Shin Splints Physiotherapy Mississauga

Curezone Physiotherapy, Mississauga is a team of providers providing treatments in various musculoskeletal health conditions including Shin Splints causing heel and leg pain. 

What are Shin Splints? 

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome or more commonly known as Shin Splints is any pain that occurs in in the anterior (front) portion of the lower leg.  Since pain is a general word the pain stems from Periostitis, musculotendinitis, stress fractures, increased pressure in the muscular compartment or irritation of the interosseous membrane.

Anterior Shin Splints 

If the pain is in the front of the shin, it is mostly due to the overuse of the tibialis anterior muscle. In addition to the overuse of the tibialis anterior, the calf muscle (gastrocnemius) becomes hypomobile and the muscular complex of the front of the leg becomes weak causing the foot to pronate (flat foot) increasing stress on the lower leg.  Pain normally increases with ankle dorsiflexion (pointing the foot up) and when the muscle (tibialis anterior) is stretched into plantarflexion. 

Posterior Shin Splints 

It is possible that the pain can occur in the posterior (back) part of the leg. A tight gastrocnemius-soleus complex and a weak and inflamed posterior tibialis muscle along with foot pronation are associated with posterior medial shin splints.  Pain is felt when the foot is dorsiflexed with ankle eversion and active supination of the foot.  Common causes of posterior shin splints are vigorous exercise, in the forms of running or dancing. 

Treatment 

• Pressure, Ice, Elevate, Rest (P.I.E.R Principle)
• Rest
• Warm up
• Support the medial longitudinal arch of the foot (when injured this arch falls flat causing the foot to collapse into the flat foot position)
  • Proper footwear (orthotics)
  • Proper training surfaces
  • Correct running, jumping and marching techniques

Prevention 

• Warm up that increases the flexibility and extensibility of the area  
• Strengthen the tibialis anterior and posterior
• Proper footwear
• Recognize sign and symptoms early

Common Structural and Functional Impairments, Activity Limitations, and Participation Restrictions (Functional Limitation/Disabilities) 

• Pain with repetitive activity, applied pressure on the site, when the muscle is stretched and when resistance is on the muscle
• Pain when weight-bearing and with repetitive weight bearing activities such as the gait cycle
• Muscle length-strength imbalances (gastrocnemius-soleus) complex
• Abnormal foot posture (faulty footwear)
• Decreased length the individual can stand or decreased walk speed which restricts community and work activities as well as recreational and sport activities

Physiotherapy Management- Protection Phase in the Physiotherapy clinic 

• The physiotherapist will apply cross-friction massage to the site of the lesion
• The physiotherapist will apply gentle muscle setting contractions or electrical stimulation to the involved muscle in pain free positions
• Your physiotherapist will teach you active range of motion exercises within pain free ranges for you to complete at home and in clinic
• Educating their patient on avoiding activity that provokes pain
• The physiotherapist will provide supportive taping techniques and prescribe orthotic shoe insert to provide relief of symptoms
• During the subacute stages the physiotherapist will examine for impaired alignment or muscle flexibility and strength imbalances through manual muscle testing. Orthotics provides support to foot alignment the produces less stress on the knee joint and ankle

At Home Exercises 

• Foot Alphabets
• Gastro stretching
• Increase inversion with towel
• Wobble board
• Prostretch
• Towel scrunching with resistance
• Ankle eversion resistance
• Step ups
• Resisted Walking (forward or backward)
• Single leg stands on therapad

Make sure you book your appointment today and get assessed by our physiotherapist now at 905 997 4333

Sheena John

Registered Physiotherapist