Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome: The Sneaky Culprit Behind Shin Splints

If you’ve ever felt like your shins are waging war on you, you might be dealing with Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS)—but don’t worry, it’s not as ominous as it sounds. In the world of injuries, MTSS is the fancy term for what most people call shin splints. Let’s break down what it is, what causes it, and how you can kick it to the curb!

What Is Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome?

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome sounds like a medical jargon party, but it’s essentially an overuse injury. Imagine your shins are the battleground and the tibia (that’s the big bone in your lower leg) is taking a beating from too much running or jumping. This constant pounding can lead to pain and inflammation along the inner edge of your shin. It’s a common issue for runners, jumpers, and even military recruits. If you’ve ever felt like you’re developing a personal relationship with your shin pain, you’re not alone. About 13.6% to 20% of runners and up to 35% of military recruits get a taste of MTSS.

How Do You Know If You’ve Got It?

Here’s the lowdown on the symptoms:

• Pain Location: You’ll feel pain along the inner edge of your tibia, mostly in the lower two-thirds of your shin.
• When It Hurts: The pain usually strikes during or after physical activities like running or jumping and will ease up with some rest.
• Pain Profile: It’s more of an ache than a sharp pain and won’t usually come with cramping, burning, or numbness in your foot.

What Causes This Shin Pain?

MTSS is often triggered by increasing the intensity or volume of high-impact exercises. So if you’ve recently ramped up your running mileage or jumped into a new workout routine, your shins might be feeling the strain. Some people are more prone due to factors like being female, having a history of shin splints, a high BMI, or poor foot mechanics.

How Can Physiotherapy Help?

A good physiotherapist can work magic on MTSS! Here’s how:

• Education: They’ll guide you on how to adjust your daily activities to avoid aggravating your shins.
• Therapies: Ice massage, ultrasound, periosteal pecking (sounds like a fun dance move, doesn’t it?), and shockwave therapy have all proven effective.

Self-Help Tips for Shin Splints

You don’t have to just sit there and hope the pain goes away. Here’s what you can do:

• Rest Up: Cut back on high-impact activities and give your shins a break.
• Stay Nutritionally Sound: Ensure you’re getting enough vitamin D and calcium to support bone health.
• Footwear Matters: Make sure you’re wearing supportive shoes to help alleviate the stress on your shins.

When to Get Professional Help

If your shin pain isn’t playing nice or if you’re not sure what’s causing it, a visit to a physical therapist or rehabilitation nurse might be in order. They can offer alternative therapies and check if any structural issues are contributing to your discomfort.

If you’re tired of dealing with shin splints and want to get back to your favorite activities pain-free, reach out to us. We’re here to help you bounce back and keep your shins happy and healthy!

For more advice or to schedule a physiotherapy appointment, don’t hesitate to contact us. Let’s put those shin splints in their place and get you back on track!