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By admin, September 30, 2008 4:14 am

Need help with Shin Splints?

I have had shin splits for approx 2 years now, it first started when I was running but I now have it whenever I walk. I no longer run and only walk between 20-30 minutes a day but now have to stop every 5 minutes due to the pain.
I have been seeing a podiatrist who has given me stretches to do; he’s tapped my feet and also had on-going deep and soft tissue massages, none of which has helped. The pain is now affecting my daily activities, what can I do now????

Shin splints usually come down to one of a few things:
1. Training errors…training to fast too quickly
2. Inadequate rest before resuming activitity (as an example, for people who’ve developed shin splints that progressed to stress fractures, I recommend that they be completely PAIN FREE for at a month before returning to low impact/limited weight bearing exercise and least 8 weeks before returning to running)
3. Improper footware
4. Improper training surface.

If all the above have been addressed, it usually comes down to structure and mechanics of the foot…stretching is important for some, but others need strengthening…particularly of quads, hip abductors and gluteals. Finally, if the structure of the foot is abnormal, corrective or supportive (whatever the needs are) orthotics are imperitive.

I recommend you follow up with a PT who has received signficant training in the biomechanics of the foot…especially with runners.

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