Causes of Shin Splints - By: Duncan Jones

Shin splints are a painful condition which has an effect on the lower leg where the knee and the ankle link. Shin splints trigger harm to the tendons, muscles and tissues which are connected to the lower leg bones. Due to this harm, it causes inflammation (pain, redness and swelling) in the lower leg. Shin splints are also known as Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS). There is a cure for shin splints and many treatments but it may require one to six weeks or more to become perfectly right and pain-free again.

There are many causes of shin splints but they can be mainly categorized into two parts.

1) Overload
2) Biomechanical Inefficiencies.

Overload

Shin splints are normally related to sports which require a lot of running and weight-lifting activity. Still, it may not be due to the extra weight or force that is given on the tendons and muscles of the lower leg, but it can be due to the impact of power related with weight bearing activities and running. Shin splints are not caused only due to running, but the rapid shock force of recurring landings and variation of direction creates the problem. Due to fatigue and overload, the muscles and tendons refuse to tolerate the harmful shock force.

Various other overload causes include:

• Exercising on rough ground.
• Starting an exercise program after a long gap.
• Working out on stiff surfaces, like concrete or asphalt.
• Exercising without enough warming and stretching.
• Extreme downhill and uphill running.
• Exercising in worn out or improper fitting of shoes.
• Raising the duration or intensity of exercise very speedily.

Biomechanical Inefficiencies

Shin splints that are caused due to biomechanical inefficiencies are mainly due to flat (pronated) feet. The occurrence of pronation is caused when the heal hits the ground. The foot rolls out, and then keeps on rolling inward. Rolling of foot and the ankle continuously inward leads to the occurrence of Over-Pronation. Continuous inward rolling causes the tibia to bend, which causes the muscles of the lower leg to over stretch.

There are various other biomechanical causes including:

• Not running properly.
• The lower leg having rigid and stiff muscles.
• Running with an extremely forward lean.
• Running with an extremely backward lean.
• Running continuously by keeping your toes pointing outwards.
• Resting on the balls of your foot.

There can be other causes also, but above are the major ones.

About the Author

Cure For Shin Splints are also known as Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS). There is a cure for shin splints and many treatments but it may require one to six weeks or more to become perfectly right and pain-free again and also you can find out how you prevent Cure For Shin Splints.

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