Treating Shin Splints during Soccer Season
Shin splints are a common soccer injury that involves inflammation of the tibia and surrounding muscles, which strain where they connect to the tibia and develop micro-tears, causing pain through the lower leg. Shin splints often occur early in the season during intense conditioning due to a rapid increase in the frequency and duration of exercise that places too much stress on the shin bone and muscles. Physical therapy can help soccer players manage shin splint-related pain, restore function and strength in the lower leg, and help athletes return to sport safely.
Shin splints are an inflammatory condition of the tibia and the muscles that attach to the tibia in which the bone and muscles become tender and inflamed. The muscles strain where they connect to the tibia and develop micro-tears, causing pain throughout the lower leg.
The lower leg is comprised of the tibia (shin) and fibula bones, where the muscles in the lower leg attach. Shin splints most often involve the tibialis posterior muscle, digitorum longus muscle, and the soleus muscle where they attach to the tibia bone. When these muscles become overworked and fatigued while trying to provide stability to the ankle and foot, they become inefficient at absorbing shock in the lower leg. This then places undue stress on the shin bone and the muscles, leading to pain and inflammation.
Symptoms of shin splints include a dull ache in the shin, pain on the inside of the shinbone and along the front edge of the shin where muscles attach, numbness or weakness in the feet, and pain that develops when exercising. Symptoms can show up suddenly but usually develop gradually over time.
Shin splints are a common soccer injury due to the vigorous running and intensity of the game. It often occurs early in the season during intense conditioning or when there is a significant increase in training or high-impact kicking and jumping during the season.
Shin splints most often develop when an athlete first begins the sports season or has recently increased the duration, frequency, or intensity of their workout. Repetitive pounding and stress on the muscles, tendons, and bone tissues of the lower leg from running, jumping, and kicking can contribute to recurring trauma, pain, and inflammation that lead to shin splints.
Physical therapy can help soccer players manage shin splint-related pain, restore function and strength in the lower leg, and help athletes return to sport safely. It’s key to allow for sufficient rest and refrain from aggravating activity to allow the shin and muscles to recover and reduce inflammation.
Physical therapy treatment for shin splints can include:
Pain management with ice to control swelling and reduce inflammation
Compression to promote blood flow and healing
Specific stretching of the calf muscles
Manual therapy: hands-on soft tissue and joint mobilizations to restore mobility and address restrictions in range of motion, focusing on stiffness in the foot, ankle, or calf
Targeted strengthening of the hip, core, leg, ankle, and foot to reduce pressure on the tibia and surrounding muscles with a specific focus on strengthening the calf and ankle muscles
Aerobic conditioning and cross-training to maintain fitness without placing stress on the tibia, such as swimming, cycling, or aquatic therapy exercise
Movement re-education and gait training for proper biomechanics when running
Soccer-specific agility, speed, and skill drills progressing to dynamic balance and coordination training so that the athlete prepares for the forces of high-impact activities during soccer. This can also include modified take-off and landing techniques for jumping.
Patient education on training progression and appropriate footwear for soccer to minimize the risk of developing shin splints again
Use of orthotics or shoe inserts to support the arch of the foot
