Do I Have Shin Splints?

Do you experience a pain along the inner side of your shinbone?

Do you experience tenderness along the inner side of your shinbone?

Do you experience soreness along the inner side of your shinbone?

Is there a mild swelling in your lower leg along the inner side of your shinbone?

Based on your answers, you are displaying a sign related to shin splints. Shin splints is a term that refers to a pain along the tibia, the shinbone, which is the large bone in the front of your lower leg. Shin splints often occur in runners and other athletes. Usually it happens to athletes who have recently intensified their workout routines. Most of the time, shin splints can be treated with rest and ice. However, if the symptom does not go away, you may want to visit your doctor. To help prevent shin splints from happening again, you should wear proper footwear and modify your workout routine. In case you answered ‘no’ to all questions, it is unlikely that you have shin splints.

Based on your answers, you are displaying various signs related to shin splints. Shin splints occurs because of repetitive stress on the shinbone as well as the connective tissues that connect your muscles to the bone. Resting and icing are often enough to make shin splints disappear. Over-the-counter pain relievers may help to reduce the pain. However, if the pain remains, you may want to make an appointment with your doctor. He may want to do a physical exam, and in some cases an X-ray can help to identify other possible causes for your symptoms.

Unfortunately, you are displaying the symptoms typically seen among individuals who have shin splints. If you are an active person, you could get shin splints if you make sudden changes to your workouts such as adding intensity, training more frequently, or longer workouts. Shin splints often heal on their own with resting and icing. However, if the problem does not go away, you should see your doctor. He may want to watch you run to look for potential issues. He may also take an X-ray or bone scans to make sure there are no fractures. Besides, you may want to use insoles for your shoes and take anti-inflammatory painkillers in case you need them.