How To Stop Painful Shin Splints

Hello I'm Charles Goldman, a qualified Chiropodist/Podiatrist. I run “The Foot Pad” chiropody and physical therapy clinic in Coven, Central London. Today I'm going to talk to you about various foot problems and their treatment.

In this video we're going to talk about shin splints. The first thing we have to do is a differential diagnosis to make sure it is shin splints and not a strained muscle or a fracture or anything like that. Shin splints are an inflammation of the lower part of the anterior muscle on the lower part of the leg.

Once you've ascertained that it is a shin splint, the treatment for this initially is a cold compress, put ice on it, rest, very important and massage can help, gentle massage. If you find that after a week or two of this it hasn't gone, it's worth wile going to a professional who can give you ultrasound and other modalities. Ultrasound is an anti-inflammatory it is also very good.

You can take an anti-inflammatory tablets which do help. On occasion it's worth strapping the ankle and foot to prevent the movement that has caused this. It's worthwhile having a biomechanical assessment to find out why you got the shin splints.

In young and growing people it's quite common but when you're older people you have to find out maybe it's because of your flat feet, your activity, running, football, whatever and you can get footwear to compensate for this problems. Arch support, heel wedges, and other things like that. That's we would treat shin splints.

These are the way we recommend you treat shin splints but the best advice is to consult a chiropodist or podiatrist and get professional help.