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Shin pain
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
The term "shin splints" describes cases of non-specific pain in the shins that occurs while running.
Repetitive impacts from jogging or running often cause pain in the shin area. This pain is sometimes the result of a specific injury (e.g., tibial stress fracture caused by weight-bearing, compartment syndrome, tibial periostitis, excessive foot pronation). Often, no specific cause can be found. In such cases, the term "shin splints" is used.
[ Symptoms and diagnosis
Shin splints can be felt in the front or back of the shin and typically begin within the first few minutes of running, gradually decreasing as you move. If shin pain persists at rest, it may indicate another cause, such as a tibial stress fracture.
During the examination, severe pain in the area of the anterior muscle group is usually noted, sometimes combined with pain upon palpation along the anterior surface of the bone.
X-rays are usually unremarkable, regardless of the cause. If a stress fracture is suspected, a bone CT scan is used to establish the diagnosis. Exercise-induced compartment syndrome is diagnosed by increased intracompartmental pressure measured with a special manometer.
Treatment for Shin Pain
Running should be stopped until the pain in the shins has resolved. Treatment in the initial stages includes ice, NSAIDs, and stretching the anterior and posterior calf muscles. During the resting phase of treatment, deconditioning can be minimized by using similar exercises that do not require repetitive full-axial-weight-bearing activity on the limbs.
Once symptoms have subsided, a gradual return to running is recommended. Wearing orthopedic shoes with a rigid heel and supportive arch helps immobilize the foot and ankle while running and can promote recovery and prevent recurrence of symptoms. You should also avoid running on hard surfaces (such as paved paths). Performing anterior calf exercises by dorsiflexing the ankle against resistance improves function and helps prevent future development of this pathological condition.