Shin splints are the condition characterized by pain in the front bone of lower leg caused by weight-bearing activities and exercises. It is most commonly seen in runners, dancers, athletes, and military trainers. Its symptoms include pain and swelling in the tibia bone. It is not a serious problem as it usually remains during and after exercises and provoking activities. It is usually relieved by rest and avoidance of provoking symptoms. The condition can go worse if the provoking activities are not stopped.
What Is The Best Medicine For Shin Splints?
Shin splints are a condition marked by infrequent pain in the front of the lower leg at the shin bone. The pain lies in between the knee and ankle in the mid portion of the tibia bone of the lower leg. This condition is also called medial tibial stress syndrome. It can appear in both the legs. The pain is not always present and is not severe all the time.
Shin splints do not hurt all the time. Pain is felt during exercise or physical activity session. It is triggered by exercises and repetitive strain on the legs due to physical activities. It can become so severe in some cases that it prevents the patient to perform any activity. Due to repetitive strenuous activities, the bones, muscles, and joints attached to the bone get stressed out and healing and repair process gets delayed.
The best medicines for shin splints are:
Rest is the best medicine for shin splints. Rest provides sufficient time to heal the shin bone without new strain. It should be done for two to three weeks. It is recommended all the activities that can provoke its symptoms should be stopped. These activities include overdoing exercises, hard and repetitive running. Walking on hard surfaces or uneven surfaces should also be avoided. Exercises like swimming, biking, etc. are allowed for shin splints as these exercises do not exert pressure or stress on the shin bone. You can also walk at a slow pace for short intervals with resting at these intervals.
Anti-Inflammatory Medicines help remarkably to reduce painful swelling. These medicines are naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin. These medicines are considered to be the best medicine for shin splints. They should be used cautiously only under the prescription of a physician as these drugs can cause side effects. Their side effects include bleeding and ulcers.
Other ways to treat shin splints are:
- Ice application for 20 minutes several times a day can improve shin splints condition by controlling pain and swelling in the affected bone.
- Stretching and strengthening exercises for shin splints releases the strain on the overstretched muscles or tendons around the shin bone. Toe raises can also help.
- Massage and heat therapy assist in the healing process by relieving pain in the deep tissues and muscles around the shin bone.
- Switching to well-fitted footwear and arch supports can also prevent shin splints to a great extent.
Shin Splints Causes
Repetitive over-straining activities cause inflammation of muscles and connective tissues and tiny cracks in the shin bone. These activities are-
- Strenuous Exercises-its duration, intensity, and frequency
- Running- especially on hard and uneven surfaces such as hills, concrete, etc
- Dancing
- Athletes in Sports like basketball, tennis, etc
- Military training
Shin Splints Symptoms
- Pain in one or both the legs
- Dull or sharp aching pain in the front of the lower leg
- Pain during or after exercises
- Pain is ameliorated with rest
- Pain when any activity exerts pressure on the shin bone
- It sometimes causes localized swelling of the bone
- Muscle pain
- Numbness and weakness in the feet
In severe cases, the shin may appear hot and extremely painful even at rest.
Conclusion
Shin splints represent a painful condition of the shin bone. It is triggered by overdoing exercises and other strenuous activities. Rest and inflammatory medicines are considered as the best medicine for shin splints.
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