Shin splints

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Lower leg muscles

Shin splints

Shin splints refers to pain in the front of the lower legs. The pain is located along the inside edge of the tibia, the large bone in the lower part of the leg.

Pain most often occurs during or right after a change in activity level, such as running more often or increasing the number of miles.

Although the term shin splints is often used, it is not a defined medical diagnosis.

Lower leg pain; Pain - shins; Anterior tibial pain; Medial tibial stress syndrome; MTSS; Exercise-induced leg pain; Tibial periostitis; Posterior tibial shin splints

Tibial shin splints are very common. They can affect both recreational and trained athletes.

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The pain of shin splints is caused by swelling or inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and the thin layer of tissue that covers the shin bone.

The common cause is overuse from too much activity or training, and then not enough time to allow the tissues to heal or recover.

Often a sudden change in activity may be the cause, such as:

• Aerobic dancing
• Military training
• Running more often, longer distances, or up hills

Flat feet or a very rigid arch may place more stress on the lower leg and also cause shin splints.

Other causes of pain in the shin bone:

• Chronic anterior compartment syndrome affects the outer side of the front of the leg. It can cause numbness and clumsiness of the foot while exercising.
• Stress fractures usually cause sharp pain and tenderness 1 or 2 inches below the knee.

Review Date: 07/28/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).