Sharp pain in the front of the lower leg when working out is commonly known as shin splints. There may also be minimal swelling and tenderness to the touch present in the anterior lower leg. Anyone who increases his activity level very quickly is at risk for this pain -- even weight lifters.
Anatomy
The lower limb consists of two bones, the tibia and fibula. It also has multiple muscle groups, tendons, and thin layers of tissues that cover the bones and muscles. When there is swelling from overuse, pressure is placed on the coverings of the muscles and bones and this typically results in the pain known as shin splints.
Causes
The main cause of shin splints is too much force on the tibia, muscles, tendons, and the thin layer or tissue that covers the bone. This is typically related to an overuse or too much activity for the shin and not enough time to recover. Those most at risk are runners, people with flat or rigid arches because of the change of the pressure on the tibia, those who increase the intensity of a high impact sport, people working out on a hard surface, military training, and sports with sudden starts and stops. Weight lifters can be at risk because of footwear, structure of the lower limbs, and increased heavy forces placed on the shins. Sometimes, muscles growing quickly can contribute to the discomfort.
Treatments
Common treatments for shin splints are rest, ice and elevation. Resting for two weeks with no unnecessary weight bearing is best. When the pain is gone, slowly reintroduce lifting workouts to avoid another incidence of shin splints. Wearing proper shoes for the type of exercise and having a good arch support is important to ensure that stress and weight put on the lower limb is placed on the correct body parts and distributed evenly. If the cause of shin splints is not addressed, the pain that had been only present during activity can become continuous.
Precautions
If you are unsure the pain in the lower limb is shin splints, seek a medical professional's opinion. Also, if the shin is hot and inflamed, if pain begins after a fall or accident, swelling is getting worse, or if pain persists even with rest, seek a medical consultation. Other causes of anterior shin pain are medial compartment syndrome and stress fractures.
