Shin splints, medically known as medial tibial stress syndrome, is a common overuse injury among athletes involved in extensive amounts of running. The condition causes pain along the shinbone, or tibia. Many doctors recommend low-impact exercise, such as swimming, as a good substitute activity while you are recovering. See a doctor if you have severe pain in your shin following a fall or accident, if your shin is hot to the touch or if the swelling increases.
Features
Shin splints can affect the muscle, tendon, bone or connective tissues which surround them. Symptoms include tenderness, soreness, or aching pain along the inner part of your lower leg, along with mild swelling. At first, discomfort is only felt while exercising; as the condition progresses, pain may occur during periods of rest. The symptoms of shin splints resemble those of a stress fracture, but with shin splints the pain is less localized -- running up and down a region of your leg -- and the leg is less painful to the touch. Shin splints can be diagnosed with X-rays.
Causes
Running in worn-out footwear, running on slanted surfaces, running downhill, and performing frequent accelerations and decelerations can all increase susceptibility to shin splints. Overtraining -- in which the intensity, frequency or duration of workouts is suddenly increased -- is a common culprit. According to Sports Injury Bulletin, your shin absorbs a force equal to two to three times your body weight with every footfall during running -- about 700 times per shin per mile.
Swimming
Doctors and exercise physiologists agree that swimming -- by helping to maintain aerobic fitness -- can be beneficial while recovering from shin splints. For a more challenging workout, alternate the freestyle stroke with butterfly, breaststroke and backstroke, but only if the movements don't cause pain. A 150-lb. person swimming moderately for an hour can burn 414 calories; vigorous swimming burns 666.
Treatment
Most shin splints can be treated with self-care using the RICE technique: Rest the leg, and apply ice every 15 to 20 minutes four to eight times a day for several days, keeping a towel between the ice and your skin. MayoClinic.com also suggest to apply a compression bandage; loosen the bandage if pain increases, the area becomes numb or swelling occurs below the bandage. Treat pain and swelling with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications -- such as aspirin or ibuprofen -- as long as you have no conditions that preclude their use. Resume activities gradually as the shin splints heal.
