Shin splints

Abstract

Common overuse injuries in athletes are -shin splints, stress fractures, compartment syndrome, nerve entrapment, etc. The term 'shin splints' is used broadly to describe many conditions causing exercise induced pain in sporting personnel. True shin splints is also labeled as Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS), describing a syndrome in which leg pain and discomfort in distal posteromedial aspect of leg is caused by repetitive activity and it excludes causes of pain due to stress fractures or due to ischemia. Inadequate warm-up, sudden increase in training mileage and hyperpronation of foot are some of the predisposing factors. Diagnosis is mainly clinical and is supported by investigations like MRI and Bone scan. Conservative treatment in the form of Rest, Physiotherapy and Orthotics is usually successful and these measures are also helpful in Prevention of MTSS.