What does it mean when you have shin splints?

Description. Shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome) is an inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue around your tibia. Pain typically occurs along the inner border of the tibia, where muscles attach to the bone.

What is the best medicine for shin splints?

If your pain is bad enough, taking over-the-counter painkillers along with icing the shins can help reduce pain while you heal. Conventional treatment usually consists of taking acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen or even Voltaren® Gel.

Who is at highest risk for shin splints?

Runners are at highest risk for developing shin splints. Dancers and military recruits are two other groups frequently diagnosed with the condition. Flat feet can increase stress on lower leg muscles during exercise. Symptoms The most common symptom of shin splints is pain along the border of the tibia. Mild swelling in the area may also occur.

When to see a doctor for shin splints?

If you have shin splints, you might notice tenderness, soreness or pain along the inner side of your shinbone and mild swelling in your lower leg. At first, the pain might stop when you stop exercising. Eventually, however, the pain can be continuous and might progress to a stress reaction or stress fracture. When to see a doctor.

How to choose the best insoles for shin splints?

Invest in a pair of insoles with: Proper Fit. Arch support only works if it fits your feet precisely. The best insoles for shin splints will match the contours of your feet, providing firm support across the length of your arch. Firm Support.

How do you treat shin splints with KT Tape?

Kinesiology therapeutic (KT) tape may help prevent and treat shin splints. KT tape may also help stabilize the muscle around the shin and improve blood flow. Using tape provides compression, which may help to boost circulation and reduce pain.

What can I do to avoid shin splints?

Avoid overdoing. Too much running or other high-impact activity performed for too long at too high an intensity can overload the shins. Choose the right shoes. If you’re a runner, replace your shoes about every 350 to 500 miles (560 to 800 kilometers).

Can you run on a treadmill with shin splints?

If you have access to one, running on a treadmill may be a safe option. Low-impact exercises such as swimming, pool running, or biking until your pain subsides may also help. Stretching out the calf muscle and surrounding muscles may help relieve shin splint pain.

Can You exercise with a shin splint?

Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort — but don’t give up all physical activity. While you’re healing, try low-impact exercises, such as swimming, bicycling or water running. Ice. Apply ice packs to the affected shin for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, four to eight times a day for several days.

How long does it take for shin splints to go away?

Once you start making changes, a reduction in pain might take three to six months, depending on how severe the damage is and how much you rest. If your pain is bad enough, taking over-the-counter painkillers along with icing the shins can help reduce pain while you heal.