Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is a shin injury?
- How common is this?
- Signs & symptoms
- What are the signs and symptoms of a shin injury?
- When should I see a doctor?
- Cause
- What causes shin injuries?
- Overpronation as a cause of shin injury
- Risk factors
- What increases my risk for this condition?
- Medicines & Medicines
- What are my treatment options for shin injuries?
- What are the usual tests to diagnose this condition?
- Home remedies
- What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat shin injuries?
Definition
What is a shin injury?
Shin injury, or tibial stress syndrome, is a painful condition along the front or inside of the leg below the knee. Overworked muscles, joints and bone tissue due to increased activity.
Mild symptoms that appear such as muscle inflammation, while in severe cases can be accompanied by a slight stretch in the leg bones. This condition is one of the most common injuries that occur during sports.
How common is this?
Shin injuries are most common in athletes who add strength and change their training routines. Increased activity of overworking muscles, tendons, and bone tissue causes this condition.
Signs & symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of a shin injury?
The symptom of a shin injury is pain along the shin. The foot that is pressed down can cause pain. You may feel mild pain or swelling.
Initially, the pain stops when you stop jogging or exercising. But then, the pain comes back continuously even after you stop doing this activity.
People with shin injuries will experience some of the following symptoms:
- Dull pain in the front of the lower leg
- Pain that develops during exercise
- Pain on both sides of the shin
- Muscle ache
- Pain along the inside of the lower leg
- Tenderness or pain along the inside of the lower leg
- Swelling in the lower leg (usually mild, if present)
- Numbness and weakness in the legs.
There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.
When should I see a doctor?
You should call your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Pain that occurs after an accident;
- The shin becomes inflamed;
- Pain even when resting.
If you are being treated for leg pain, you should call your doctor if:
- Resting, cold compresses, and using drugs on the market do not reduce symptoms;
- The swelling got worse.
If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.
Cause
What causes shin injuries?
Shin injuries are caused by inflammation (tissue irritation) in the muscles, ligaments and outer tissue of the bone. Causes include excessive muscle movement, tension in the Achilles joint, weak ankle muscles, flat feet, bent legs, and increased exercise intensity.
Walking down a hill or on an inclined surface, doing sports that have a sudden start and stop (basketball, tennis), training too often or too long and shoes that don't fit can cause shin injuries.
Quoted from Medical News Today, many experts believe that a series of tibial injuries caused this injury. Some of these can include:
- Tendinopathy, which is tendon disease
- Periosteal remodeling, namely bone growth and regeneration.
Several muscles may be involved in a shin injury, namely the posterior tibialis (inside of the ankle), tibialis anterior (running along the shinbone and top of the foot), and soleus (lower calf).
Overpronation as a cause of shin injury
Overpronation, which is when your ankle turns inward when you stand or walk, is also known as a cause of shin injury.
This change in position puts more arches of the foot into contact with the ground. This position also causes more weight on the inside of the foot (medial) than on the outer edge of the foot (lateral).
This abnormal movement causes the muscles to tire more quickly and may put additional stress on the shins.
Risk factors
What increases my risk for this condition?
Certain factors increase your risk of developing a shin injury, namely:
- Profession: athletes, especially novice athletes
- Terrain or environment: exercise on a hard surface with sudden initial and stopping movements; or walking on uneven roads, such as hills
- Participate in training: You did military training
- Foot malformation: You have flat feet or arched feet
Medicines & Medicines
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
What are my treatment options for shin injuries?
The goal of treatment is to return the situation to its original state as safely as possible. Activities that are started too quickly can lead to more serious injury.
As a treatment option, you can use the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevation). It is important to rest and avoid activities that can cause this condition.
Use an ice pack and massage for 20 minutes, three times a day for 2 to 3 days or until the pain goes away. Stretching exercises can strengthen muscles such as lifting your legs. Use a pillow to rest your feet. You can also be treated by a physiotherapist.
Other steps to help treat foot pain include choosing shoes that fit the arch (orthotic), changing the exercise (such as cycling or swimming), adjusting the intensity of the exercise and gradually increasing the exercise.
Anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin) can reduce pain but cause stomach problems, so you should take them immediately after eating.
What are the usual tests to diagnose this condition?
The doctor will make a diagnosis based on history and clinical examination. Diagnostic imaging, such as x-rays, bone scans or MRI can help find other problems such as fractures.
Home remedies
What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat shin injuries?
Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with shin injuries:
- Stop activities that cause pain unless your doctor tells you to do it again.
- Make sure you do the exercise in the right way.
- Warm up before exercising, such as aerobics. Light stretches before and after exercise or exercise.
- Strengthens leg muscles to adjust the balance of the body.
If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.