This article is one of a series covering sports injuries — causes, symptoms, and the treatments we use at Back and Body Medical in Midtown Manhattan. For the complete overview, see the full guide:
→ Sports Injury Treatment in New York City — The Complete Guide
In pain now? → Book an appointment at Back and Body Medical
What is Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome?
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome has the common name of shin splints. It’s an injury that typically forms when the tendons, bone tissue and muscles are overworked, and generally occurs when an exercise activity is intensified. We see many people weekly in our New York Clinic here in Manhatten and help our patients recover and also present them with rehab work to get them back and training quickly.
What are the symptoms?
The general symptoms are described aptly in The American Medical Association defines shin-splint syndrome as “Pain and discomfort in the lower leg. It is caused by repetitive loading stress during running and jumping, and occurs in 4% to 35% of athletic and military populations. The diagnosis should be limited to musculoskeletal inflammation, excluding stress fractures or ischemic disorders.”
So how does it form?
While the exact cause is still not really known, it can be seen to be caused by an increase in workload on the tibia in which is becomes unable to effectively absorb the shock of this extra load on it. An analogy would be if the shock absorbers on your car were old an worn and the car is then taken over rough terrain, they simply wouldn’t be able to absorb all the energy of the increased workload.
How is it diagnosed?
Any physician should be able to diagnose the condition relatively easily. We make the diagnosis and Back and Body on regular basis so are very in tune with what to look for and will be able to apply the correct therapy and treatments accordingly.
What is treatment?
Firstly, rest and ice is generally advised. The ice is to help reduce inflammation and the rest to provide the injury to heal properly. Once the pain and inflammation is under control and reduced, then activity is slowly introduced. Low intensity strengthening exercises are gradually introduced but if any pain returns, these should be stopped immediately. It can take several weeks depending on the severity of the injury to heal properly.
If you suffer from medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints) or feel that you might be, make an appointment to come in and see us. We can treat you and help you with a course of rehab to get you healed properly and back up to full fitness. Remember we treat Olympic athletes on a regular basis, helping them return to full health and fitness to do what they do well.
If you are in pain we can help. We have three simple ways you can make an an appointment:
Call now on (212)371 2000 or
text (315)873-3095
or email us at Yo**********@***********NY.com
Looking forward to helping you get better fast.
Ready to get out of pain? Most new patients are seen within 24 hours — walk in or book online.
Dr Shan Sivendra MD is the founder and medical director of Back and Body Medical in Midtown Manhattan. A board-certified medical doctor, certified acupuncturist, and Director of House Physicians at St. Barnabas Medical Center, Dr Sivendra has been practicing in New York since 1995.
He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Saint Barnabas Medical Center (affiliated with Mount Sinai School of Medicine) and received the Resident Research Award for three consecutive years.
Dr Sivendra has a background spanning internal medicine, pain management, and conservative spine rehabilitation, and was licensed in both the US and the UK.
At Back and Body Medical, he leads a multidisciplinary team of chiropractors, physical therapists, and acupuncturists dedicated to helping patients recover from pain without surgery or unnecessary medication.