Shin splints are fairly easy to diagnose. If you haven’t encountered this pain before, it may be the kick you need to purchase the right shoes, preventing shin splints altogether. If you have been experiencing shin splints for some time, it’s definitely time to find shoes to prevent the problem. If you have tenderness and are very sensitive to touch in your lower leg, on either side of the shin, it may be a sign of shin splints. However, shin splints can also cause aches and pains on the interior of the shin.