Overview
Shin splint refers to pain in your shin, the front of your lower legs. The pain happens when the muscles, tissues, and tendons around your shin bone (tibia) become inflamed. Shin pain is very common among athletes because they put repeated stress on their shin bones, connective tissues, and muscles. Healthcare professionals also refer to shin splint as medial tibial stress syndrome.
Shin splints are a very common overuse injury. For most cases all you need is rest and ice to recover from shin splints and you are safe from long-term health problems. However, if left untreated, there is a chance that shin splints develop into a tibial stress fracture.