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Shin splints are a sneaky injury.
More importantly, they can lead to serious problems if you ignore them.
Heres what you better know if youre dealing with this injury.
a physical therapist atCincinnati Children’s Hospital
What are shin splints?
Its not super clear why shin splints happen.
But we do know that it is an inflammatory reaction in the tissue.
We all need time for our bones to recover to manage the workload, she says.
That sounds scary, but its just a spectrum, she explains.
The muscles there will feel tender to the touch.
They might also hurt during high-impact workouts like running and dancing where your foots landing on the ground forcefully.
Pain within the first few minutes of the activity is really common, Dr. Ligon says.
How shin splints get diagnosed
Dr. Ligon says that shin splints are a diagnosis of exclusion.
a physical therapist atCincinnati Children’s Hospital
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That means doing exercises likecalf raisesandtracing the alphabet with your toes.
But its a Band-Aid, she says.
Having strong core and glute muscles will help your body better absorb the impact forces, she explains.
This is particularly true if youre starting a new workout or training program thats going to strain the area.
Dont escalate something that doesnt have to get worse, Dr. Filipa says.
(Here are a few moreshin splint prevention tipsthat may come in handy!)
FAQ
What can be mistaken for shin splints?
Shin splints symptoms can be somewhat similar to two more serious problems: stress fractures and compartment syndrome.
Do shin splints heal naturally?
They wont heal naturally without intervention if theres no change to the training plan, Dr. Ligon says.
But, they could get better on their own with just rest.
Strengthening is the most effective long-term [strategy], she says.
Can I still run with shin splints?
Yes, you canrun with shin splintsyou might just need to pull back on your weekly mileage.
A possible contributive role.
Int J Rheum Dis.
2018 Apr;21(4):788-795. doi: 10.1111/1756-185X.13253.
Epub 2018 Jan 5.
J Bone Miner Res.
2008 May;23(5):741-9. doi: 10.1359/jbmr.080102.
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