Tackle Shin Splints with The Best Physiotherapy Solutions at ABTP

What is Shin Splint?

Shin splints—medically known as medial tibial stress syndrome—refer to pain along the inner edge of the shinbone (tibia), typically due to inflammation of tissue in the area.

Shin splints are observed to be more common in female athletes (55.3%) compared to male athletes (44.7%). They are particularly prevalent among marathon runners, with factors such as the duration of pain and the type of shoe surface playing a significant role.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

• Medial side of the tibia experiences more pain, also called bilateral soreness

• An increase in pain is witnessed during movement

• Sometimes, oedema is also observed with subcutaneous thickening on the tibial line

BIO MECHANICAL CAUSES OF SHIN SPLINTS

There are many bio mechanical factors that contribute to medial tibial stress syndrome and they are:

1. Overpronation (Excessive Inward Foot Roll):

When the foot rolls too far inward during activities like walking or running, it is known as overpronation. This places extra stress on the shin muscles — mainly the tibialis posterior and soleus — which can lead to injuries and pain. 

2. Muscle Imbalances and Tightness: 

   When there is tightness in the calf muscles (usually gastrocnemius and soleus) can again alter the foot biomechanics. The ankle movement is disrupted as well as the normal movement patterns such as running or walking also get effected. This puts stress on the tissues connected to the shin bone.

   
   

   This condition worsens up when the tibialis anterior and posterior work harder when the calf muscles are too weak. This further escalates the strain on the shin bone leading to worsening of the condition.

   
   

3. Excessive Knee Valgus (Knock Knees): In some individuals , it is observed that knees sometimes angle inwards, often known as – genu valgum. This changes the biomechanics of the leg and also alters the way the leg moves, putting pressure on the inward side of the shin. There is abnormal load distribution on the lower limb and this uneven stress makes the bone more prone to injury. Hence, leading to shin splint. 

   

4. Poor Shock Absorption and Biomechanical Strain: 

   Your foot structure can actually decide, how your leg handles stress. On one hand, the flat feet put more stress on the shin bone  and on the other hand, the foot arches reduce the ability of the foot to absorb impact. In both the cases, the leg won’t be able to absorb the impact properly, putting the shin bone on the risk of getting injured especially during activities like running or jumping.
   

5. Exacerbation Through Activity: Some activities like running on hard surfaces or suddenly increasing the training load or getting involved in activities that require a-lot of push-off triggers calf muscle fatigue and dysfunction. In such cases, the calf muscle is unable to control the heel strike & isn't able to carry ahead push-off phases. This abnormal biomechanics put greater strain on the shin area, which further increases the chances of shin splints.
   

   

   
   

6. Structural Asymmetries: Having uneven leg length or misaligned legs can cause uneven stress, leading to overuse and irritation of the shin.

   
   

GET THE BEST PHYSIOTHERAPY MANAGEMENT AT ABTP

Here at ABTP addressing postural deviation, muscular tightness , imbalances and various dysfunctions remain central to effective prevention and rehabilitation.

1.  Initial Phase: Rest and Symptom Control.

• PEACE AND LOVE Protocol: Protect, Elevate, Avoid anti inflammatory modalities , Compression, Educate, Load, Optimism, Vascularisation and Exercises.
  

• Manual Therapy: This includes soft tissue massage to ease tight calf muscle, relieve tension, and mobilize restricted areas.
  

• Education: Advising athlete on activity modification and avoidance of aggravating movements like running, jumping, or hard surface running.
  

2.  Active Rehabilitation: To Restore Function

• Progressive Loading: Gentle, pain-free range-of-motion and strengthening exercises for the foot, ankle, and hip like toe raises, heel walks, resistance band exercises and also to carry out low-impact activity such as swimming, cycling, or elliptical to maintain fitness while reducing tibial load
  

• Flexibility: Stretching of tight muscles such as calf, Achilles tendon, and plantar fascia in order absorb and dissipate impact forces equally.
  

• Biomechanical Corrections: Gait retraining, shock-absorbing insoles could cut the number of stress fractures in half. The positive treatment outcome should not be underestimated.
  

• Proprioceptive Training: Using wobble board or balance exercises on bosu ball to improve neuromuscular control.
  

3.  Return to Sport: For Gradual Progression

• Criteria-Based Progression: Pain-free walking, then progress to low-impact jogging
  

• Functional Drills: Incorporate sport-specific drills, plyometrics, and agility tasks as tolerated
  

• Education: Continue home exercise programme and gradual increase in training volume and intensity

• Prevention: Emphasize ongoing strengthening, flexibility, and proper footwear to prevent recurrence.