (tibia) closer to the ankle. This pain is caused by repetitive stress from the muscles/connective tissues surrounding the shin bone (tibia), leading to inflammation around the bone. This is one of the most frequent injuries occurring in runners with a rate of 13.2-17.3%.
What potential factors can put you at risk of developing Shin Splints?
Improper running/training plan
Compensatory running mechanics during the stance/swing phase such as increased pelvic drop, knee valgus, internal rotation of the hips, and subtalar joint pronation
Muscle weakness and/or joint mobility limitations
How can we reduce the risk of Shin Splints and get back to running?
A running analysis can show specific compensatory running mechanics that can put you at risk for injury
A physical performance assessment can help identify areas where muscle weakness and mobility limitations can affect how your body distributes load during running
Lopes, A.D.; Hespanhol Junior, L.C.; Yeung, S.S.; Costa, L.O.P.; Hespanhol Junior, L.C.; Yeung, S.S.; Costa, L.O.P. What are the main running-related musculoskeletal injuries? A Systematic Review. Sports Med. 2012, 42, 891–905.
Menéndez C, Batalla L, Prieto A, Rodríguez MÁ, Crespo I, Olmedillas H. Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome in Novice and Recreational Runners: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Oct 13;17(20):7457. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17207457. PMID: 33066291; PMCID: PMC7602098.
