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That nagging pain in your shins after a run isn’t just soreness — it could be shin splints. At Austin Sports Medicine, we know how frustrating it is when pain slows you down. Our renowned sports medicine experts have treated the University of Texas athletes for three decades, and we provide that same exemplary level of care to patients in our community. With locations in Austin, Bee Cave, Cedar Park, and Pflugerville, Texas, we offer quick diagnosis and treatment so you can get back to your active life. Call us or schedule your appointment online today.
Shin Splints Q & A
What are shin splints?
Medial tibial stress syndrome, better known as shin splints, causes pain in and around the shin bone (tibia.) Many active people, especially athletes, experience shin splints and struggle with staying active.
What causes shin splints?
Shin splints are an overuse injury that happens when you place repetitive stress on the tibia and its supporting tissues.
The most common examples of activities that can cause shin splints are sports involving running and jumping. Distance runners are particularly prone to shin splints when they suddenly increase their distance or intensity.
However, non-athletes can get shin splints. People with flat feet and high arches are prone to shin splints because their feet can’t absorb shock properly, so impact force travels upward to the shins.
How can I tell if my leg pain is shin splints?
Shin splints cause a distinct type of pain. It starts above the ankle and runs along the front, inside, or outside of the shin (lower leg) bone.
Tenderness, in which touching or pressuring the shins feels uncomfortable, is also common.
Another telltale sign of shin splints is the pattern of the pain. Shin splints usually start during exercise, but the pain recedes when you stop. Over time, shin splints can lead to stress fractures if you don’t seek treatment. At that point, the pain might worsen until it’s constant.
What is the best treatment for shin splints?
Austin Sports Medicine provides a customized shin splint recovery plan after a physical exam and imaging tests (available conveniently on-site). The main goals of shin splint treatment are addressing underlying problems, relieving pain, and taking proactive steps to prevent recurrence.
- Rest: Temporarily restricting strenuous activity
- Exercise change: Changing to low-impact exercise
- Ice packs: Applied in 20-minute increments
- Pain relievers: Ibuprofen and acetaminophen
- Shoe change: Swap shoes for more supportive ones
- Custom orthotics: Correct flat feet and high arches
- Physical therapy: Helps strengthen shin support muscles
- Preventive care: Gradual vs. sudden exercise changes to avoid reinjury
In cases of persistent pain, the team may recommend additional customized treatment approaches.
Shin splints can be infuriatingly inconvenient. If they keep you from your favorite activities, don’t ignore the pain. Contact Austin Sports Medicine today to schedule an appointment in Austin, Bee Cave, Cedar Park, or Pflugerville. Or use the online appointment request for convenient scheduling.