The medical community is a great champion of engaging in regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. However, it’s difficult to exercise when one becomes sidelined by an injury. Shin splints happen to be particularly painful, and without treatment, can sideline the most dedicated exercise enthusiast. VCOM shares what shin splints are and treatment for shin splints below:
Defining Shin Splints
Shin splints are a painful condition characterized by pain felt in the front of the lower leg (the shins), extending from just below the knee to just above the ankle. There is a range of issues that can cause a person to experience a case of shin splints, including
- Issues with foot structure.
- Poorly-fitting shoes.
- Core muscle weakness.
- Repetitive activities (e.g., running) that place stress on the shinbone.
- An abrupt increase in activity level (e.g., intensity, duration, type).
Treatment For Shin Splints
A Minor Case — If the cause of a person’s shin splints is related to exercise or poorly-fitting footwear, a person can self-treat their shin splints. They’ll need to temporarily abstain from intense exercise, use the RICE method of treatment (rest, ice, compression, elevation), and take some over-the-counter pain medication. Before they begin exercising again, they’ll want to invest in some good-quality footwear.
Persistent Problems — Some people will continue to experience persistent problems with shin splints. In these cases, further exploration will be needed to determine what is causing their shin splints to keep reoccurring. They may be referred to a D.O. who specializes in the treatment of soft tissue injuries.
This type of doctor may recommend a variety of options for treatment for shin splints, including stretching, mobilization, and manipulation of soft tissues in the lower leg and foot areas. This can help speed healing by increasing blood flow to the area and relaxing nearby overworked muscles.
A Last Resort — If a person has tried every conservative method to resolve their pain without success, they may be referred to an orthopedic surgeon.
The surgeon may perform a procedure to remove a thin strip of tissue covering the shinbone that may be causing persistent inflammation (periostitis). If a person’s shin splints result from damage to fascia tissue, a surgeon may perform a fasciotomy. This procedure involves making strategic cuts into the thin fascia tissue surrounding the calf muscles in order to relieve pressure from chronic swelling. This treatment for shin splints is no the first step, and only is recommended after trying all other options.
VCOM Sports & Osteopathic Medicine is here to help with treatment for shin splints. Contact us on our website or call (540) 232-8405 to schedule an appointment today.
