Shin splints are the most common cause of leg pain in young athletes involved in running and sprinting activities. Typically the pain arises on the inner side of the leg during and after the run and chracteristically throbbing in nature.

The main cause of the pain is said to be micro tears at the muscle and bone junction (Periostitis) and also micro fractures due to stress in the bone. This is also associated with people having falt feet or chronic exertional compartment syndrome. This is believed to be a normal reaction to abnormal stress and biomechanical changes.

Most patients do well with conservative exercises involving the anterior compartment. Identifying the underlying cause remains imperative to prevent recurrence of the same.