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- $Unique_ID{BRK00093}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{What are Shin Splints?}
- $Subject{overuse exercise sports Musculoskeletal System Connective Tissue Shin
- Splints splint stress injury tendons tibia bone calf tendon muscles muscle
- leg legs stresses injuries tibias bones calves}
- $Volume{M-18}
- $Log{
- Shin Splints*0006206.scf
- Leg and Foot Pains Caused by Running*0006207.scf}
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- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- What are Shin Splints?
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- QUESTION: What are shin splints and how do I deal with them?
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- ANSWER: Shin splints are one type of overuse injury, but one that is often
- misunderstood or misdiagnosed. The condition may actually be a group of
- syndromes rather than just one, but most physicians agree that it is stress
- injury to the muscles and tendons in front and behind the tibia bone of the
- shin. It may be caused by muscle imbalance between the strong muscles of the
- calf and the weaker muscles of the shin.
- The pain of shin splints starts out mild, gets worse during exercise such
- as running or aerobic dance, and goes away with rest. In most people, shin
- splints come on after weeks of repetitious exercise, but cases have been known
- to appear after one very intense exercise session by an untrained person.
- Rest is the best remedy for shin splints, since it allows the inflamed
- tendons and muscles to heal. This should be followed by muscle strengthening
- and flexibility exercises for the entire lower leg.
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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