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Shin splints Lower leg muscles
Overview Treatment
Shin splints
Alternative Names: Lower leg pain; Pain - shins; Anterior tibia pain Home Care: For posterior tibial and tibial periostitis shin splints, the healing process usually takes a week of rest with ice treatment for 20 minutes twice a day. Over-the-counter pain medications will also help. Do not resume running for another 2-4 weeks. Text Continues Below For anterior compartment syndrome, pain will usually subside as the muscles gradually accustom themselves to the vigorous exercise. Complete rest is probably not necessary. For a stress fracture, rest for at least 1 month is required. Complete healing requires 4-6 weeks. Crutches can be used but typically are not necessary. Call your health care provider if: Although shin splints are seldom serious, you may need to call your health care provider: If the pain is prolonged and persistent, even with rest If you are not sure your pain is caused by shin splints If there is no progress with home treatment after several weeks What to expect at your health care provider's office: The health care provider will perform a physical examination and will obtain your medical history. Medical history questions documenting your symptom in detail may include the following: Time pattern When did the pain develop? Is it present all of the time? Quality Describe the pain. Is it a sharp pain? Location Are both legs affected? Where exactly on the leg is the pain? Aggravating factors Have you recently begun exercising? Have you recently increased the amount that you exercise? Have you recently changed the type of exercise that you do? Relieving factors What have you done for the pain? How well did it work? Other: What other symptoms are also present? Page:  1 | 2 | Next >>