How Do You Get Shin Splints?
Individuals who engage in sports (e.g. soccer, football, basketball, etc) and other activities (e.g. exercising, dancing and military training) that involves excessive running, jumping and walking are usually likely to develop a injury in the lower leg, specifically located on the tibia ( also called the “shinbone”) called “shin splints”. In medical terms, this injury is mostly referred to as Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome or MTSS. There are a few remedies to cure shin splints though.
Patients usually describe the pain as mild during early stages but the pain is said to worsen significantly. The pain is usually restricted to either the lower inside or upper outside portion of the shinbone or tibia (the larger bone in the lower leg).
Shin splints injuries occur for many reasons. First, when one follows an inappropriate exercise regime or does wrong exercises. For instance individuals who suddenly increase their exercise routines (e.g. increasing running/jogging/ walking distances, changing running terrain and increasing the number of hours or days when exercising too quickly) without proper pacing. This includes individuals who exercise excessively. Second, hyperpronation or the over flattening of the arch on your feet (flat feet). Third, while using shoes that are not supportive or inappropriate for exercise/ training activity. Take note, shoe requirement differs from each sport for a reason; some shoes cannot endure strenuous activity. Lastly, walking and running on hard surfaces for a long period of time.
It is important to take note that during exercise your shins have to endure six times your normal weight. The activities listed above put too much stress and burden over the tibia which results to inflammation and tenderness on your leg muscles, bones and joints. Also, it causes microtears on the surrounding tissues of the tibia. Normally, your body will naturally repair the damages but because the injury comes as a sudden shock it, at times, becomes difficult to cure shin splints.