Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome “Shin Splints” by Luci Minogue

Bone stress injuries are common in runners, basketball players and the military and occur when the load applied to bone exceeds the bone’s ability to manage this load. A stress reaction develops which can result in a stress fracture.

COMMON SYMPTOMS:

Stage 1 (Inflammation): Diffues ache alone the shin bone. Pain with exercise that settles fairly quickly with rest.

Stage 2 (Bone Marrow Oedema): Worsening symptoms which may include pain at rest and possible swelling.

Stage 3 (Stress Fracture): Well localised pain with weight bearing. Pain may be at rest and at night and it is easily aggravated. There may be swelling.

Bone Stress injuries often occur when there is a history of impact loading, such as running, and there may have been a recent increase in training load prior to the pain starting. Pain is aggravated by impact and eased by rest. The pain does not ease with continued exercise like some tendon injuries do.

PHYSIOTHERAPY ASSESSMENT

• Subjective Assessment: Your InnerStrength of Bayside Physiotherapist will ask you questions about your pain levels, training frequency and intensity as well as footwear and any previous injuries.
• Objective Assessment: Your Physiotherapist will palpate your shin and assess your posture, walking and running gait, strength and range of movement.
• An X-ray or MRI may be ordered if a stress fracture is suspected or you are not improving.

TREATMENT

• Find the right level of training load in order for it to be pain free – you may need a period of rest.
• Graded return to pain free running.
• Strength and conditioning focusing particularly on the calf, quadriceps and gluteals.