Shin Splints: Understanding and Treating Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome
- My Family Podiatry
- Mar 17, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 8
Shin splints, clinically referred to as medial tibial stress syndrome, are one of the most common overuse injuries we see in active patients at My Family Podiatry. Runners, dancers, field sport athletes and people returning to exercise after a break often present with pain along the inner edge of the shin that limits training and progress.
We regularly assess and treat shin splints for patients from Albany Creek and across North Brisbane. Early assessment and appropriate management can prevent shin splints from becoming a long term issue or progressing into more serious bone stress injuries.
What Are Shin Splints?
Shin splints involve irritation of the tissues that attach to the tibia, or shin bone. This includes the periosteum, which is the outer layer of the bone, and the surrounding muscles that help control foot and ankle movement.
Pain is typically felt along the inner border of the shin and often spreads over a broad area rather than one specific point. A common feature of shin splints is that symptoms may ease as the body warms up during exercise, only to return afterwards or later in the day.
Shin splints develop when the load placed through the lower leg exceeds what the tissues are currently able to tolerate. This often occurs after changes in training volume, intensity, footwear or running surface.
Who Is Most at Risk of Developing Shin Splints?
Shin splints can affect people of all ages and ability levels, but certain factors increase the risk.
Flat (pronated) foot type: This foot position can increase the strain on muscles, leading to increased irritation at their attachment points on the bone.
High, rigid arch foot type: This foot position typically has poor shock absorption, potentially increasing stress on the lower leg.
Inadequate footwear: Shoes with insufficient cushioning and support may raise the likelihood of shin splints.
Abrupt return to exercise: Without properly conditioning your body for the stresses you're placing on it, bones and muscles can become irritated and damaged, leading to shin splints.
We also frequently see shin splints in dancers and military recruits due to the repetitive and high impact demands placed on the lower legs.
Common Symptoms of Shin Splints
Shin splints usually present with pain along the shin bone that may feel sharp, burning or like a dull ache. Pain is often worse at the beginning of activity, may settle temporarily as the tissues warm up, and then return after exercise.
Mild swelling may be present along the shin as part of the body’s inflammatory response. The area is often tender to touch, with discomfort spread over a wider section of the bone rather than a single pinpoint location.
If pain becomes more localised or progressively worsens, further assessment is important to rule out other conditions
Shin Splints Treatment Options
Relative Rest and Load Modification
As an overuse injury, shin splints require a reduction in aggravating activity. This does not always mean complete rest, but running and high impact exercise often need to be reduced for several weeks. Low impact alternatives such as cycling, swimming or elliptical training can help maintain fitness while allowing tissues to recover.
Footwear Assessment
Appropriate footwear helps manage the forces applied to the feet and lower legs. Stability shoes may be recommended for flatter feet, while cushioned neutral shoes are often better suited to higher arched or rigid foot types. Footwear advice is always individual and based on assessment.
Orthotic Therapy
Custom foot orthotics can help redistribute load and improve lower limb function. By reducing excessive strain through the muscles attaching to the tibia, orthotics often play a key role in recovery and prevention of recurrence.
Shockwave Therapy
For persistent or recurring shin splints that do not settle with rest and load management alone, shockwave therapy may be considered. Shockwave works by stimulating blood flow, promoting tissue repair and reducing pain sensitivity in chronically overloaded tissues. It is commonly used when symptoms have been present for several months or repeatedly return with training.
Training Load Management
Gradual progression is essential. Increasing training volume too quickly is one of the most common reasons shin splints develop. Small, controlled increases allow bone and soft tissue to adapt safely. Monitoring weekly training load and avoiding sudden spikes is critical. A running assessment with the team at My Family Podiatry can identify risk factors for injury and develop a plan to get you back to running without pain.
How a Sports Podiatrist Can Help
Shin splints rarely have a single cause. A pain and injury podiatry assessment focuses on identifying contributing factors such as foot posture, gait mechanics, footwear and training habits.
At our Albany Creek clinic, we provide comprehensive assessments for runners and active individuals across North Brisbane. Treatment plans often include activity modification, targeted exercises, footwear advice, orthotics and ongoing guidance to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Professional assessment is particularly important if symptoms persist despite rest or continue to return when training resumes.
Consulting a sports podiatrist ensures a comprehensive assessment and targeted treatment that facilitates effective treatment and recovery for individuals with shin splints.
When It Might Be More Than Shin Splints
Not all shin pain is shin splints. Further investigation is recommended if pain does not warm up with activity, becomes severe enough to disturb sleep, or is localised to one specific spot on the shin bone.
These signs may indicate a stress reaction or stress fracture, which requires a different management approach.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shin Splints
How long do shin splints take to heal?
Most cases improve within four to eight weeks with appropriate management, although timelines vary.
Can I keep running with shin splints?
Continuing to run through pain often delays recovery. Modified training or temporary rest is usually required.
Do orthotics help shin splints?
Many patients benefit from orthotics, particularly when biomechanical factors contribute to excessive loading.
Is shockwave therapy effective for shin splints?
Shockwave can be helpful for chronic or recurrent cases when combined with load management and rehabilitation.
When should I see a podiatrist?
If pain persists, worsens or keeps returning, professional assessment is recommended.
If shin pain is holding you back from training or exercise, early assessment can prevent long term issues. Call My Family Podiatry on 07 3088 6116 or book online to see our team in Albany Creek. We regularly help runners and active individuals from across North Brisbane return to activity safely and confidently.