Shin splints occur when the muscles along your shin bones become irritated and inflamed. It’s an annoying condition that almost every runner has dealt with at least once in life. Though often caused by overuse, they may also be a result of stress fractures or flat feet. It is not always possible to prevent shin splints from happening, especially if you run often and on different types of terrain, but there are things you can do to protect yourself. Always make sure you are wearing good supportive shoes with cushioning where needed. Never run without first warming up your body. The muscles in your feet and legs need to be properly stretched or you could do yourself a lot of damage. If you ever feel pain of any kind, you need to stop the activity that is causing that discomfort. Do not push yourself past your limits unless you want to risk long-lasting foot and leg complications.
If your shins are sore, call Dr. Mark Gasparini at (516) 804-9038 to schedule an appointment in our Massapequa, NY office.
