Shin Splints Diagnosis, Treatment & Pain Management Doctors NYC
At Manhattan Pain and Sports Associates you’ll get the shin splints pain management and doctor’s care you need to reduce or eliminate your shin splints pain. Because when you’re in pain — whether it’s from an accident, age, sports injury (usually running)— you want relief quickly. Appropriate and targeted shin splints pain management and treatment starts with a proper diagnosis from your NYC sports pain management specialist.
Shin Splints
Shin splints are all too common among NYC runners and can occur in almost anyone with an active lifestyle. The shin splints condition — technically called medial tibial stress syndrome — occurs when you experience pain that runs along the front of your legs, over where your tibia or weight-bearing shin bone is located.
Shin splints and its associated excruciating pain are consequences of over-taxing the ligaments, tendons and muscles in your legs. They just become stressed and worn out, resulting in the pain that sends you running to your NYC pain management doctor.
Running Out of Excuses
Stopping the activity that causes the pain obviously is the first line of defense your pain management specialist may suggest. And that pain is easily recognizable:
- You’ll have swelling and tenderness on the front of your leg
- Mild swelling is apparent on the inside of your lower leg
- The pain stops when you stop applying pressure
- The pain is worse when you wake up because the tendons and muscles have tightened up overnight
The pain may return if you:
- Continue running
- Run on hills and uneven terrain
- Are in military training
- Have flat feet or high arches
- Play a sport, such as basketball, on a hard surface that requires you to stop and start quickly
Making a Plan
The doctors of Manhattan Pain and Sports Associates can diagnose shin splints usually by your explanation of the pain, a description of your activities and a physical. X-rays or an MRI can rule out other causes of your pain — such as stress fractures or compartment syndrome that involves swollen muscles. A bone scan can provide a definitive answer if you or your doctor have any doubts.
Rest, combined with low-impact activities such as swimming or cycling can make an enormous difference in how your legs feel. Ice can help relieve the swelling while over-the-counter anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen can relieve pain and inflammation.
The adage that best describes shin splints is “too much, too soon.” The best plan for relief and prevention of shin splints entails:
- Physical therapy to learn exercises that strengthen other muscles to take some of the pressure off your shins
- Wearing the right kinds of shoes, as recommended by your pain management specialist
- Adding arch supports to your shoes to take off some of the pressure on your shins
- Gently stretching your Achilles tendon before running or participating in any high-impact sport
- Wrapping your legs, starting just below your knee down to your ankle
If you insist on continuing with the sport that caused the shin splints, try cross-training. Give your legs a break every few days with low-impact sports and then gradually resume running. Start out slowly and increase your running pace over time, at an average of about 10 percent per week. For more tips, speak to your Manhattan pain management specialist.
Get the Relief You Need For Your Shin Splits
Your NYC pain management doctor’s goal is to get you back to your normal routine with minimal downtime. After your shin splints diagnosis is confirmed, your doctor begins your shin splints pain management and treatment plan with the most conservative pain relief treatment. You’ll always receive non-invasive pain relief before your doctor turns to more invasive procedures like surgery.
Manhattan Pain and Sports Associates
51 East 25th St, 4th Floor, Ste B
New York, NY 10010
(212) 533-3954
