Shin splints – three different things can cause this shin pain with exercise:

MTSS – Commonly referred to as shin splints, this is where the tendon and muscle attachments to the connective tissue (periosteum) around the shin bone become inflamed due to overuse. Tight muscles, poor biomechanics and significant increases in training load can all be causes. MTSS stands or medial tibial stress syndrome.

You will typically feel pain along the inner border of the shin bone. It is painful at the start of a training session and usually settles as the session progresses and you warm up. Following exercise the pain returns. The area may be tender to touch. It often affects both legs, though the severity is rarely identical. The first thing to do is reduce your training volume, and start stretching.

If you think you have this condition it is well worth getting it checked as soon as possible by Dr. Amit. You should avoid any aggravating activities which may make things worse. It will not get better on its own, unless you significantly alter your activities.

Treatment involves first confirming the diagnosis which is not particularly easy in the early stages. MRI scanning or bone scanning are helpful and are best done when the pain is bad (Dr. Amit may ask you to train hard for the few days before the scan). A period of relative rest will be required. This will be followed by rehabilitation to work on stretching and strengthening. It is important to identify why you developed MTSS and to identify any underlying problems, which may make you at risk of recurrence. Sometimes surgery in the form of periosteal stripping is required.

Compartment syndrome

This refers to exercise induced leg pain caused by muscle swelling within one of the compartments in the leg. The compartment is the tough fibrous bag around the muscles and when the muscles in the compartment swell the pressure can rise and reduce the blood supply getting to the muscles and nerves. The lack of blood supply then causes pain. The deep compartment lies beneath the large calf muscles just behind the shin bone. Compartment syndrome can be caused by rapid increases in the size of the muscles associated with significant increases in training (often seen in military recruits), or unaccustomed strenuous exercise.

You will feel pain along the inside edge of the shin or in the back of the calf. It is often described as an ache, or tight cramping pain, this may be associated with pins and needles. It comes on soon after starting exercise and goes shortly after exercise. When the problem becomes severe it will stop you exercising. Deep massage and icing can help with the symptoms but do not offer a lasting cure.

If you think you have this condition it is well worth getting it checked as soon as possible by Dr. Amit. You should avoid any aggravating activities which may make things worse. It will not get better on its own, unless you significantly alter your activities.

Treatment involves first confirming the diagnosis and excluding other problems such as tenoperiostits or stress fractures. MRI scanning or bone scanning are helpful to exclude these and are best done when the pain is bad (Dr. Amit may ask you to train hard for the few days before the scan). Compartment pressure testing is needed to confirm the diagnosis. This involves putting a needle into the compartment to measure the change in pressure when exercising. Surgery to release the tight compartment is often needed in severe cases and correcting any biomechanical problems is also helpful.