Part 1: An introduction into Shin Splints: A right pain in the……SHIN!

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What are shin splints?


For starters, like many other “diagnoses” , shin splints isn’t a diagnosis it is a group of different conditions that essentially cause shin pain (Batt 1995).
So if someone says that you have shin splints you could quite easily say “thanks for the pointless observation that I have shin pain and tell me what I really have!” I’m sure you wouldn’t but it makes my point.

So what are the conditions under the heading shin splints then?

Most people think of a stress fracture when you say shin splints but this is only one potential issue. There are actually over 30 conditions that come under the umbrella term of ‘shin splints’.  Some are super rare, so not worth discussing in this blog but we will discuss the more common ones in detail over the coming articles. Trust me if we didn't then this article could turn into a novel!

It is best to split shin splints up into the structures affected. These are as follows:

Bone related


Muscle & Tendon related


Vascular and Neural related


We will discuss shin splints under each one of these headings.

So lots to cover in the next few articles!

Keep tuned for the next installment of the shin splints blog series, where we will discuss in more depth the various shin splints conditions to help you if you have any of them.

If you need any further information or would like to book an appointment then call Hawkes Physiotherapy on 01782 771861 or 07866195914


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