Researchers are always on the lookout for ways and techniques that can be used to treat the injury of shin splints. When an athlete suffers from this injury it is often very devastating as it likely means they can no longer carry out their planned exercise program.
What techniques work the best?
Here is an overview of the study that was taken.
The study took a total of 2777 men and split them into five different groups, each group receiving a different treatment method.
Group one was the control group and was given no treatment whatsoever.
Group two used a padded heel insert that was taped into their tennis running shoes while they completed their summer training program. This pad was a 1.3 cm thick foam rubber that was cut to fit their size.
Group three was instructed to perform heel-chord stretching exercises whereby they stood next to a wall, about a foot or so away, and stretched out their calf muscle by leaning into the wall. They completed this exercise three times a day for three minutes per time (stretching for a count of fifteen, then relaxing for a count of five, repeated over and over again).
Group four used a combination of both of the above mentioned treatments, heel-chord stretching and the padded inserts.
Lastly, group five underwent an increasingly intensive running program over the summer months, starting out slowly and gradually working their way up. Aside from this running they also performed calisthentic and upper body exercises.
As these groups progressed through their assigned exercises, upon demonstrating signs of shin splints they were then instructed to carry out one of five different injury-treatment protocols.
The first protocol called for no running and the application of ice three times daily.
The second group was instructed to also stop running, apply ice three times daily but additionally take aspirin four times per day for one week.
The third group did the exact same as the second group, only this group, rather than taking aspirin took phenylbutazone.
The four group stopped running, applied ice three times daily and then also performed the heel-chord stretching exercises.
Lastly, the final group used a short walking cast for one week.
The individuals kept up their treatment measures until recovery was seen, as defined by being able to run pain free for a distance of 500 meters comfortably without the use of a heel pad.
After analysing the incidence and treatment methods of the various groups, it appeared as though no group in the original set-up was at a higher risk than another for the development of shin splints and the incidence rate was seen to be 4.07 percent.
Upon selected treatments, again all groups showed signs of similar recovery with no statistical differences being noticed. This clearly demonstrates that where recovery is concerned with this injury, rest is going to be foremost of importance as this is the one factor that all groups had in common with each other.
The location of the pain that developed was 22% anterolateral, 74% anteromedial and 3% anterior. The total time over which the injuries took place until specified recovery was seen was between one and eleven days for most cases.
After the recovery process was over, part of the men were assigned heel pads to wear and part were not. The incidence of re-occurrence of the injury was actually higher amongst those who used the heel pads therefore indicating that this technique is not only not efficient for preventing shin splints, but could potentially add to the increase risk for development.
Lastly, it was noted that more of the individuals who had no prior training background coming into the study experienced the highest rate of onset of shin splints, reinforcing the former belief that this injury is more prevalent among those who have not been physically active in the past and are just starting an exercise routine.
So if shin splints is an injury you are concerned about or are dealing with right now, keep in mind that ice is going to be your best treatment method and that if you are new to exercise, it is always best to start slow as you are at an increased risk.
Reference:
1. Andrish, J.T., Bergfeld, J.A., and Welheim, J. A Prospective Study On The Management Of Shin Splints. The Journal Of Bone And Joint Surgery (1974): 56:1697-1700.
