Shin Splints
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- Category: Science
- Date Submitted: 03/23/2010 05:36 PM
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Shin Splints
Almost all athletes experience some sort of athletic injuries during their time in sports. One of the most common injuries known to slow down athletes is known as a shin splint which is a general term used to refer to a painful condition in the shins. It is often caused by running or jumping or sprinting, and may be very slow to heal. A formal medical term for the condition is medial tibial stress syndrome. Pes Planus or 'flat feet' is a leading cause of Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome or more commonly medial shin splints. Flat feet cause the posterior tibialis and other muscles of the medial shin to become overstretched, weakened, and inflamed. Another problem that may lead to shin splints are tight calves which can cause a large amount of pain in the anterior shin. Both flat feet and tight calves can lead to this painful injury.
When healing from a shin splint one might want to stay off strenuous activity that involve running or a large stress to the anterior muscles of the lower leg. In conjunction with rest, anti-inflammatory treatments such as cold-packs and drugs, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (in particular, NSAID gel) may be suggested by a doctor or athletic trainer. In order for medial tibial stress syndrome to completely heal stretching on a daily basis will allow tension to subside in the leg which may relieve the pain. Stretching the hamstring may also allow stress to be released from the lower leg which may also help reverse medial tibial stress syndrome. However, if none of that works some doctors recommend special insoles that lower the stress acting on the tibial muscles. However the best way to heal is resting the sore and damaged muscles.
Almost all athletes experience some sort of athletic injuries during their time in sports. One of the most common injuries known to slow down athletes is known as a shin splint which is a general term used to refer to a painful condition in the shins. It is often caused by running or jumping or sprinting, and may be very slow to heal. A formal medical term for the condition is medial tibial stress syndrome. Pes Planus or 'flat feet' is a leading cause of Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome or more commonly medial shin splints. Flat feet cause the posterior tibialis and other muscles of the medial shin to become overstretched, weakened, and inflamed. Another problem that may lead to shin splints are tight calves which can cause a large amount of pain in the anterior shin. Both flat feet and tight calves can lead to this painful injury.
When healing from a shin splint one might want to stay off strenuous activity that involve running or a large stress to the anterior muscles of the lower leg. In conjunction with rest, anti-inflammatory treatments such as cold-packs and drugs, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (in particular, NSAID gel) may be suggested by a doctor or athletic trainer. In order for medial tibial stress syndrome to completely heal stretching on a daily basis will allow tension to subside in the leg which may relieve the pain. Stretching the hamstring may also allow stress to be released from the lower leg which may also help reverse medial tibial stress syndrome. However, if none of that works some doctors recommend special insoles that lower the stress acting on the tibial muscles. However the best way to heal is resting the sore and damaged muscles.