Article on Sports Injuries
Common Sports Injuries:
Shin Splints
Here is the summary on shin splints, also known as tibial tendonitis
Symptoms
Pain located below the knee involving anterior or posterior leg typically reported several minutes after exercise begins or soon after completion.
Pain reported as deep, aching or throbbing; onset gradual although intensifies as exercise continues.
Etiology
Overloading phenomenon; typically secondary to running, jumping on hard surfaces or overuse. Due to periosteal inflammation associated with overuse injury. Leg muscles being torn away from bony insertions. Inflammation from muscle pulling at myotendinous origin.
Diagnosis
Anterior Compartment
Occurs with over-training when running hills, pain increases mostly when running downhill. Lateral Compartment
Affects athletes with over pronation or excessive activity with peroneal muscle groups.
Posterior tibial shin splints most common.
Seen often in runners and aerobic dancers.
Treatment Goals |
Promote soft tissue healing, relieve pain and prevent recurrence, increase pain free ranges of motion, quickly change to rehabilitation and restoring function.
Rest affected area; stop aggravating activities; reduce running time, alter running style.
In addition to clinical treatment: Acute - Ice, ice massage, ultrasound for acute phase; for sub-acute, apply various massage techniques; stretch affected muscles, including quads and hamstrings.
