Wonder of the Day #1052

What Are Shin Splints?

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SCIENCE — Health and Fitness

Have You Ever Wondered...

What are shin splints?
How are shin splints treated?
How can you prevent shin splints?

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Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by simon. simon Wonders, “What is a shin splint?” Thanks for WONDERing with us, simon!

Do you play sports? Do you do a lot of running? If so, chances are you may have experienced pain in your legs from time to time. It’s common early in the season or if you don’t warm up enough. You may feel pain in the muscles on the fronts and sides of your legs. Sometimes the pain can be so bad that you can’t keep exercising.

What are we talking about? Shin splints! And they hurt! If you’ve ever had shin splints, you know how painful they can be. They often feel like a dull, aching, throbbing pain in the legs. They may continue even after you stop exercising. Shin splints can sideline an athlete for several days or weeks.

The shin bone — called the tibia — is the large bone in the front of the lower part of your leg. When you feel pain along the shin bone or just behind it, you may have shin splints. Doctors call this condition medial tibial stress syndrome.

What causes shin splints? Often, they’re caused by too much force or stress on the shin bone and the surrounding tissues. Runners often experience shin splints. So do athletes in other sports with lots of running, such as soccer and basketball.

The stress that causes shin splints can happen for many reasons. Overuse is one common cause. Running too much or increasing intensity or distance too soon can result in shin splints.

Running on hard surfaces can also help cause shin splints. Other factors can include having flat feet, stress fractures, or swollen muscles.

Fortunately, shin splints can often be cured with simple measures. For example, icing your shins, taking over-the-counter pain relievers, and getting extra rest will often heal shin splints in a matter of a few days.

If overuse is an issue, cutting back on your intensity or distance for a while can help. Likewise, running on a softer surface may also improve shin splints.

Other times, doctors are needed to treat the underlying factors causing shin splints. You may want to consult a doctor if shin splints persist. They can help you get back to an active lifestyle more quickly.

Standards: CCRA.L.3, CCRA.L.6, CCRA.R.1, CCRA.R.2, CCRA.R.4, CCRA.R.10, CCRA.SL.1, CCRA.W.2, CCRA.L.1, CCRA.L.2, CCRA.W.8

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Courtney
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Have you ever had shin splints? We hope not, but it's common. To keep learning about today's topic, check out one or more of the following activities with a friend or family member:

Up for a challenge? Go for a run! To avoid shin splints while on your run, you should stretch your leg muscles and get them warmed up prior to starting your run. Jump online to check out these Leg Stretches you can do to get limber before you hit the ground running. What other stretches do you think would be beneficial? How do your legs feel after your run? Do your shins hurt at all? We hope not! Keep stretching and keep running. The exercise you get will help you feel healthier overall!
Are you familiar with the anatomy of the human leg? You know there are some big bones in your legs, but do you know what else is under your skin? Jump online and check out this cool interactive view of the Human Leg. You can choose to view the skin, bones, muscles, and even blood vessels! Share what you learned with a friend or family member.
Have you ever had shin splints? If so, you know how painful they can be. Imagine a friend or family member has asked you how they can avoid getting shin splints. Either write a paragraph or make a poster with tips for people to prevent this condition.

Wonder Sources

http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/shin-splints (accessed 20 Nov. 2019)
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/shin-splints/DS00271 (accessed 20 Nov. 2019)
http://running.about.com/od/commonrunninginjuries/tp/How-To-Prevent-Shin-Splints.htm (accessed 20 Nov. 2019)

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Join the Discussion

I run in girls on the run

That's WONDERful, Leilah! Thanks for sharing.

I run a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooot.

That's great, Vboy! Running is very good for you.

ive never had shin splints but my muscles in my upper leg arms and shoulder have been hurting so i was wondering about that

Good question, ayden! If your muscles have been bothering you, you should go to your doctor.

I play soccer and hockey i also play hip hop and i have never gotten a shin splint. i learned that a shin splint can be cured in a few days. just by a little bit of sleep. So now i can help my mom after her daily run

That's WONDERful, unipups! What a great helper.

shin splints the name just sends shivers down my spine!

#Truth. Anyone that's ever had them likely feels the same, Wonderboy123!

I need to learn how to do the splits

Hi, Wonder Friend! Thanks for sharing! Takes a lot of practice! We appreciate you stopping by Wonderopolis! :)

I had the same problem, my shin splints flair from like a dull sensation to like a ten whenever I ran, I received physio for it but the best way is to know what actually causes your pain in shins. I started to look for a solution and after some years I decided to collect all what I learned in that years of pain and from the people I helped.

