Shin splints is a generic term which refers to exercised induced leg pain around the front of the shin area. This symptom can be broken into three conditions:

Medial Tibial stress syndrome

Medial tibial stress syndrome affects the inside aspect of the shin tissue. Mainly caused by overuse and inflammation of the tibialis posterior muscle, which can lead to a stress of the bone and overload on the tissue. This is mostly due to foot mechanics, footwear, surfaces and increase in load too aggressively.

Anterior shin pain

This is a pain in the outside aspect of the shin bone which affects the tibialis anterior muscle. This is less common but can be found in active walkers and runners.

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD)

Posterior Tibial Tendon is the major support structure of the inside of the foot and ankle, helping with stability and the function of walking and running. PTTD is a condition caused by changes of the tendon, causing dysfunction and impairment in the support of the arch of the foot.This can be broken down into three different stages. Early diagnosis is key.