Tibial pain during sports: How are shin splints treated?
Leg pain is common among athletes who run, brisk walking, or even ski. Other sports that involve many micro-injuries are more likely to cause shin pain. The medical term applied to these diseases is periostitis.
Leg splints are inflammation of the membrane covering the shin bone (periosteum) due to repetitive trauma. The pain, which is often severe, can occur in the front or back of the leg, below the knee. How do you treat periostitis? explanations.
shin splints symptoms
Acute pain in the leg during exercise is the main indicator of periostitis. Periostitis causes excruciating mechanical pain at the posterior inner edge of the tibia, more specifically in the middle third of the bone. These pains are most severe when running or jumping. However, they are not present at rest.
All symptoms of shin splints are:
severe pain in the front, inner or outer part, or even the back of the lower leg;
leg pain while running, walking or any other movement of the foot, which goes away with rest;
Leg pain on palpation.
Swelling in the painful area.
Diagnosis of periostitis
Periostitis can sometimes be detected on radiography, but most often a simple clinical examination is sufficient: palpation often reveals one or more nodules, rarely there is swelling or a rise in skin temperature.
It also exacerbates pain in the marked areas. We can also highlight “misuse of the forefoot and toes during thrusting, deterioration of the inner arch, and hypocompression of the posterior compartment.”
Not to be confused with a stress fracture from tibial paralysis.
Causes of periostitis
Periostitis classically occurs as a result of excessive traction of the muscles inserted into the periosteum of the tibial membrane. There are two main causes that can cause shin splints:
Direct trauma to the front leg. This type of shock preferentially affects skaters and football players;
Multiple microtraumas, after excessive use of the anti-valgus muscles of the foot. This is the case for runners, walkers, or even dancers. In fact, approximately 90% of periostitis can be explained in this way. Poor footwear or a training floor that is not suitable for sports (too hard or too soft) can cause long-term periostitis.
Shin splints: any treatment?
The recovery time for shin splints is generally between 2 and 6 weeks.
Treatment for shin pain begins as soon as a shin splint is diagnosed. Here are the possible physical therapy treatments:
icing the painful area (for anti-inflammatory and analgesic purposes, for at least 30 minutes);
massage of contracted muscle parts (except for the presence of a hematoma);
Negative extensions
active exercises
tacit link
He wears orthotics.
Manufacture of a pair of orthotic insoles (by a podiatrist).
Rest and return to sports
The patient should not exercise during the first two weeks of the recovery period. It is generally recommended to resume running, jogging on grass, and skipping rope from the fifth week.