There’s no running away from shin splints
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thletes that have pain in their lower leg usually describe their injury as “shin splints.” However, this term is used to describe a variety of overuse injuries in the lower leg including medial tibial stress syndrome, stress fractures, and compartment syndrome. Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is one of the most common leg injuries in athletes. There are many suspected causes of MTSS, but current research does not implicate any one factor above the others. Overuse by sudden increase in duration, frequency, or intensity of impact activities may lead to muscle fatigue or failure of the bones to remodel appropriately. Over-pronation occurs when the foot rolls inward and the arch collapses, which may cause increased stress on the muscles of the lower extremity. Muscle strength and flexibility imbalances that cause biomechanical faults have also been implicated in medial tibial stress syndrome. MTSS usually presents as pain that occurs in the lower third of the tibia or shin bone. It usually is described as a dull ache and is tender to the touch along the inside of the lower leg. At the initial injury phase, pain may only occur at the beginning and end of a workout. As the injury gets worse, pain may also happen during and after activities, and at worst, even at rest. The condition is most prevalent during preseason training,
due to increased load to the body, or late in the season after prolonged stress to the tissues. It is important for athletes to seek professional medical advice when dealing with shin splints, because more serious conditions such as stress fractures, a small crack in the bone, or compartment syndrome (increased pressure in the muscle compartment) may need to be ruled out. The best treatment for medial tibial stress syndrome is REST! This allows the muscles to heal and the bones to remodel. Other treatments that have shown promise in current research include strengthening of the soleus (one of the two calf muscles), controlling over-pronation, promoting proper shock absorption, and cross-training. The best prevention is proper mechanics and gradual increases in impact activities. Remember, medial tibial stress syndrome is one pain you just can’t run away from. The earlier that you allow the damaged tissues to heal, the faster you can return to your sport of choice. ✪
Health Watch Tuan Mai
12
SportStars™
November 10, 2011
Tuan Mai is a physical therapist, certified athletic trainer and a certified strength and conditioning specialist for Sports Medicine Center For Young Athletes, a division of Children’s Hospital Oakland with a facility also located in Walnut Creek. If you have questions or comments regarding the “Health Watch” column, write the Sports Medicine Center For Young Athletes staff at Health@SportStarsOnline.com.
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