| Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is a common | | | | initially hurt when running, but does become painful |
| overuse injury in those who do a lot of running. It is | | | | when palpating the area. As the condition progress |
| an injury that occurs to the tibia or shin bone. In the | | | | (assuming no treatment was implemented) it |
| past this used to be called 'shin splints' which is named | | | | becomes increasingly painful and can start to |
| after a similar condition that occurs in race horses. | | | | interfere with the running. |
| Females are more likely to get this problem than | | | | The initial treatment usually starts with a modification |
| males. | | | | to the training routine, such as cutting back on the |
| There are a number of risk factors that increase the | | | | amount of running. If necessary, cycling or swimming |
| risk for the injury. One of the more common factors | | | | can be substituted to maintain fitness. The foot |
| is abnormal foot biomechanics, such as a foot that | | | | biomechanics can be addressed with the use of foot |
| rolls too much inwards at the ankle joint. This is called | | | | orthotics. There have been recent suggestions that |
| pronation and puts a twist through the leg bone and | | | | medial tibial stress syndrome can be treated with |
| overloads the part of the tibia bone that gets injured. | | | | medial foot wedging in the shoes. Advice from a |
| A tight calf muscle is also considered a factor. Poor | | | | specialty running shoe store should be sought for the |
| training principles have also been implicated. This | | | | most appropriate running shoes. Calf muscle |
| includes doing too much running too soon when the | | | | stretching is also an important part of the |
| amount of training done should be to build up slowly. | | | | rehabilitation. Sometimes other physical therapy |
| Another common factor is the running shoes being | | | | treatments and anti-inflammatory medication is |
| too warn. This can cause alignment problems of the | | | | needed. After the condition starts to settle, a gradual |
| foot and lower limb. | | | | return to full running activity is necessary. A too rapid |
| The initial pain from MTSS usually starts about | | | | return to a full training program is associated with a |
| halfway up the leg towards the inside. It may not | | | | high chance of recurrence. |