Yes. A podiatrist is trained to treat ankle, foot, and leg conditions, and this includes shin splints.
Also known as medial tibial stress syndrome, “shin splints” is the painful inflammation along the inner edge of the shin bone. This condition often develops in dancers, gymnasts, runners, and other athletes whose tendons, muscles, and bones in their shins have been overused and overstressed. According to the National Institute of Health, female athletes are more prone to shin splints than male athletes, and shin splints are also common in military personnel who go through intense training activities.
Our experienced podiatrist at Central Kansas Podiatry Associates, Dr. Benjamin Weaver, understands that when you’re diagnosed with a shin splint, the pain can sideline you for weeks. Here, he discusses the common causes of shin splints, symptoms, and how his podiatric team can help relieve your pain.
What Is a Shin Splint?
A shin splint is inflammation of the tendons, muscles, and tissue around your tibia or “shin bone” in the front area of your lower leg. This condition can develop when you participate in sports, perform a hard workout, or engage in any type of repetitive activity.
This common athletic injury usually occurs in the shin between the knee and ankle on either leg, and causes pain where the inflamed muscle meets a bone or tendon. Typically, the leg is tender to the touch, and you may feel a deep throbbing pain or a sharp stabbing sensation.
Shin Splints: Common Causes
Often, a shin splint will develop when you’ve overworked the leg muscle. Unlike a leg fracture that typically happens instantly, a shin splint develops over time from repetitive movements and stress and strain that your bones and muscles aren’t used to. But there are other possible causes of shin splints, including the following:
- If you suddenly increase the intensity or amount of exercise
- If you run or exercise on hard or uneven surfaces
- If you perform high-impact activities, such as jumping, running, or sports with sudden stops and starts
- If you perform exercises or activities with repetitive movement and/or repeated impact
- If you wear shoes that don’t properly support your feet
- If you have flat feet, extreme foot pronation, or a difference in the length of your legs
- If you run with improper form
Young athletes are often at a greater risk of shin splints because they may try to improve their stamina by increasing the difficulty level of their exercise routine. However, shin splints can be a problem for anyone who’s just beginning an exercise routine and overdoes it.
How a Podiatrist Can Help With Your Shin Splints
When you see Dr. Weaver for pain in your shins, he will examine your legs, review your symptoms, and discuss your activity history. He may ask you if you’ve made recent changes to your exercise routine, the type of footwear you use, the location of your pain, and the type of pain you have. To ensure that your pain isn’t being caused by a stress fracture or some other leg condition, he may order an X-ray, MRI, or a CT scan.
Additionally, Dr. Weaver may recommend any of the following:
- Using an icepack on the area for 15 – 20 minutes, several times a day
- Stretching exercises for the calves and lower legs
- Modifying your exercise routine
- Wearing footwear that supports your legs – this could include shock-absorbing insoles or orthotics that help relieve stress on the shins and help correct any foot mechanics
- Using over-the-counter pain relief medicines or anti-inflammatory medications to help reduce inflammation
If your shin splints continue to give you problems, there are other treatments that might help, including the following:
- Shockwave therapy. Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment for shin splints that uses high-energy sound waves to promote healing by increasing blood flow, stimulating tissue regeneration, and breaking down scar tissue.
- Remy laser therapy. This therapy can be used for shin splints by reducing pain and inflammation, accelerating tissue repair, and promoting healing.
Central Kansas Podiatry Associates for Your Shin Splints
If you think you have shin splints, work with Dr. Weaver at Central Kansas Podiatry Associates to get a proper diagnosis and a customized treatment plan based on your symptoms and severity of pain. Not only with he help you understand how and why your shin splints developed, he’ll talk to you about preventing them in the future. Read our testimonials to learn how we’ve helped other patients with their shin splints.