Don’t let this common athletic injury put you on the sidelines!
It’s the feeling that every runner dreads: A ridge of pain running along the inner side of the shinbone. Shin splints are notorious for putting runners off their feet, but it’s actually one of the most common athletic injuries. Fortunately, the experts at Atta Rehab in Aiea, HI can help resolve shin splits quickly and efficiently.
“Shin splints” is a vague term referring to any pain in the lower leg. Most athletes, however, suffer from medial tibial stress syndrome, affecting up to 35% of athletes who run and jump, including runners, basketball players, or gymnasts. Dancers and military recruits are also at risk for developing shin splints, as is anyone who recently started up a new training program.
While the condition usually goes away with a few weeks of rest, at Atta Rehab, we know that dedicated athletes don’t have that option. That’s why our physical therapists will work to get to the root of the problem so we can offer treatment to both treat the issue now and help resolve it entirely.
Don’t let shin splints keep you out of the game. Schedule an appointment with Atta Rehab in Aiea, HI today!
What do shin splints feel like, and what causes them?
Shin splints are defined by pain, tenderness, or soreness in your lower leg–often near the shin bone, hence the name. You might also notice some mild swelling.
Shin splints are overuse injuries caused by repeated loading stress on the lower leg. Essentially, high-impact activity can overwork your leg’s muscles, tendons, and bone tissue, leading to pain and swelling. The following situations can often lead to shin splints:
- Frequent running, jumping, or other high-impact movements
- Performing high-impact movement on less-than-ideal flooring (for example, a dried-out football field or an asphalt parking lot)
- Taking on too much when starting a new workout program
- Wearing improper footwear for the types of exercise you’re doing
Typically, shin splits go away with rest–you’ll probably find that the pain stops when you stop exercising. However, if you try to “work through the pain” or experience recurrent shin splints, you risk the condition worsening from a simple shin splint to a more serious stress fracture.
The physical therapists at Atta Rehab in Aiea, HI understand that you want to return to the sport you love as quickly as possible. That’s why we’ll work to determine the exact cause of your shin splints, so we can both treat the pain today and help you avoid developing them again in the future.
How does physical therapy treat shin splints?
The most common treatment for shin splints is rest (to give the affected areas time to heal) and icing (to reduce pain). However, physical therapy at Atta Rehab can provide guidance to more quickly improve your outcomes in as safe a way as possible.
To help us determine the appropriate approach for you, we’ll start by determining the exact cause of your shin splints. At your first appointment, you can expect a complete physical examination, a detailed health history, and a discussion about your current training program and any goals you might have.
For athletes, one of the most important things our physical therapists can do is help you develop a return-to-sport timeline. Because shin splints are a stress injury, it’s essential that you not jump right back into high-impact workouts. Instead, you should gradually increase your movement each day, with a focus on gently stretching the affected muscles.
Because our experts will have determined the exact cause of your shin splints, we can provide detailed, specific exercise suggestions. You won’t necessarily be working the shin muscles! Sometimes, the best treatment will actually involve stretching and strengthening muscles elsewhere in your body, particularly in the hips, feet, or calves.
Part of your return-to-sport program will also involve modifications for common movements like walking, running, or jumping, which allows you to return to training without risking re-injury.
Finally, our therapists may take a look at your footwear. If it turns out that you’re wearing the wrong types of shoes, we can suggest potential solutions, including alternative footwear or sole inserts.
Schedule an appointment with Atta Rehab today!
No matter what caused your shin splints, the experts at Atta Rehab in Aiea, HI are here to get you back on the track, field, or stage. To learn more about how we can provide a detailed treatment and return-to-sport plan for you, schedule an appointment with us today!
