Shin splints, the catch-all term for lower leg pain that occurs below the knee either on the front outside part of the leg (anterior shin splints) or the inside of the leg (medial shin splints), are the bane of many athletes, runners, tennis players, even dancers. They often plague beginning runners who do not build their mileage gradually enough or seasoned runners who abruptly change their workout regimen, suddenly adding too much mileage, for example, or switching from running on flat surfaces to hills.
The nature of shin splints, also known as medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), most often can be captured in four words: too much, too soon.
Pain in the lower leg could also be a stress fracture (an incomplete crack in the bone), which is a far more serious injury than shin splints. The pain of shin splints is also more generalized than that of a stress fracture. The most common site for shin splints is the medial area (the inside of the shin). Anterior shin splints (toward the outside of the leg) usually result from an imbalance between the calf muscles and the muscles in the front of your leg and often afflict beginners.
To speed the healing, you can:
Rest The Leg Avoid Putting Weight On The Leg As Best You Can. If The Pain Is Severe, You May Need Crutches Until It Goes Away. Follow Your Doctor's Advice.
Ice Your Leg To Reduce Pain And Swelling. Do It For 20-30 Minutes Every Three To Four Hours For Two To Three Days, Or Until The Pain Is Gone.
Take Anti-Inflammatory Painkillers Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Like Ibuprofen Or Voveran Will Help With Pain And Swelling. However, These Drugs May Have Side Effects. They Should Be Used Only Short Term Unless Your Doctor Specifically Says Otherwise.
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