Editing Shin splints (section)

{{Short description|Inflammation of the inner edge of the shin bone (tibia)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox medical condition (new)
| name            = Shin splints
| synonyms        = Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS),<ref name=OI2019/> soleus syndrome,<ref name=Res2012/> tibial stress syndrome,<ref name=Res2012/> periostitis<ref name=Res2012/>
| image           = Tibia - frontal view2.png
| alt             =
| caption         = Red area represents the [[tibia]]. Pain is generally in the inner and lower 2/3rds of tibia.
| pronounce       =
| field           = [[Sports medicine]]
| symptoms        = Pain along the inside edge of the shinbone<ref name=OI2019/>
| complications   = [[Stress fracture]]<ref name=Res2012/>
| onset           =
| duration        =
| types           =
| causes          =
| risks           = Runners, dancers, military personnel<ref name=Res2012/>
| diagnosis       = Based on symptoms, [[medical imaging]]<ref name=Res2012/>
| differential    = [[Stress fracture]], [[tendinitis]], [[exertional compartment syndrome]]<ref name=OI2019/>
| prevention      =
| treatment       = Rest with gradual return to exercise<ref name=OI2019/><ref name=Res2012/>
| medication      =
| prognosis       = Good<ref name=Res2012/>
| frequency       = 4% to 35% (at-risk groups)<ref name=Res2012/>
| deaths          =
}}
<!-- Definition and symptoms -->

A '''shin splint''', also known as '''medial tibial stress syndrome''', is pain along the inside edge of the shinbone ([[tibia]]) due to inflammation of tissue in the area.<ref name=OI2019>{{cite web |title=Shin Splints |first=Michael J. |last=Alaia |publisher=American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons |url=https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/shin-splints |website=OrthoInfo |date=August 2019 |access-date=15 November 2020}}</ref> Generally this is between the middle of the lower leg and the ankle.<ref name=Res2012/> The pain may be dull or sharp, and is generally brought on by high-impact exercise that overloads the tibia.<ref name=OI2019/> It generally resolves during periods of rest.<ref name=Stat2019/> Complications may include [[stress fracture]]s.<ref name=Res2012/>

<!-- Cause and diagnosis -->
Shin splints typically occur due to excessive [[physical activity]].<ref name=OI2019/> Groups that are commonly affected include runners, dancers, gymnasts, and military personnel.<ref name=Res2012>{{cite journal |last1=Reshef |first1=N |last2=Guelich |first2=DR |title=Medial tibial stress syndrome. |journal=Clinics in Sports Medicine |date=April 2012 |volume=31 |issue=2 |pages=273–290 |doi=10.1016/j.csm.2011.09.008 |pmid=22341017|s2cid=262469440 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lovalekar |first=Mita |last2=Hauret |first2=Keith |last3=Roy |first3=Tanja |last4=Taylor |first4=Kathryn |last5=Blacker |first5=Sam D. |last6=Newman |first6=Phillip |last7=Yanovich |first7=Ran |last8=Fleischmann |first8=Chen |last9=Nindl |first9=Bradley C. |last10=Jones |first10=Bruce |last11=Canham-Chervak |first11=Michelle |date=2021-10-01 |title=Musculoskeletal injuries in military personnel—Descriptive epidemiology, risk factor identification, and prevention |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1440244021000803 |journal=Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport |volume=24 |issue=10 |pages=963–969 |doi=10.1016/j.jsams.2021.03.016 |issn=1440-2440}}</ref> The underlying mechanism is not entirely clear.<ref name=Res2012/> Diagnosis is generally based on the symptoms, with [[medical imaging]] done to rule out other possible causes.<ref name=Res2012/>

<!-- Treatment and epidemiology -->
Shin splints are generally treated by rest followed by a gradual return to exercise over a period of weeks.<ref name=OI2019/><ref name=Res2012/><ref name=Stat2019/> Other measures such as [[nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug]]s (NSAIDs), cold packs, [[physical therapy]], and [[compression bandage|compression]] may be used.<ref name=OI2019/><ref name=Res2012/> [[Shoe insoles]] may help some people.<ref name=OI2019/> Surgery is rarely required, but may be done if other measures are not effective.<ref name=Res2012/> Rates of shin splints in at-risk groups range from 4% to 35%.<ref name=Res2012/> The condition occurs more often in women.<ref name=Res2012/> It was first described in 1958.<ref name=Res2012/>