Hello, Gary Buchenic! Thanks for sharing your story. We hope the shin splints have gotten better! :)

I get shin splints all the time cause of kickboxing all the kicks we do hurt our shins we call it dino shins

Dino shins! We like that... Thanks for sharing, Ashley! :-)

Its a good thing you put this here for other people to learn about because shin splints hurt. Stretching help a lot and so does keeping a good pace for a running sport and also to keep a good stride that fits you.

WONDERful, David! Thank you for sharing your insight with us today! :-)

I am wondering now. hi wonderopolis. hihihihihihihihihiihihihihihihihihiihihihihiihiihihihiihh

Hey there, Jaidyng and Suppr Man! Thanks for WONDERing with us today! We Wonder if you have experienced shin splints or any muscle aches after exercising? We sure hope you're stretching! :)

I am wondering now.

I have had shin splints and they hurt! If I play a lot of sports to play what are some quick things I can do before I start practice or a game?

Hi Wonder Friends Abigail and Kayla! We have a few Wonders for you to enjoy - you can learn some more exercises to prevent injuries: #917-- What is Yoga? https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-is-yoga/ #840-- Why Do Your Muscles Cramp? https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-do-your-muscles-cramp/ #916-- How Many Ways Can You Run? https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-many-ways-can-you-run/ :)

I've never heard of that word and the wonder of the day is great.

THOUGHT:Me and my friend we play basketball hopefully it doesn't affect us.

Hey Kaylen and Janiya! Thanks for visiting us to Wonder today! We're smiling from ear to ear because of you! We're glad you have some new exercises to try out - shin splints are no fun at all! We hope you have lots of fun stretching, exercising, and using your strong muscles! :)

THOUGHT:That looks like a good shin work out to do I think I will do that when I get home. CONNECTION:I always walk own my hill so is that like a work out.

THOUGHT : I was WONDERING what shin splints are? CONNECTION : I never had that. WWOTD : My factor is destiny.

Thanks for WONDERing with us today, Brandon and London! Shin splints are no fun at all, so we are glad that we can do these exercises to prevent them from happening! Phew! We love learning about great ways to keep our bodies healthy, don't you? :)

Thought: I didn't know that you can stop shin splints from having them. WOW! Connection: I had Shin Splints before IT HURTS! WWOTD: factor-anything that contributes to a result. Prediction: It's probably something we have to think about it or talk about how your brain thinks.

Thought: That look so painful. Connection: My brother had that once . Prediction: fun and fitness . WWOTD I factored my teacher.

Hi there, Tam and Christopher! Sometimes the best remedy for shin splints is an ice pack and lots of rest. Special exercises, like those we saw in the Wonder video today, are great for preventing shin splints, too! We are so glad that you have both shared your comments and connections! Perhaps you can share this Wonder with your cousin and brother, Wonder Friends! :)

THOUGHT:Ouch! Does it hurt if we put pressure on it? CONNECTION:One of my cousins had a shin splint and she told me what she does to exercise. WWOTD: A factor in my decision to become a teacher is that I enjoy students. PREDICTION:I think tomorrow's Wonder is about the best Wonder in the "Histories of Wonders".

THOUGHT: I have never heard of shin splints WWOTD: When you get a headache and you play around it begins to hurt worse. PREDICTION:It will probably be about robots or some type of cool ivention

Hi there, Wonder Friend Hi and Jeremiah! It sounds like you've both learned something new with us - hooray for WONDERing! :) Speaking of headaches, have you ever had a brain freeze? #92 -- Why Do You Get an Ice Cream Headache? https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-do-you-get-ice-cream-headaches/ :)

shin splints they are weird!

Yes

Thanks for joining the conversation and sharing your opinion, Kytalin! Visit again soon! :)

WWOTD: Factor- anything that contriubes to a result.

Hi Jenna and Andrea! It sounds like you both have had experiences with shin splints - that's no fun! We're glad we all WONDERed about ways to prevent shin splints, so we hope your legs will be pain-free the next time you run! :)

THOUGHT: I thought the video was very was telling me that you should stretch CONNECTION: My connection is that I was doing the pacers run and when I got done I started it hurt on my legs PREDICTION:My prediction is that it is going to be about soccer.

THOUGHT: Shin splints do hurt! CONNECTION: I have had a lot of shin splints before. PREDICTION: I predict that tomorrow's wonder will be about the past. EXAMPLE: A factor in my decision to become a vet is that I enjoy animals. WWOTD: Factor means''anything that contributes to result.

