Shin splints, also known as medial tibial stress syndrome, are a common condition among runners and joggers. It can cause severe pain and make it difficult to stay mobile. Your foot and ankle specialist can help. Drs. John Sigle, Grant Gonzalez, and Keith Beauchamp at Foot & Ankle Center Of Illinois can help you recover from shin splints. They have four convenient office locations in Springfield, Decatur, Shelbyville, and Carlinville, IL, to help you.
What You Need To Know About Shin Splints
Shin splints cause sharp pain along your tibia, the large bone in the front of your leg. The condition is caused by stressing and overworking your muscles, tendons, and bones. In addition to pain, you may also experience muscle soreness and swelling along your lower leg.
You are at increased risk of developing shin splints if you have started a program of running or jogging for an extended time or a farther distance. Increasing your amount of exercise and leg stress can also cause shin splints.
For mild shin splint pain, you can:
- Apply ice packs for 15 to 20 minutes, four to eight times daily
- Take over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammatory medication
- Rest and elevate your legs to relieve leg stress
For moderate to severe shin splint pain, you should visit your foot and ankle specialist, who may recommend:
- Prescription-strength anti-inflammatory medication to decrease swelling and relieve pain
- Physical therapy and stretching to help you stay flexible and mobile
- Crutches and other assistive devices to relieve leg stress
You can do a lot to prevent shin splints if you:
- Always wear the appropriate footwear for the activity you are doing
- If you are a runner, switch out your shoes every 350 to 500 miles
- Wear arch supports if you have fallen arches
- Try lower-impact sports like biking, walking, or swimming
- Increase your exercise intensity gradually, not quickly
- Strengthen your legs with leg presses and other exercises
- Do leg stretches before exercising, running, or jogging
Want To Know More?
To find out more about the causes, prevention, and treatment of shin splints, call Drs. John Sigle, Grant Gonzalez, and Keith Beauchamp at Foot & Ankle Center Of Illinois. You can reach them in any of their four locations in Springfield, Decatur, Shelbyville, or Carlinville, IL, by calling (217) 787-2700, so call today.