Shin Splints

Shin splints are a painful condition that occurs to lower legs during running activities.

It can get to the point of bringing tears to the person. Unfortunately, shin splints have ended the activity level of so many people. The pain is simply not worth the reward. Let’s explore the who, what, when, and why of shin splints.

What are shin splints?

Shin splints are a painful condition that occurs to the outer front/side of the legs. Usually, it occurs during running and never at rest. This is an exercise-induced condition.

What causes shin splints?

Shin splints are pretty much an older person’s version of “growing” pains. The underlying cause has to do with a weakened foot structure. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred a person will have ankle bone instability. The ankle bone partially dislocates on the heel causing the joints within the foot to be in a weakened, rather than strengthened position. The ligaments sense the excessive strain which then sends a signal to the spine that triggers the muscles to the outer leg to contract to stabilize the weakened joints of the foot during walking and running. Normal muscle activity should never cause pain but with shin splints, the muscles are working more than overtime to keep up.

Muscles are made up of billions of cells that contract. If they are forced to contract more than usual, for a long period, then a warning signal of pain is sent to let you know there is an issue.

Why are shin splints a bad thing?

Shin splints are not a life-threatening condition but they can severely affect your lifestyle and quality of life. If your reward for exercise is severe pain in your legs, you will quickly learn to be less active. If you don’t find another form of exercise, this will lead to a decreased metabolism. Eventually, weight gain will occur which can lead to many other diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, and even heart disease. What is the number one recommended form of treatment for those diseases? Walk/run/exercise – so it is a spiral out of control.

What is the best form of treatment?

The goal is to find out the underlying cause. If you only address the symptoms without eliminating/reducing the underlying cause, the symptoms will reoccur. That is exactly what happens with shin splints. People try all forms of non-surgical treatments and many may experience relief, temporary relief. They find the best way to not experience pain from shin splints is just to be less active.

The main cause of shin splints is related to ankle bone instability so it makes sense to stabilize the ankle bone on the heel bone while still allowing a natural ankle bone motion. The only option that can accomplish the goal is HyProCure. This is the only internal option that can effectively stabilize the ankle bone while still allowing the natural motion. The stability of the foot is increased. The muscles of the leg become more efficient and the chances of getting shin splints are lessened.

What happens if I don’t treat the underlying cause of my shin splints?

Shin splints are one of many potential symptoms related to ankle bone instability. Shin splints may eventually disappear but ankle bone instability is still at work destroying other parts of the body. The sooner the excessive strain to the feet, knees, hips, and back is reduced or eliminated the better. There is a point of no return when the tissues will become severely and permanently damaged.