Shin splints
(Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome)
Shin splints
(Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome)
Frustrated by shin splints?
Our knowledge and experience can get you moving pain free again
Shin splints — medically known as Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS) — cause pain along the inner border of the shinbone (tibia), often during or after running, jumping, or walking. It’s a common overuse injury seen in runners, dancers, team sport athletes, and people returning to high-impact activity after a break.
While it can be frustrating and persistent, it is highly treatable with the right load management and rehabilitation.
While it can be frustrating and persistent, it is highly treatable with the right load management and rehabilitation.
Common causes of shin splints
Shin splints are typically caused by repetitive stress and overload of the lower leg muscles and bone. Contributing factors include:
It’s important to distinguish MTSS from other conditions such as stress fractures or compartment syndrome — something your physiotherapist will screen for.
- Sudden increase in training volume or intensity
- Running on hard or uneven surfaces
- Poor footwear or worn-out shoes
- Weakness or fatigue in calf, foot, or hip muscles
- Poor foot biomechanics (e.g., excessive pronation or flat feet)
- Inadequate recovery or return to sport too soon
- Reduced bone density (in some cases)
It’s important to distinguish MTSS from other conditions such as stress fractures or compartment syndrome — something your physiotherapist will screen for.
How we assess shin splints
Our physiotherapy assessment focuses on understanding the demands on your body and identifying the contributing factors behind your pain. This typically includes:
- Assessment of calf, foot and hip strength
- Analysis of running mechanics and training load
- Gait or movement assessment (e.g., jumping, landing, walking)
- Palpation and symptom reproduction to confirm diagnosis
- Foot posture and footwear review
- Screening for more serious causes like stress fracture (when appropriate)
How physiotherapy can help shin splints
Load Management and Return-to-Running Planning
Reducing aggravating loads (e.g., running volume, impact) while maintaining general conditioning is key. We guide you through a structured and graded return-to-impact program.
Gradual load management and education are first-line treatments for MTSS (Winters et al., 2013).
Strengthening and Conditioning
We target muscles that help absorb load during impact — especially the calf complex, foot intrinsics, and glutes — to improve shock absorption and reduce bone stress.
Evidence supports lower limb strengthening and neuromuscular training in the prevention and management of shin splints (Newman et al., 2013).
Biomechanical and Running Retraining
Where relevant, we may adjust running technique or address movement inefficiencies that place excess stress on the lower leg.
Footwear and Orthotic Advice
We provide recommendations on shoe choice, orthotics (if appropriate), and training surfaces to reduce impact and improve lower limb mechanics.
Education and Injury Prevention
We help you understand the importance of recovery, sleep, nutrition (especially for bone health), and gradual progression in training.
Reducing aggravating loads (e.g., running volume, impact) while maintaining general conditioning is key. We guide you through a structured and graded return-to-impact program.
Gradual load management and education are first-line treatments for MTSS (Winters et al., 2013).
Strengthening and Conditioning
We target muscles that help absorb load during impact — especially the calf complex, foot intrinsics, and glutes — to improve shock absorption and reduce bone stress.
Evidence supports lower limb strengthening and neuromuscular training in the prevention and management of shin splints (Newman et al., 2013).
Biomechanical and Running Retraining
Where relevant, we may adjust running technique or address movement inefficiencies that place excess stress on the lower leg.
Footwear and Orthotic Advice
We provide recommendations on shoe choice, orthotics (if appropriate), and training surfaces to reduce impact and improve lower limb mechanics.
Education and Injury Prevention
We help you understand the importance of recovery, sleep, nutrition (especially for bone health), and gradual progression in training.
Physio for shin splints: FAQs
Usually from repetitive loading of the tibia and tissues without enough recovery.
Mild cases of shin splints can take 2–4 weeks for recovery. Chronic cases of shin splints can take 6–12+ weeks for recovery.
Only if a stress fracture is suspected.
Yes, but reduce mileage, intensity, or swap sessions with cross-training.
Supportive running shoes; orthotics may help if biomechanics play a role.
Yes — calf, hip, foot, and core strength all reduce recurrence.
If only rested, likely. With strength and load management, recurrence is much lower.
Areas We Serve
We provide physiotherapy services to clients with shin splints across the Perth northern suburbs. Some of the most common areas we serve include:
Doubleview, Scarborough, Innaloo, Woodlands, Wembley Downs, Churchlands, Karrinyup, Gwelup, Osborne Park, City Beach, Floreat, and Trigg.
If you're located nearby and looking for expert shin splints care, we're just a short drive away.
Additionally, we provide expert and specialist physiotherapy care to many clients who live in Perth and regional Western Australia – your rehabilitation is our priority and many of our clients are prepared to drive further to receive quality care.
Doubleview, Scarborough, Innaloo, Woodlands, Wembley Downs, Churchlands, Karrinyup, Gwelup, Osborne Park, City Beach, Floreat, and Trigg.
If you're located nearby and looking for expert shin splints care, we're just a short drive away.
Additionally, we provide expert and specialist physiotherapy care to many clients who live in Perth and regional Western Australia – your rehabilitation is our priority and many of our clients are prepared to drive further to receive quality care.
