• Lower leg pain (commonly felt in the inner lower leg or the front of the shin bone)
• Shin bone may be tender to the touch
• Mild swelling may occur

• Pain from shin splints can commonly be felt in the lower inner leg or front of the shin bone
• Can start as mild, occasional pain but can progress to steady and persistent pain
• Be a sharp or a dull ache
• Gets worse after an activity

• Repeated stress to the shin bone
• Frequent, repetitive pressure (from running, dancing, etc.)

• Is the pain located in the inner lower leg or along the front of the shin?
• Does the pain get worse after an activity that involves the lower legs (running, dancing, marching, etc)?

Educational only — not a medical diagnosis.

1. 1Rest and take a break from sports, running, and other high-impact activities
2. 2Apply ice to the area for 15-20 minutes, three to four times a day for a few days
3. 3Gently stretching and flexing the lower leg may be helpful

• Severe shin pain
• Pain does not go away after a few weeks of rest
• Lower legs are very swollen, red, or painful

• Gently stretching and flexing the lower leg may help
• During recovery, stay active with low-impact activities (swimming, yoga, etc.)
• After recovery, slowly increase in activity level and intensity
• Supportive shoes or shoe inserts can be effective at relieving shin splint pain during activity
• Taking a Vitamin D3 supplement may help (discuss supplments with a healthcare provider)