Shin Splints...

Riverrunner

My husband has had shin splints and I have had two tibial stress fractures which were first diagnosed as shin splints. The answers we got as to shin splints was anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen) and stretches/strengthening. You can google and get all sorts of exercises/stretches. I fell into the habit of doing my foot/shin exercises after I swim. I hold one foot up and then walk with the other foot - like a caterpillar. I do 60 steps each foot. Then I walk on my heels until point of exhaustion (doesn't take long until shins give out).

I also stretch before I run. One foot forward with heel on floor position toes/front part of foot on wall, curb, base of inversion table (in my case) and lean forward. Then do other foot.

As to stress fractures you have to do an MRI. X-rays will not show hairline cracks until they start to heal. After the treatment for shin splints didn't work I went to an orthopedist (instead of my PA) and he did an MRI. I had to wear a boot for a while and went back for regular x-rays to show healing. I am very careful now, because those two back to back stress fractures kept me out of a lot of activity for a while.