Shin splints, or medial tibial stress syndrome, occur when the muscles that attach to the inner side of the shinbone, or tibia, become inflamed. The Mayo Clinic reports that the pain of shin splints occurs when there's an overload on the shinbone and the connective tissues that keep your muscles attached to the bone. Shin splints can be very painful, but there are ways to help prevent and treat them.
Causes
KidsHealth reports that shin splints are often caused by repeated running on a hard surface or by training too hard at the beginning of a sports season. The Children's Hospital in Aurora, Colorado, notes that shin splints can also develop if kids fail to stretch and warm up properly, change their running surface or wear the wrong shoes. The pain can get so bad your child might not be able to run at all. Unlike acute injuries that come on suddenly, shin splints are considered an overuse injury that develops after repetitive motion.
Treatment
There are a number of ways to treat shin splints, depending on their severity. The Children's Hospital says putting ice packs on the area several times a day for a few days may help, or give an ice massage. A doctor may recommend a period of rest and rehabilitation exercises or suggest taking some anti-inflammatory medication. Getting a pair of shoes designed specifically for your child's sport may help, and in some cases, a doctor may prescribe the use of orthotics in the shoes. In rare cases, surgery may be recommended for young athletes with compartment syndrome or those who suffer a tibial stress fracture.
Prevention
In addition to picking the right shoes for the sport, there are other ways kids can help prevent shin splints from developing. The Children's Hospital says it's important to stretch and warm-up the body before beginning running or other sports. The Mayo Clinic suggests doing some standing toe raises to help strengthen the shins. It also recommends cross-training with a sport that puts less impact on the shins, such as walking, biking or swimming. If your child is in a high-impact sport, such as running or basketball, KidsHealth notes he should be practicing on a surface such as a track or wooden court that's more forgiving than concrete.
