While painful, shin splints are not in and of themselves serious, usually responding to relative rest, stretching, ice, massage and anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen. The diagnosis, though, is important, since several more serious conditions can mimic shin splints and can lead to more serious consequences. Acutely, it is a surgical emergency requiring surgical decompression to relieve symptoms and protect the limb. Chronically, it tends to begin shortly after starting the offending activity, and to subside shortly after stopping. The diagnosis is difficult and requires a good history and measurements of the compartment pressures, which is invasive and can be painful.
Treatment can be curative but requires surgery.
Some athletes choose a more conservative approach and discontinue the activity altogether or alter it so as not to aggravate the problem. Stress fractures are less common. These are a result of a continuing anterior exertional leg pain to the point of fracture. This is a somewhat easier diagnosis as the pain is usually very localized to one area. It can, however, lead to an acute fracture of the leg, a serious complication.