Understanding Shin Splints: A Breakdown of MTSS and How The Severs Sleeve Facilitates Rehabilitation

Shin splints, or medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), can be a painful and debilitating condition commonly experienced by athletes, runners, and individuals engaged in high-impact activities. In this comprehensive blog post, we will explore the development of shin splints, the symptoms, potential long-term consequences, and effective treatment strategies. Additionally, we will uncover how 'The Severs Sleeve' can play a pivotal role in alleviating symptoms and aiding the recovery process.

The Development of Shin Splints:

Shin splints develop as a result of repetitive stress and microtrauma to the tissues surrounding the tibia, including the muscles, tendons, and periosteum of the bone. This leads to localised inflammation and pain along the medial (inside), posterior (back) or anterior (front) border of the shinbone. Contributing factors include excessive or uncontrolled rapid pronation of the foot, rigid cavus feet (high arches), muscle imbalances in the calf specifically the the soleus muscle, incorrect or poor footwear, inadequate conditioning, and training errors such as sudden increases in intensity and/or duration of exercise over a 4-6 week period.

Grading and Understanding Periostitis:

As shin splints progress, inflammation of the periosteum (the connective tissue layer covering the tibia) can occur, leading to a condition known as periostitis. This inflammation renders the periosteum more susceptible to stress reactions. Stress reactions represent a spectrum of severity, ranging from Grade I to Grade IV. The grades are as follows:

• Grade I: Mild inflammation and localised pain that subsides with rest
  
  
• Grade II: Increased inflammation and pain during activity, resulting in longer recovery periods
  
  
• Grade III: Significant inflammation, persistent pain during and after activity, with prolonged recovery times
  
  
• Grade IV: Stress fractures, partial or complete breaks in the bone structure, requiring extended recovery and potentially complete rest from physical activities.

Symptoms and Long-Term Consequences:

Recognising the signs and symptoms of shin splints is vital for early intervention, as progression of this condition can occur very rapidly. Common indicators you are developing shin splints include pain and tenderness along the inner border of the shinbone or the tissue just behind it, increased pain during or after physical activity that can last for minutes to hours, swelling and inflammation around the affected area of the shin bone, and a gradual progression from a dull ache to localised sharp jabbing pain. 

Neglecting early and appropriate treatment can lead to a higher risk of stress fractures, frank fractures (complete break through the bone), chronic pain syndromes, diminished athletic performance, and an increased risk of subsequent injuries to surrounding tissue or adjacent joints.

Professional Assessment and Treatment for Shin Splints:

Seeking professional help is crucial for assessing and treating shin splints. Healthcare providers, such as physiotherapists and podiatrists, conduct a comprehensive evaluation that includes a thorough examination of the affected area, a review of the medical history and training regimen, an assessment of strength and available range, a technical analysis of walking and running styles, a biomechanical assessment of foot function and imaging studies to evaluate underlying conditions or stress fractures. Treatment strategies can include the use of a moon boot, extended periods of rest, ice therapy, exercises to recondition muscle imbalances and bone integrity, custom orthotics to support and improve foot function, tailored footwear prescriptions based on the presenting biomechanics, pain management medications, and interventional modalities such as shockwave. 

Bone pathologies such as shin splints are difficult to treat, especially when considering activity management. The key is to be patient, give your body time to heal and complement the natural healing process with the prescribed therapy from a health practitioner.

The Severs Sleeve: A Powerful Aid in Shin Splint Treatment:

The 'Severs Sleeve' is an innovative and effective product specifically designed to assist in the treatment of shin splints. Its unique features offer significant benefits for relief and recovery, these include:

• Targeted compression and support for the calf muscles, particularly the Soleus muscle, helping to minimise periostitis on the tibia.
  
  
• Reduced muscle EMG (workload) of the calf muscles, reducing muscle strain on the periosteum of the tibia.
  
  
• Customisable tension adjustment for a tailored treatment depending on the progression of the shin splints.

Understanding the development, symptoms, and consequences of shin splints is crucial for effective management and prevention of long-term complications. By incorporating the 'Severs Sleeve' into your health practitioner's prescribed treatment plan, you can experience accelerated healing, reduced symptoms, and a faster return to your active, pain-free life. Don't let shin splints hinder your performance or daily activities.

From Pain to Performance

The Orthopaedic Sleeve Society