What are shin splints / stress fractures ?
Shin splints are really a symptom rather than a specific diagnosis because they are probably caused by a number of different problems. Shin splints are one of the most common problems in the lower leg in people who exercise or play sports. In typical shin splints, pain is felt more over the medial (inner) part of your shin. Pain felt over the lateral (outer) part of your shin may not be due to shin splints and may be due to a compartment syndrome in your leg. Shin splints are sometimes called medial tibial stress syndrome. What causes shin splints?Experts do not all agree on the cause of shin splints and the exact cause is not known. They are thought to be caused by overuse or overactivity and typically occur in runners. There are certain things that have been suggested that may make shin splints more likely. These include:
(The foot (and ankle) normally roll slightly inward when we move. Over-pronation is where the foot rolls inward more than normal.) What are the symptoms of shin splints?The main symptom is pain in the shin area. The pain tends to be in the middle and lower shin and on the medial (inner) half. Pain first comes on after running or exercising. However, over time, the pain can come on during running or exercising. If severe, it may also come on when climbing stairs. What else could the pain be?Stress fractures of the tibia (one of the two bones in the leg below the knee) can also cause shin splint-type pain. A stress fracture is a type of incomplete fracture in a bone. Stress fractures tend to occur as a result of overuse and are known as 'overuse injuries'. Do I need any investigations for shin splints?X-rays are usually normal in people with shin splints. The main reason that your doctor may suggest an X-ray of your leg below the knee is to rule out a stress fracture in one of the bones. However, not all stress fractures show up on X-rays. What is the treatment for shin splints?Rest. This is the main treatment for shin splints. This means avoiding any activity, such as running, that may have lead to the shin splints. What is the prognosis (outlook) for shin splints?With rest and treatment, you can fully recover from shin splints. However, they may recur if you do not look at the underlying cause of your shin splints. Can shin splints be prevented?Studies and trials have been done to look at preventing shin splints. No single prevention method has been found to be consistently effective and further trials are needed. However, one of the things that does show some promise is the use of shock-absorbent insoles inside shoes while you are exercising. Special insoles to correct over-pronation of your foot (if you have this) may also be helpful. You should also regularly replace your running shoes. Graduated running programmes that build in rest days may also help. Rest...... It is important to rest to allow the condition to settle. Sometimes a splint, firm bandage or brace is put on a wrist if this is the area affected. This enforces your hand and wrist to stay in the same position for a time to allow rest of the affected tendon. Ice packs..... over the affected area may ease swelling and pain. A simple ice pack can be made by wrapping a pack of frozen peas in a tea towel. Apply it to the affected area for 10 minutes twice a day. Anti-inflammatory painkillers..... are often prescribed (for example, ibuprofen). These ease pain and reduce inflammation. However, as discussed above, inflammation may not be the main problem in tendonitis and tenosynovitis. However, they will provide pain relief. Some anti-inflammatory painkillers also come as creams or gels which you can rub over the painful area. These tend to produce fewer side-effects than those taken by mouth. There are various brands which you can buy, or get on prescription. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. Other painkillers. If you cannot take anti-inflammatory painkillers, other painkillers such as paracetamol, with or without codeine added, may be helpful. Physiotherapy exercises... advised. A target anti-inflammatory injection...... into the affected area may be given if the above measures do not work. Steroid injections may be helpful in easing pain in the short-term but pain tends to come back in many people. Surgical release of a tendon is rarely needed. Surgery to remove or repair damaged tissue may be necessary if the condition causes debilitating pain or bone fractures. Healthy diet and lifestyle for prevention.....Athletes risking their health by 'under-fuelling'
Endurance athletes could risk their long-term health, stress fractures by under-fuelling and over-training, an expert has warned. Distance runner has not had a period in more years and was diagnosed with Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (Red-S) and osteoporosis in her late 20s. Red-S can "affect anybody who is very physically active and takes their sport seriously". Red-S can affect both male and female athletes and became a recognised condition in 2014. There have been few studies into the prevalence of the condition, but it is understood to be most common in sports such as athletics, cycling and dancing, where being light could make a significant difference to performance. The condition can cause a range of health problems, like drop in hormone levels, deterioration in bone density, excess drop in metabolic rate and mental health problems. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-47965467?intlink_from_url=&link_location=live-reporting-story References http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periostitis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medial_tibial_stress_syndrome http://www.orthohyd.com/home/know-your-disease/stress-fractures-shin-splints References
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