The problem is unlikely to be a fracture visible on x-ray, but it may be a stress fracture or microscopic fracture along the surface of the bone. The problem is most commonly due to overuse, and often seen when the intensity or duration of activity is suddenly increased. The injury commonly sidelines runners who increase their mileage from a steady baseline to a much higher level. Everyone has a different body, and each person s body mechanics differ slightly. One factor commonly implicated in causing shin splints is pronation.
Pronation occurs when the foot flattens out when weight is applied.
The normal foot should flatten slightly, pronation occurs when the foot becomes too flattened out causing the foot to roll inwards. This can cause increased demand on the muscle over the front of the shin and lead to complaints of shin pain. As mentioned previously, the term shin splints is not actually a diagnosis, but a groups of problems that causes shin pain. In order to determine the underlying cause your physician may order an x-ray or bone scan. M.D. About Human Guides.