The term
“shin splints” usually refers to pain along the
inside-front part of the lower leg. This pain is
also referred to medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS).
MTSS is
most often experienced by people that begin
jogging. MTSS is usually caused by an imbalance
between the calf muscles on the back of the lower
leg (posterior muscles) and the anterior muscles or
muscles on the front part of the lower leg.
The more
powerful posterior muscles overwork the less
powerful anterior muscles as the anterior muscles
try to decelerate the body at heel strike and when
the anterior muscles lift the toe off the ground at
toe-off. The over-worked anterior muscles cause
excess stress where the muscle attaches to the
bone. This causes inflammation and pain along the
inside-front part of the lower leg where the
anterior muscles attach to the bone.
Treatment for shin splints includes
anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy and
custom orthotics to control motion and cushion the
foot.
