Shin splints or medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is pain around the tibia or shinbone due to inflammation of the tendons, muscles and bone tissue. It occurs because of vigorous physical activity such as with exercise or sports.
Common causes of shin splints are
Common symptoms include pain in the front side of the lower leg, which can be sharp or dull, throbbing or sore to touch. Pain may also be associated with mild swelling.
Your doctor will diagnose the condition through physical examination of the lower leg, and may order imaging tests to rule out other problems.
Treatments for shin splints consists of non-surgical procedures including:
Surgical treatment is an option considered only in very severe cases when the conservative methods fail to relieve pain.
Shin splints can be prevented by following these measures: