Shin splints is a common challenge for anyone living an active life on their feet. Podiatrists in Adelaide share how you can prepare yourself against signs of shin splints and how they can affect you.

31st July 2019, Adelaide

Do you love to lead an active life where you can involve yourself in a daily routine full of exercise? If yes, then you must be no stranger to experiencing occasional sharp pangs around your shin bone, or lower leg muscles, leading to soreness. If you regularly experience such pain, then the chances are that you have shin splints and you need to visit a podiatrist in Adelaide or wherever you reside.

How do shin splints occur?

Shin splints are a result of the excessive application of force on your shin bones and the tissues that surround it. Excessive force can accelerate a tendency to swell in your muscles, which in turn pressurises your bone. Eventually, this builds up to pain and inflammation.

If you ever fracture your shin bone, then the resultant stress reaction can also cause shin splinters. So, given the serosity of the situation, you must search ‘podiatrist near me’, and head for their clinic.

 What are the risk factors involved?

Shin splints do not necessarily happen when you are performing strenuous exercises only. They can be a result of everyday tasks that slowly but steadily wear down the integrity of your shin bone. Even if these activities do not seem too tasking, they can certainly lead you to a shin splint scenario. Podiatrists in Adelaide and other cities warn individuals to be wary of the following risk factors that cause shin splints:

i. Running downhill

ii. Lacking flexibility in muscles

iii. Weak muscles in the buttocks and thigh region

iv. Running on uneven terrain

v. Running on concrete and other hard surfaces

vi. Using ill-fitting or worn-out shoe

vii. Extreme sports such as football and skiing

Shin splints are not something you can always prepare for as they can occur even without these risk factors. Performing any activity on tired legs can lead to a shin splint. This issue challenges dancers, athletes, soldiers and even regular folks with a flat foot-form.

How to detect signs of shin splints?

Shin splints offer several tell-tale signs of occurrence. Here are some of the most common manifestations of the health problem:

  • When the front portion of your lower leg starts to throb dully.
  • When you experience pain in the same region after exercising.
  • When you start experiencing pain on either side of your shin bone.
  • When there is a dull pain, tenderness or soreness along the inner part of the lower leg.
  • If you are regularly experiencing numbness and weakness in your lower legs.

If you are experiencing any of this or feel you may have a shin splint already, then search ‘podiatrist near me and head for the nearest clinic.