Shin Splints Essendon & Blackburn
Melbourne Podiatry Clinic based in Essendon & Blackburn provide quality care for shin splints to residents throughout Melbourne including Strathmore, Essendon, Blackburn, Box Hill, Mitcham, Brunswick West & Forest Hill.
What causes shin pain/shin splints?
Shin splints or shin pain can be caused by injuries to the muscles and tendons along the shin, stress fractures and compartment syndrome. Shin pain is a common injury that affects athletes who engage in running sports or other activities such as tennis, golf and walking.
Pain is often felt along the inside (medial) aspect of the shin or down the outside (lateral) of the lower leg. It generally occurs as a result of a sudden increase in the frequency, duration and intensity of activity. It is strongly linked to inappropriate footwear, hard training surfaces and certain types of activity. Abnormal biomechanics is the major cause in the development of shin pain. Overpronation of the feet, over-striding, bowed legs and poor running technique all contribute to shin injuries.
Diagnosis
In order to determine the cause of your shin pain, your podiatrist will conduct a full physical, walking and running assessment. It may also be necessary to undergo specialised diagnostic tests such as X-ray, ultrasound or bone scans. It is important we check to ensure there are no tibial stress fractures as this can significantly delay healing and prevent resumption of activity.
Treatment
The initial objective in the treatment of shin pain is to relieve the pain and inflammation. We recommend the use of ice initially and cessation of weight-bearing exercise. The underlying cause of your shin pain is then established and treated using massage, dry needling, shockwave therapy, hot/cold therapies and stretching. Following a gait analysis, orthotics may be required to correct any detected biomechanical issues that may delay healing. The sports podiatrist will then be able to assist you with an ongoing maintenance program to prevent the shin pain from returning.