Shin pain is common in runners and people involved in impact-based sports, particularly when training loads or activity levels change. While “shin splints” is often used to describe pain along the shin, there can be different factors contributing to these symptoms. We assess your symptoms, movement and training demands before developing an individualised management plan based on your needs and goals.
Shin splints, also known as medial tibial stress syndrome, commonly cause pain along the inner border of the shin. Symptoms are often associated with repetitive loading of the lower leg during activities such as running and impact-based sport.
Changes in training can play a role, including increases in running distance or intensity, returning to sport after time away, or changes in training surface or activity. Strength, movement and individual training demands may also be relevant.
Not all shin pain is shin splints. Other conditions, including bone stress injuries, can cause pain in this area, which is why persistent or worsening shin pain should be appropriately assessed.
Shin pain can have a number of different causes, so an assessment can help determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and guide an appropriate management plan.
Your care starts with understanding you, your symptoms and the factors that may be contributing to them. From there, we develop an individualised management plan based on your assessment, training demands and goals.
We consider your training history, running volume, strength, movement and footwear, alongside other factors that may be relevant to your symptoms.
Depending on your presentation, management may include modifying training loads, hands-on treatment and strategies to help you remain active where appropriate.
Strength and exercise rehabilitation may be incorporated into your plan, with progression based on your assessment, symptoms and training demands.
Where appropriate, we develop a gradual return-to-running or sport plan based on your symptoms, activity demands and individual goals.
Shin splints treatment at Living Health Group starts with understanding the shin splints causes that apply to you: training load, footwear, calf strength and running mechanics. Our osteopaths commonly manage running injuries and work with local football, netball and basketball players.
Strength testing, rehabilitation and a graded return to running at our Wheelers Hill clinic, near Glen Waverley.
Book an appointment at our Wheelers Hill clinic, near Glen Waverley. We’ll take the time to understand your concerns, assess what may be contributing to your symptoms and tailor your care to your individual needs and goals.
