Shin pain and splints

Athletes often attend the centre complaining of shin pain. The first step in treatment is to form a diagnosis. The most common form of shin pain encountered at the centre is known as medial tibial stress syndrome whereby the inside of the shin becomes tender due to inflammation between the junction of the muscles and bone. This condition is generally treated very effectively at the centre and rarely requires anything more than good rehabilitation and correction of the mechanical imbalances. The condition is associated with abnormal pronation in many instances.

Other forms of shin pain can be due to stress fractures, compartment syndrome and muscle inflammation secondary to excessive tractional stress on muscles. All muscles of the lower leg insert into the foot and there is therefore a strong association between mechanical imbalances of the foot and the onset of shin pain.