Shin Splints

Shin Splints Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

What are Shin Splints?

 

The shin bone (also known as tibia) runs through the length of your lower leg. Your tibia is the colossal bone that begins under the knee and runs down to the front side of your leg.

Shin splints are also referred to as tibia stress syndrome. The condition occurs when excessive stress is exerted on the tibia. Shin splints can cause pain along the lower part of the shin bone.

There are two major types of shin splints, based on which muscles and areas of the shin are affected. Medial tibial stress syndrome is one of the most common types of shin splints. It is an inflammation of the bone tissue, muscles, and tendons around your tibia. Pain generally occurs along the border of your tibia, where muscles attach to the bone.

The other type of shin splint is known as anterior tibial stress syndrome. It describes the condition where the pain tends to travel along the outside and front edge of the shinbone.

Symptoms of Shin Splints

Common symptoms of shin splints include:

  • Dull or aching pain on the front part of your legs
  • Shins that are too painful even to the touch
  • Pain that worsens after or during exercise
  • Mild swelling around your lower legs

The shin splint symptoms above may appear like other medical problems or conditions. Always schedule a consultation with your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis.

What Causes Shin Splints?

Intense physical workouts commonly cause shin splints, which are caused by the repetitive stress exerted on your shinbone and the connective tissues that help attach your muscles to that bone. They usually occur after challenging sports, repetitive activity, or exercise. This routine action can cause your muscles, thin layer of tissue, and tendons to be inflamed, thus causing throbbing pain.

When your shin bone doesn’t heal completely, the inflammation can become worse and cause severe pain. Such repeated stress can occur for various reasons, including beginning a new exercise regimen or increasing your level of physical workout quickly.

Some people are more likely to get a splint than others. You are at a higher risk of developing shin splints if:

  • You are a runner, particularly if you are starting a new running program
  • You suddenly increase the frequency, intensity, or duration of the exercise
  • You usually run on uneven terrain, such as hard surfaces or hills like concrete
  • You are a military officer
  • You have high arches or flat feet

Shockwave Therapy for Shin Splints Treatment

Shockwave therapy is a non-surgical, non-invasive procedure applied to treat various medical conditions, including shin splints. It is generally known as extracorporeal (outside of your body) shockwave therapy.

Shockwaves are sound waves that transfer high energy to affected tissues and areas during the various stages of injury, assisting in stimulating a healing response. The acoustic waves are produced by compressed air, which an experienced shin splints therapist later applies to the impacted area through a handheld device.

The energy produced through shockwave therapy promotes reparative and regeneration processes of the tendons, bones, and other softer tissues. Shockwave therapy for shin splints is applied by following a specific laid-down protocol.

The therapist will conduct a history-taking exercise to isolate the region that is painful and start to understand the clinical history. It is crucial to ensure that the problem being treated is actually shin splints and is treatable with extracorporeal shockwave therapy.

Shockwave therapy for shin splint treatment comes with numerous advantages, including:

  • New blood vessel formation: This helps boost blood oxygenation and supply to the affected area. Faster healing of damaged areas is one result.
  • Trigger points release: These are typically found in the legs and neck, and trigger points in these areas can cause severe pain.
  • Reduced risk: Shockwave carries minimal risk and is an effective and faster treatment for shin splint conditions.
  • Doesn’t need medications: It is a non-invasive procedure that doesn’t require patients to take additional drugs.
  • It is affordable: Shockwave therapy for shin splints is inexpensive, and as an added advantage, you will not have to miss extra time from work for recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. How long will shockwave therapy take to show results?

Generally, most shockwave therapy treatments for shin splints will resolve within 3 to 4 sessions of approximately 30 minutes. However, this can depend on how the condition presents itself. Making sure that you visit your therapist quickly to have the condition diagnosed can minimize the number of sessions required.

Q. Is the shockwave therapy for shin splints painful, or are there any notable side effects?

There are no side effects associated with this shin splint therapy. There can be some minor tenderness and slight discomfort during the session. However, any discomfort should not exceed 20%. We can regulate that as the therapy is customized specifically to our patients and what they can bear.

Q. Why Choose WaveTech Therapy Knoxville for Shin Splints Treatments?

Not all shockwave therapies for shin splints are created equally, so research carefully before committing to any therapist in Knoxville. Some providers may charge exorbitant amounts for shin splint shockwave therapy yet deliver treatment on untested, cheap machines that will not produce the kind of pressures needed to generate a treatment impact.

At WaveTech Therapy of Knoxville, we don’t compromise on quality and have, therefore, bought top-of-the-line devices to deliver our shockwave treatment for shin splints. We have the best experts in shockwave therapy in Knoxville, TN.

Q. Are you interested in Shin Splint Shockwave Therapy Services in Knoxville TN?

If you are suffering from shin splint pain and are searching for an effective and safe treatment, we trust that this page has helped you understand the advantages of shockwave therapy.

At WaveTech Therapy of Knoxville, we provide quality care, including shockwave therapy, to local natives and surrounding areas. If you are interested in learning more about how shockwave therapy can help relieve your shin splint pain, schedule your free consultation with our friendly team to start your journey of feeling better today.

 

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(865) 387-9534

109 S. Northshore Dr., Suite 402 Knoxville, TN 37919

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109 S. Northshore Dr #402 Knoxville, TN 37919
865-387-9534

Military Discount

Military Discount at WaveTech Knoxville