Posterior shin splints in more detail

 

The most common form of this common problem are posterior shin splints affecting the inner part of the lower leg at the insertion of a major decelerator muscle of the foot, namely tibialis posterior. Inflammation of the muscle attachments and interosseous  membranes to the tibia (shin bone) occurs on the inside of the front of the lower leg.

Pain is felt on palpation (touching) or when walking/running approximately half way up the inner shin.

Pain is only felt in the the muscular region right next to the tibia (shin bone) and not when touching the bone itself.

 

Tibialis posterior anatomy and function

Tibialis posterior inserts at on the inside (medial) border of the shin bone (tibia). It then follows the shaft of the tibia on the inside to pass behind the inside of the ankle joint. It is held in place at the ankle by a piece of tissue called the flexor retinaculum. This retinaculum provides a lever point so the tibialis posterior can work effectively.

Finally tibialis posterior inserts into the foot at the at the navicular (number 3 on the picture). Tibialis posterior is used by the body to counteract the pull of the Achilles tendon when going onto tiptoe . The muscle also serves to invert the foot (turn the foot inwards) so as to ensure positive heel strike on the outside edge of the heel. Finally tibialis posterior also works to slow the foot down from heel strike to mid stance phase of gait to provide a shock absorbing mechanism. More detail of these phases of gait is in our biomechanics section.

 

Posterior shin splints causes

The main causes of posterior shin splints are due to overuse of the tibialis posterior muscle which in itself causes inflammation and swelling leading to incapacity.

Overuse comes from;

Training too hard.

Increasing training too quickly.

Poor biomechanics.

Tight muscles groups at the back of the leg.

Greater detail on the causes of shin splints can be found here. Read more->

 

Posterior shin splints symptoms

Pain is generally felt along the inside front of the tibia along the muscle/ tendon itself. It gets gradually worse on exercise. Read more->

 

Posterior shin splints treatment

Treatment for shin splints whether anterior or posterior is the same. Read more->