Shin splints vs Stress fracture (of the tibia)


Shin splints is used to describe pain in the front or lower inner shin. It is part of the general group of "overuse injuries".
A stress fracture is a fracture caused by repetitive impacts or stress.  It will give you more of a deep radiating pain that is worse with weight bearing activities

Causes:

Shin splint is a common injury for runners.  This pain will often come as a result of going too fast too soon or suddenly increasing your intensity or frequency.

Stress fracture is also common in strenuous sports with weight bearing and running in particular.

Pain:

Shin splints will often decrease with your warmup whereas fracture will persist

Treatment:

Shin splints can be treated in physiotherapy with 

• Manual therapy and soft tissue release techniques.  Evaluation of the ankle mobility is often needed to correct mechanical problems.
• Exercises: stretching and strengthening (concentric and excentric)
• Electrotherapy modalities and ice application for inflammation
• proprioceptive taping
• activity modification and posture correction
• footwear modification

A stress fracture requires 6-8 weeks off impact activity, rest and sometimes even a cast or splint to prevent re-injury during the healing process.

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