Doctors' Answers to "Frequently Asked Questions" - Shin Splints


These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.

Shin Splints [posted 7/17/98]
Question: I am a 15 year old female. Recently while I was running I developed a pain in my shin. I was reading a book on shin splints and it said that I should rest. Should I rest or run and what else can I do to help?

Answer: Two possibilities-first shin splints. For this apply heat, use motrin or something equivalent and start future running with warm ups-also don't push it until your legs are built up. Secondly, is Osgood-Schlatter's Disease. This is a degradation of the back side of the patella-cause unknown. Seen in young women (occasionally young men) and only responds to rest and decreased activity. If the pain is over your knee cap(patella) most likely this. I would see an orthopedic surgeon for this problem.

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Last modified July 17, 1998