Shin splints, or medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), is an overuse injury that’s very common in athletes. This sports injury affects your lower extremities, and is often seen in runners, basketball and tennis players. In addition to overtraining, your risk for this injury increases when you rapidly increase your training intensity. Muscular tightness and/or imbalances; high-arched or flat-feet; and obesity are also risk factors for MTSS.
Once the condition develops, you may experience pain that worsens with exercise and improves with rest. The discomfort could be sharp or dull and throbbing. You may also experience swelling in the lower leg area, as well as tenderness to the touch. At this point, it’s important to seek shin splint relief from Marietta podiatrist Dr. Alvin Cowans. This will help you avoid worsening discomfort, allowing you to enjoy all your favorite activities. 
Key Takeaways
- Shin splints are an overuse injury, and may resolve with self-care including rest, ice and anti-inflammatory medication
- Compression therapy can help speed up recovery
- Seeing a podiatrist to rule out additional injuries and to get fitted for custom orthotics will support ongoing relief and prevent symptom recurrences
What is the quickest way to heal shin splints?
The best way to find fast shin splint relief is to rest. Since MTSS is an overuse injury, removing stress from your tibia bone will allow healing to begin. While resting, you can speed up the healing experience by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, such as aspirin or ibuprofen. These medications can simultaneously reduce pain and inflammation. You should also ice your shin area several times a day, for at least three days and for as long as it takes for the pain to resolve. Don’t let the ice touch your skin directly, and don’t apply the ice for more than 20 minutes at a time. With rest, ice and medication, many cases of MTSS will self-resolve after a week or two.
Is it good to rub out shin splints?
In short, the answer is yes: gentle massage can help you find shin splint relief. The action of rubbing the muscles and tissue surrounding your shin bone can help speed healing by releasing muscle tension, thereby reducing stress on the tibia bone. It can also improve circulation to the region, supporting faster tissue repair and improved healing. While self-massage may be effective, a professional sports massage may be a better choice, to promote a safer, more effective recovery.
Compression for shin splints
Another way to find shin splint relief is to practice compression therapy. You may wish to wear shin sleeves like these during your recovery period. Applying this type of pressure to your shin bone can help prevent further swelling in the area by preventing fluid collection and helping support improved circulation. To begin, try wearing your compression sleeve for just a few hours at a time, gradually increasing the wearing period once you know how your body responds to this treatment option.
Why won’t shin splints go away?
When MTSS doesn’t resolve with the steps listed above, several causes could be to blame.
Your pain may persist if you:
- Don’t rest enough
- Have an underlying weakness or biomechanical challenge
- Are dealing with additional injuries, such as a stress fracture
- Wear shoes that lack sufficient support
When to see a doctor for shin splint relief
If self-care for Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome fails to provide symptom relief in two to four weeks, it’s time to come in to our podiatry practice in Powder Springs, GA. When you visit with Dr. Cowans, he can screen you for additional injuries that may be keeping you from a full recovery. During your appointment, he will also examine your anatomy and gait to see if your current movement patterns or bodily structures are contributing to stress on the tibia bone. (People with flat feet, high arches, or a tendency to over-pronate are more likely to develop shin splints, regardless of activity levels.)
If Dr. Cowans determines that foot shape or biomechanical concerns are contributing to your overuse injury, he may fit you for custom orthotics. These medical grade shoe inserts are crafted to provide support exactly where your body needs it most. In turn, your weight is distributed more evenly across your feet; your gait is optimized; and you can remove stress from your shins and other parts of your body. (That’s why wearing orthotics can also resolve the heel pain of plantar fasciitis along with concerns like Achilles tendinitis.)
With regular wearing, many patients will find shin splint relief from their orthotics. But if your pain persists, we can also explore physical therapy or, in extreme cases, surgery, to help you achieve a full recovery.
Now, if you simply ignore shin splints, or try to push through the pain, your symptoms are likely to get worse. So, if you notice lower leg discomfort when you exercise, call us right away at 770-727-0614 or reach out to us online to request an appointment, even if the pain resolves once your workout is complete. By seeking prompt medical attention, we can help resolve your pain quickly, helping you safely return to your favorite athletic activities.
