Newsletter
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Shin Splints
Shin splints are considered an overuse injury most common in runners, sprinters, figure skaters and gymnasts.
What are shin splints? It has been defined as inflammation or small tears of the muscles where they insert on the shinbone or inflammation of the outer layer of the bone.
Shin splints are considered an overuse injury most common in runners, sprinters, figure skaters and gymnasts. Shin splints is technically called Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome.
It can occur on the inside portion of the bone as well as the front portion of the lower leg bone. In short, shin splints is a generic name interpreted as pain in the lower leg caused by overuse of specific muscles that attach to the shinbone.
The symptoms associated with shin splints are described as a dull aching sensation that becomes increasingly more intense. The pain is felt in the front middle portion of the shinbone. The pain increases with running and weight bearing activities and continues after the activity has ceased. Small bumps may be felt along the shaft of the shinbone.
Shin splints are similar to shin stress fractures and can lead to this if not properly treated.
As previously stated shin splints are caused by overuse of the muscles that attach to the shinbone. Some of the other causes of shin splints are muscle imbalance, poor shoe condition, running on hard surfaces, making tight turns and increasing speed and distance too rapidly. Shin splints are related to having decreased shock absorption and increased impact force as associated with running.
Muscle imbalances can lead to toe running and malalignments such as increased pronation, turning the medial border of the foot downward or flat feet. When running with increased pronation the muscles of the leg and foot are overworked in an attempt to try to stabilize the pronated foot, thus causing repeated stress to these muscles which can lead to repetitive micro-trauma or muscle tears.
Treatment of shin splints is twofold. Short-term treatment consists of icing after running, taking ibuprofen or aspirin for decreasing pain and inflammation, and decreasing mileage and intensity for 7-10 days. Also, avoiding hard surfaces and hills when running.
The long-term treatment may involve strengthening and stretching to decrease muscle imbalances, use of orthotic devices, taking anti-inflammatory medication and a trial of Physical Therapy. Full recovery may take up to several months.
To prevent shin splints proper strengthening and stretching of the lower leg are important, as well as wearing good running shoes with adequate shock absorption, medial arch support and extended medial heel counter (which resists pronation).
Running on softer surfaces such as bark chips, treadmill or grass will decrease your chances of developing shin splints. Also, gradually increasing your speed and distance is another factor to consider in the prevention of shin splints.
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Protective Equipment--Do Athletes Need It?
Swimming with Strong Shoulders
Tumbling into Trouble
Shoulder Injuries in Overhead Sports
The Female Athlete Triad
Preventing Golf Injury
Off Season Preparations for Athletes
Proper Pitching Mechanics Can Prevent Shoulder Injuries
Shin Splints
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6th Annual
sports medicine symposium
and golf outing
Thursday, August 3rd, 2006
Mark your calendars for our 6th Annual Sports Medicine Symposium and Golf Outing. Once again, the event will be held at Windwood Country Club in Watertown. This FREE symposium will include information to help coaches succeed at all levels of competition. Once the symposium is over, join us for a FREE lunch, and a FREE 9 holes of golf.
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Speed and Agility Camp
Starting June 12th through July 28th
6 weeks excluding the week of July 3rd through July 7th
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Cost: $110
WAHS Sports Medicine believes that speed, agility, and conditioning are essential to athletic success. In order to help you achieve your full potential, our highly trained performance enhancement staff at WAHS Sports Medicine has developed a 6 week speed and agility camp.
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Functional Strength and Power Camp
Starting June 13th and ending July 27th
Excludes week of July 3rd through July 7th
Tuesdays and Thursdays
9:00 AM– 10:30 AM
Cost: $85
WAHS Sports Medicine has developed challenging, functional, and effective alternative to weightlifting. Unlike traditional weightlifting, the camp integrates traditionally proven exercises as well as advanced exercises to work all muscle groups in unison, thereby increasing overall strength, power and coordination, while decreasing the risk of injury.
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Related Links
Careers:
www.nata.org National Athletic Trainers Association
www.apta.org American Physical Therapist Association
Health and Injury Information:
www.acsm.org American College of Sports Medicine
www.ncaa.org National Collegiate Athletic Association
www.wiaawi.org/health/nutrition Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic
Association
www.gssiweb.com Gatoraide Sports Science Institiute
www.iasm.com Institute for Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine
www.physsportsmed.com The Physician & Sports Medicine
www.ORTHOsupersite.com The Orthopaedics Supersite
www.sportsdentistry.com Academy for Sports Dentistry
www.aapsm.org American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine
www.biausa.org Brain Injury Association of America
www.subtlebraininjury.com Subtle Brain Injury Website
www.sportsmedresources.com Sports Medicine Resources Website
www.asmi.org American Sports Medicine Institute
www.ortho-u.net Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics
www.lightningsafety.com National Lightning Safety Institute
www.webmd.com WebMD
www.nocsae.org National Operating Committee on Standards for
Athletic Equipment
Strength and Conditioning:
www.athleticsearch.com Athletic Search on Web
www.nsca-lift.org National Strength and Conditioning Association
www.nasm.org National Academy of Sports Medicine
www.coaching.usolympicteam.com Olympic E-Coach Magazine
www.ncsf.org National Council of Strength & Fitness
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