Shin Splints Medial (Inside of Shin)

Also known as or related to: medial tibial stress syndrome, MTSS, shin pain, shin soreness, shin bone pain, inside shin pain

Description

Medial shin splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome) describes pain along the inside of the shin bone. It is one of the most common running injuries and is particularly prevalent in those new to running or those who have rapidly increased their training load.

Symptoms

Pain is felt along the inside edge of the shin bone, typically in the lower two thirds of the shin. The pain is usually worse at the start of a run, may ease during the run, and then return afterwards. In more severe cases, pain can be present with walking or even at rest.

Causes

The pain arises from the muscles and connective tissue that attach along the inside of the shin bone being overloaded. Poor foot function, training errors (too much too soon), hard surfaces, and inadequate footwear are all common contributing factors.

Treatments

Treatment focuses on reducing the load through the shin and addressing the underlying causes. This may include footwear assessment, orthotic therapy, training load modification, strapping, and a graduated return to running program.