Treatment for Shin Splints in New Jersey

he professionals at Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics (CNSO) conservatively treat all musculoskeletal conditions through education, stretching, massaging, strengthening, and physical training techniques.

Commonly, an athlete or individual seeking to improve their physical conditioning will exert themselves and develop pain in the front of their shin when running. This pain can develop into a condition called shin splints. The medical term for this condition is medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS). Frequently, individuals who haven’t run in several months and resume training again with excessive intensity can experience this overuse injury.

What Are Shin Splints?

Shin splints are overuse injuries that cause pain along the inner edge of the shinbone (tibia) due to inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue. This condition is common among runners, soccer players, dancers, and military recruits. The pain typically occurs while running and can significantly impact performance. Left untreated, this condition will likely return and can cause severe tenderness, pain, and limitations with everyday activities.

What Causes Shin Splints?

Shin splints are caused by repetitive stress on the shinbone and the connective tissues that attach muscles to bone. Several factors could contribute to developing shin splints:

Overuse:Adequate rest is crucial when engaging in high-impact activities such as running or jumping. Repeated impact causes microtrauma to the area. Without proper guidance on rest and training intervals, one could find oneself in an endless loop of a non-healing condition like shin splits.
Improper footwear: Proper foot support is a major link in the chain when it comes to a strong lower extremity. Without it, increased stress on the shin bone is likely as the foot is the foundation of the body.
Arch abnormalities:High or low arches (flat feet) place individuals at a higher risk of developing shin splints. Extreme arch shapes can cause imbalance during physical activity that leads to an unequal distribution of force throughout the foot, which radiates upward toward the shins.
Muscular limitations: Tight or weak muscles throughout the leg can alter the biomechanics and gait, causing a wide range of aches and pain, including shin splints.
Sudden increase in activity level:The body needs time to adapt, especially in older individuals. Overtraining is common in those who have an athletic background, who sometimes jump back into a training routine without a gradual escalation of duration and frequency.

Preventing Shin Splints

Preventing shin splints requires addressing the key risk factors and developing strategies to minimize stress on the shin bone.

Gradual progression: Gradually increasing the volume, intensity, and duration of physical activity allows the body to slowly adapt. This reduces the risk of inflammation and overuse injuries.
Proper footwear: Wearing individual-specific shoes that provide the proper support and cushioning will dramatically decrease the likelihood of overuse injuries.
Strengthening exercises: There are approximately 43 different muscles that act on the leg, facilitating a complex system necessary to run, jump, or perform other dynamic, high-impact movements. With appropriate and adequate techniques to strengthen specific muscles, one can prevent the onset of shin splints.
Stretching: Consistent stretching of the leg muscles can help maintain a balanced system and adequate flexibility to allow muscles and tendons to handle the stresses they endure during physical activity.
Proper running technique: Individuals often feel they are running in a natural gait, but often use improper technique. Shin splints may develop due to this improper running technique. A trained physical therapist can assess a patient’s running form and offer advice to reduce the risk of shin splints.
Cross training: Incorporating other low-impact activities such as swimming or cycling into a training program can help reduce repetitive stress on the shinbone.