THOUGHT:I didn't like the passage it was somewhat gross be the video was good. CONNECTION:My connection is I think I've had shin splints before I'm not sure but the pain felt kind of how you guys described it. PREDICTION:I think tomorrow's wonder will be awesome. WWOTD:My factor is candy if I do good on my diagnostic.

Good afternoon, Destiny and Tiffany! Shin splints are no fun at all, but we're glad we could learn some great new exercises to avoid them! The next time you go for a job or play a sport, remember to stretch before and after! Thanks for visiting us today! :)

THOUGHT: I thought shin splints you could get anywhere. CONNECTION: I don't want to ever get shin splints. WWOTD: A factor in my decision to become a teacher is that I enjoy students. PREDICTION: I predict tomorrow's wonder will be about magic.

comment I like the way how she wrote the alphabet. question how does that help your ankles? wwotd I factor to the peanut butter drive prediton that she will keep doing exercises

Thank you for joining us today, Erick and Deven! Exercising and stretching is very important for all of us - from kids to professional athletes! Thank you for sharing your awesome comments today - we think you are doing a great job of making connections! :)

wwotd:factor-anything that contributes to a result. thought:I thought that the video was helpful because as an athlete you might have a lot of pain and this exercise will help. connection:I connected because I play at the park a lot and the parts that always hurt most is my shins or my feet. prediction:I predict that the next wonder of the day will be about something interesting and outside of the box.

I experienced shin splints often when I was a cheerleader. I think it was all the jumping!

Hi Alex and Sara, thanks for sharing your super comments with us today! It sounds like you have had some experiences with painful shin splints. Good thing you WONDERed with us today - you have some new exercises in your back pocket when they happen! HOORAY for learning something new! :)

THOUGHT I thought this was a weird video. CONNection: I don't have a connection sorry :( WWOTD: factor PREDICTION: I don't know

THOUGHT-I thought that today we were going to talk about types of color . CONNECTION-Me and my dad were doing that together because he has a bad hip. PREDICTION-The video was good. WWOTD-My factor is to become a DELTA and dance.

Hi there, Timothy and Tairyn! We love playing sports of all kinds and we're so glad to Wonder with you about shin splints. Now when our shins are bothering us, we know what types of exercises to do! :)

Thought: I thought the same thing you can do to. Connection: I did that before Prediction: The woman was doing her job. WWOTD

I will do that to keep them strong

We are glad our Wonder Friends are here today! Thanks for visiting us, Destiny and TJ! We are glad that you are doing your very best to protect yourself from shin splints. The shin is very close to the knee, so sometimes shin splints can have an effect on our knees. When they are hurting us, it's best to let a parent or an adult know about our aching bones! :)

Shin splints are just like pain in your knee so if your knee starts hurting you have shin splints and that video was to help you when you have shin splints.

prediction: Why will it help your ankle if you do ABC with it. Question: Why do people jog?

Hey Byancah and Jack! What a marvelous Monday to Wonder with you! :) Shin splints happen to many sporty folks who run a lot, but the exercises shown in today's Wonder can help prevent those painful shin splints. We Wonder if you have any favorite stretches to share? :)

Can all people do that?

I think that the video was cool and that you should make another cool video. What are you doing for the wonder after tomorrow?

Hi Elijah and Lilly! We are so glad you liked our Wonder today! We are always looking for WONDERful videos and ideas to share with our awesome Wonder Friends like you! Thanks for visiting us today... here's our hint for tomorrow's Wonder: "We believe you’ll think tomorrow’s Wonder of the Day is the best thing since…well…you’ll see! " :)

Some people like me can get caves by riding a bike.

Do you die or get in really bad danger for not getting splits? Do all people do it or some?

Hi there, Korean and Mikayla! Thanks for WONDERing with us today! Stretching before and after sports is a great way to prevent injuries! We are glad you're WONDERing about different ways to keep your body healthy. We think you'll like this exercise Wonder: Why Do Athletes Stretch Before They Work Out? :)

Do you have to stretch before you play sports?

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persist

syndrome

medial

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tibia

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continue to exist

a group of symptoms that consistently occur together or a condition characterized by a set of associated symptoms

situated in the middle, in particular

(plural) anything that contributes causally to a result

the inner and thicker of the two bones of the human leg between the knee and ankle

the degree or amount of strength or force that something has

lacking in liveliness or animation

pressure or tension

(plural) breaking of hard tissue, such as bone

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