SHIN SPLINTS

Shin splints develop when the tissues along the shinbone become irritated from repeated stress, most commonly in runners, walkers, and athletes who load the lower leg heavily. Because shin pain can also signal other conditions, a healthcare professional should evaluate symptoms that are persistent, worsening, or interfering with activity.

What Shin Splints Are

Shin splints—medically called medial tibial stress syndrome—refer to pain anywhere along the front or inner edge of the shinbone. The discomfort typically appears during or after activity and may feel sharp, aching, or throbbing. It often develops as an overuse injury when the muscles and tendons that attach to the tibia become overloaded and inflamed.

People commonly notice:

• Pain at the start of exercise that may ease as activity continues

• Tenderness along the shinbone

• Mild swelling or warmth

• Increased discomfort on hills or high‑impact surfaces

Shin splints are especially common in runners, dancers, hikers, and athletes who rapidly increase training intensity.

How Foot Biomechanics Cause Shin Splints

While overuse is the most recognized cause, the underlying biomechanics often determine why the tissues become overloaded in the first place.

Key contributors include:

• Overpronation (excessive inward rolling) — when the arch collapses, the tibialis anterior and tibialis posterior muscles must work harder to stabilize the foot.

• Arch flattening with each step — as the arch drops, the muscles that support it are repeatedly overstretched.

• Increased traction on the shinbone — the tibialis muscles attach directly to the tibia; when they are overworked, they pull excessively on the bone’s lining, causing inflammation.

• Foot elongation — a collapsing arch lengthens the foot, increasing strain on the muscles that control foot position.

• Repetitive impact — high‑impact activities amplify the stress on already fatigued tissues.

Over time, these forces create a cycle of irritation, inflammation, and pain that becomes harder to resolve without addressing the structural cause.

Why MASS Posture Orthotics Help

MASS posture orthotics are designed to restore the foot closer to its optimal functional position rather than supporting it in a collapsed state. For shin splints, this is especially important because the condition is directly tied to arch mechanics.

Benefits include:

• Arch stabilization — reducing the excessive inward roll that overworks the tibialis muscles.

• Full‑contact support — preventing the arch from flattening and relieving strain on the muscles attached to the shinbone.

• Improved alignment — decreasing rotational stress on the tibia and lower leg.

• Reduced muscle fatigue — allowing the tibialis anterior and posterior to function normally instead of compensating for a collapsing arch.

• Better shock absorption — distributing impact forces more evenly across the foot and leg.

By correcting the structural cause, MASS posture orthotics help both relieve current pain and prevent recurrence.

Importance of Custom Calibration

Every foot loads differently, and the degree of overpronation varies widely. Custom calibration ensures the orthotic responds appropriately to the individual’s biomechanics.

Calibration considers:

• Arch flexibility — determines how much corrective force is needed to prevent collapse.

• Forefoot mobility — influences how the orthotic should flex during gait.

• Muscle fatigue patterns — helps tailor support to reduce strain on the tibialis muscles.

• Activity level and body weight — affect how the orthotic should respond under repetitive impact.

Proper calibration allows the orthotic to guide the foot toward healthier alignment while still allowing natural movement.

What Patients Often Notice

People with shin splints frequently report:

• Reduced pain during walking or running

• Less tightness along the shinbone

• Improved endurance before fatigue sets in

• A smoother, more efficient stride

• Better comfort on hills or hard surfaces

• Relief from the “pulling” sensation along the tibia

These improvements come from reducing the muscular overload that caused the condition in the first place.

Long‑Term Foot Health Considerations

Shin splints can progress if the underlying mechanics are not addressed. Long‑term risks include:

• Chronic inflammation of the tibial periosteum

• Increased risk of stress fractures

• Compensatory pain in the ankles, knees, or hips

• Reduced ability to tolerate running or high‑impact activity

• Recurring flare‑ups with training changes

Supporting the arch early—especially with calibrated MASS posture orthotics—helps reduce abnormal stress on the tibia and supports healthier long‑term function.