Sports Injuries and Prevention

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Sports Injuries and Prevention

Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome)

NEWS:

ARTICLES:

Treating and Preventing Shin Splints

JOURNAL ARTICLES:

Etiologic factors in the development of medial tibial stress syndrome: a review of the literature. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: Recent studies have supported the view that medial tibial stress syndrome is not an inflammatory process of the periosteum but instead a stress reaction of bone that has become painful.”

Fatigue bone injuries causing anterior lower leg pain. (Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2006 )

Foot medial longitudinal-arch deformation during quiet standing and gait in subjects with medial tibial stress syndrome. (J Foot Ankle Surg. 2008 )

Medial tibial stress syndrome in high school cross-country runners: incidence and risk factors. (J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2007)

Medial tibial stress syndrome: evidence-based prevention. (J Athl Train. 2008 ) “Commentary Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is one of the most common lower leg injuries in sports. Some studies show it accounting for 6% to 16% of all running injuries and also being responsible for as much as 50% of all lower leg injuries reported in select populations.1,2 Athletic trainers have been attempting to prevent MTSS through various methods for years. But which methods have worked? What exactly causes “shin splints”? Can we prevent MTSS? As clinicians working with running athletes or patients, we must thoroughly understand MTSS in order to develop effective prevention methods. … Although no single prevention method has been proven consistently effective for MTSS, several methods have proved useful: shock-absorbent insoles,13 pronation-control insoles (specifically controlling navicular drop),10 and graduated running programs.14,15 Stretching of the lower leg musculature has been consistently proven to not prevent MTSS.13,14,16,17 Shock-absorbent insoles are one of the few prevention methods that have shown promise.3,13 A systematic review13 noted that in 4 trials evaluating the use of shock-absorbing insoles versus control groups, fewer tibial stress injuries occurred in the shock-absorbent insole groups. Because a weak or fatigued muscle cannot absorb shock and dissipate ground reaction forces as well as a strong, rested muscle, ground reaction forces are transmitted to the bone, increasing the risk of injury.”

Section modulus is the optimum geometric predictor for stress fractures and medial tibial stress syndrome in both male and female athletes. (Am J Sports Med. 2008)

TREATMENT:

Endurance of the ankle joint plantar flexor muscles in athletes with medial tibial stress syndrome: a case-control study. (J Sci Med Sport. 2007 ) “These results suggest that athletes with MTSS have endurance deficits of the ankle joint plantar flexor muscles. Rehabilitation of athletes with MTSS should comprise training designed to enhance endurance of the lower limb musculature, including the ankle joint plantar flexors. It is not known whether a lack of endurance of the ankle joint plantar flexor muscles is the cause or effect of MTSS.”

Shin splints: painful to have and to treat. (Compr Ther. 2006 )

GUIDELINES:

INTERNET SITES:

A Patient's Guide to Shin Splints

NIH - Shin splints (Medical Encyclopedia) “Tibial shin splints are very common and affect both recreational and trained athletes. Runners are often affected. There are two types, tibial periostitis and posterior tibial shin splints. In tibial periostitis the bone itself is tender. Anterior compartment syndrome affects the outer side of the front of the leg. Stress fractures usually produce localized, sharp pain with tenderness 1 or 2 inches below the knee. A stress fracture is likely to occur 2 or 3 weeks into a new training program or after beginning a harder training program.“

Shin Pain (Shin Splints)

Shin Splints

Shin splints

Shin Splints - Understanding what causes shin splints

Shin Splints (Patient UK)

Shin splints (Periostitis) “Shin splints is the general name given to pain at the front of the lower leg. Shin splints is not a diagnosis in itself but a description of symptoms of which there could be a number of causes. The most common cause is inflammation of the periostium of the tibia (sheath surrounding the bone). Traction forces occur from the muscles of the lower leg on the periostium causing shin pain and inflammation.”

Shin splints (Mayo)

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