With the sun finally coming out it’s time to dust off the runners and get moving again. What better way to enjoy the Spring air than a walk or a run around one of our beautiful parks and gardens. The key to getting active again is to stay injury free and shin pain is a common injury we see this time of year as we wake up our muscles after a long cold Melbourne winter.
“SHIN SPLINTS” is the common name for the condition medically named medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS). It can be described as pain anywhere along the shin bone from the knee to the ankle.
The most common cause of shin pain is inflammation of the sheath surrounding the bone (periosteum.) Traction forces on the periosteum from the muscles of the lower leg cause inflammation and a sharp aching pain along the shin results.
How are they caused?
- Rolling in of the feet (Flat feet/Over pronation)
- Rolling out of the feet (High arch/Over supination)
- Inadequate footwear ‐ too old or unstable shoes
- Too Much too soon ‐ Increasing training too quickly
- Training on hard surfaces
- Reduced flexibility at the ankle joint
What does it feel like?
- A Sharp pain over the inside of the lower leg.
- Pain at the start of exercise which often eases as the session continues
- Aching pain often returns after activity and may be at its worse the next morning.
- Sometimes some swelling. Tender to touch.
This condition can take a long time to heal if the correct help isn’t acquired. It is important to assess the biomechanics of your leg and foot to determine any factors that may predispose you to shin pain. Poor shock absorption or muscle function can result in shin splints. A biomechanical analysis of you walking and running will enable your podiatrist to assess foot function with respect to the lower limb. It will help diagnose the specific muscles becoming fatigued and failing to cope with the loads.
Podiatry is here to help by firstly reducing the pain so you can walk comfortably. Then with specific exercises, footwear advice and insoles we can realign the foot to improve the mechanics.
At Glenferrie Sports and Spinal Clinic our podiatrist Ben Holland will provide:
- stretching and strengthening programs
- biomechanical assessment of your running/walking gait
- orthotic therapy if required
- footwear advice
Call us now and book in with our friendly Podiatrist for a footwear and biomechanical assessment so you don’t end up on the injury list this spring missing out on the best time of year.
Ben Holland works Mondays at GSSC.
