Definition
Shin pain can be an inflammation of the tendons, muscles or periosteum. In case of periosteitis of the shin bone, the medical term is periostitis and is also known as tibial edge syndrome. This very unpleasant inflammation of the thin periosteum is often caused by excessive strain. The bone marrow itself can also be affected by a painful inflammation. This is then known as osteomyelitis.
Symptoms
Typical symptoms of periostitis in the area of the tibia are pain when touching the sensitive area. Often the pain is much more frequent and unpleasant at rest than during movement or stress. Occasionally they can then disappear completely.
In addition to the pain, other typical signs of inflammation can also occur. For example, the affected tibia may be overheated and show redness. Depending on the severity of the existing inflammation, the affected section may also be swollen, resulting in reduced mobility.
Since an infection in the body can always affect the entire organism, the patient may also feel generally worn out, tired and weak. In addition to this, the patient may feel reduced performance. Inflammation of the shin bone can have various causes, but the most common is overstrain due to sports.
Last but not least is one of the most common complaints among athletes. Different factors come together. Overloading can result from extensive and intensive training.
Often there are also excessive increases in the load that the bone cannot absorb. Especially when jogging on a training surface that is too hard, the permanent impacts can lead to mechanical irritations of the periosteum, which then develop into smaller centres of inflammation. Furthermore, a changing technique, tired muscles and changes in training conditions can also be a trigger for the onset of periosteitis.
Tendinitis of the shin bone is also a conceivable cause, which can spread to the periosteum and bone. The wrong footwear with unsuitable insoles or too weak shock absorption can also contribute to the development of inflammation. Very good footwear in particular is essential for a regularly active athlete and avoids such complaints.
People with flat feet or fallen arches should also have very well-fitted shoes if they are active in sports, as they are also at risk of developing inflammation of the shin bone more frequently. Due to the malposition of the feet, the force acting on them may not be absorbed and distributed properly, resulting in irritation of the muscles or even the periosteum. In addition to the mechanical causes mentioned above, bacteria or viruses can also be a possible cause of an inflammation of the shin bone.
They can also spread to the periosteum, especially in the context of osteomyelitis. Furthermore, they can also be carried away by surgical interventions and settle on the bone, causing a painful infection. Streptococci and staphylococci are among the typical pathogens that are carried over during an operation.
If an infectious disease such as tuberculosis, syphilis or typhoid fever is present in the organism, the pathogens can also spread through the bloodstream and cause an infection in other parts of the body as well. The bone can also be affected. The treatment of periostitis can take a long time, especially since it is important to carry it out consistently.
For many people who are regularly active in sports, a longer break from sport is particularly challenging, but can be essential in healing an inflammation. Otherwise the inflammation can also become chronic and then have far worse consequences for an athlete. Recurrent pain is a first indication of inflammation and should be examined by a doctor.
The cause can then be found out and further diseases can also be ruled out. If the pain is acute, the leg should not be subjected to any load at first and the painful area can be cooled immediately. In addition to the practical cool packs, ice cubes are also suitable for cooling, which are attached to a pressure bandage at the bottom.
But here too, there should be a protective distance between ice and skin. Cooling ointments such as sports ointments, which also contain an analgesic component such as Diclofenac, can also relieve inflammation and its pain.The tibia should be elevated, this avoids swelling and is often very good for the patient. Furthermore, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medication can be taken temporarily and in consultation with a doctor.
In order to prevent renewed overloading of the muscles and bone, the patient can also learn post-exercise relaxation exercises as part of physiotherapy, which contribute significantly to the bone and surrounding muscles being able to recover sufficiently between sports sessions. Massages can also help to alleviate the symptoms on the one hand, and on the other hand, they can also be performed regularly to prevent inflammation. Depending on the cause of the inflammation, long-term therapy options should also be considered.
If, for example, deformities of the foot are present or if the physician determines a previously unknown malposition that has led to incorrect loading, the right footwear and individually adapted orthopedic insoles can be very helpful and the complaints are avoided in the long term. Furthermore, beginners can get advice from coaches on how to optimize their training so that they can avoid renewed overloading. In rare cases, it may also be necessary to remove the focus of inflammation by means of surgery.
