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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

If you have shin splints, you may notice:

  • Tenderness, soreness or pain along the inner part of your lower leg
  • Mild swelling in your lower leg

At first, the pain may stop when you stop running or exercising. Eventually, however, the pain may be continuous.

When to see a doctor
Consult your doctor if rest, ice and over-the-counter pain relievers don't ease your shin pain. Your primary care doctor may refer you to an orthopedist. Seek prompt medical care if:

  • Severe pain in your shin follows a fall or accident
  • Your shin is hot and inflamed
  • Swelling in your shin seems to be getting worse
  • Shin pain persists during rest
Causes Definition

  • See Also

    • Hand Scheduled
    Section Focus
  • Symptom Checker

    • Related Links
    Related Guides
    Children
    Parent
References
  1. Shin splints. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00407. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
  2. Callahan LR, et al. Overview of running injuries of the lower extremity. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 28, 2010.
  3. Handout on health: Sports injuries. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Sports_Injuries/default.asp. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
  4. Wilder RP, et al. Overuse injuries: Tendinopathies, stress fractures, compartment syndrome, and shin splints. Clinics in Sports Medicine. 2004;23:55.
  5. Stretanski MF. Shin splints. In: Frontera WR, et al. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/225926657-2/0/1678/72.html?tocnode=55148574&fromURL=72.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4007-1..50071-7_1137. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
DS00271 Dec. 21, 2010

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