Shin Splints — Lower Leg Pain
Shin splints can cause aching or sharp pain along the lower leg, especially during or after walking, running, or sport. They are usually linked to overload and respond well to assessment and appropriate management.
What Are Shin Splints?
Shin splints usually develop when the lower leg is exposed to repetitive strain without enough recovery time. The pain is most commonly felt along the inner border of the shinbone and can affect runners, walkers, and people returning to activity after a rest period.
Because shin pain can overlap with more serious bone stress problems, proper assessment matters if symptoms are severe, persist at rest, or are getting progressively worse rather than settling with modified activity.
Treatment may include gait analysis, training advice, load modification, footwear guidance, orthoses where appropriate, and strengthening or rehabilitation exercise.
Common signs
- Aching or sharp pain along the inner or front of the lower leg
- Pain that starts during or after activity
- Tenderness along the shinbone
- Symptoms worse with increased training load or harder surfaces
- Pain that may ease with rest but keeps returning with activity
Assessment & Treatment Options
Assessment covers foot mechanics, gait, loading history, and training patterns. Treatment is guided by findings and may include orthoses, footwear advice, and load management strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes shin splints?
They are commonly linked to overload, training changes, insufficient recovery, footwear issues, and biomechanical factors. A sudden increase in mileage or intensity is a frequent trigger.
Should I stop all running?
Impact activity may need to be reduced, but the best plan depends on severity. In many cases, training can be modified rather than stopped completely while recovery takes place.
Can insoles help?
They can help in some cases where foot mechanics are contributing to repeated lower leg stress. This is best determined following a proper gait and biomechanical assessment.
Not Sure What Is Causing Your Pain?
Book an assessment with our HCPC-registered podiatrists and we will identify the cause and recommend the right treatment plan. No GP referral needed.
No GP referral needed · HCPC registered podiatrists · 4 Yorkshire clinics