Shin Splints Treatment
Runners, athletes and many individuals who have spent excessive time walking or running have experienced shin splints. This lower leg pain condition is a common issue that can make jogging, running or even hiking unenjoyable. At DOCS Health, our sports injury and orthopedic doctors offer effective shin splints treatment for patients at our clinic in Los Angeles.
Causes and Symptoms of Shin Splints
The lower leg has two bones – the fibula and tibia. The tibia is the larger bone, which runs along the inside of the legs. Shin splints are a stress injury that occurs due to excessive exercise that puts extra emphasis on the shinbone and surrounding soft tissues. This is common when beginning a new sport or increasing the amount of exercise performed. Dancers, runners, military personnel and many other people can experience shin splints when changing their exercise routine. Other risk factors include:
- Flat feet
- Rigid arches
- Poor or improper footwear
- Sudden changes in exercise intensity
The main symptom of shin splints is pain along the tibia. This can be a dull ache, or the pain can present as shooting or throbbing. The pain can occur both when exercising and at rest. In some cases, patients with shin splints will have mild swelling along their shins.
Shin splints treatment is conservative, and in most cases, the symptoms go away as the shins become used to the new exercise routine. To help relieve the pain, rest, ice, compression and elevation (R.I.C.E.) are recommended. If footwear, flat feet or rigid arches contribute to shin splints, custom orthotics or new footwear may help reduce stress on the shins. In rare cases, more invasive treatments may be required.
If you have shin splints symptoms, contact us at DOCS Health today to schedule your appointment at our orthopedic clinic in Los Angeles. Shin splints can have the same symptoms as other more serious conditions. It is best to have your injury properly diagnosed and treated.
Doctors who treat this condition
Unless otherwise indicated, the physician is a member of DOCS Health Medical Group and has medical staff privileges at DOCS Surgery Center, DOCS Surgical Hospital, or both. Physicians denoted with an asterisk (*) are independent physicians who are not part of DOCS Health Medical Group, but do have medical staff privileges at DOCS Surgery Center, DOCS Surgical Hospital, or both.