Shin Pain Symptoms

Aching shins may refer to aching pain in the shin on the outside of the shin for example in a compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is increased pressure in the areas that contain the muscles and nerves. This can either be acute from direct trauma or chronic where it is exercise induced.

Acute shin pain may be sudden onset shin pain following a kick or impact to the shin bone (tibia) or lower leg. It may be a sharp pain in the shin, which comes and goes. Patients may complain of a shooting shin pain or a stabbing pain in shin. Chronic shin pain can be acute if it is particularly severe.

A burning pain in the shin where the shin may feel warm to the touch on either the inside or the outside. If the symptoms also include a pins and needles, tingling or numb sensation then nerve injury may be involved and can be related to the back or from the peroneal nerve.

Chronic shin pain is usually gradual onset shin pain or pain in the shin where the athlete is unlikely to pinpoint an exact time the injury occurred. It may have been niggling away for some time.

Constant shin pain may be due to compartment syndrome on the outside or inside of the shin, stress fracture, acutely inflamed shins, or a shin contusion. Shin pain at rest often occurs following training or the next day.

Pain at the front of the shin or over the tibia can be from the bone itself or the musculature. A condition called Osgood schlatters is related to front shin pain. This is an overuse injury from the tibial tubercle and the quadriceps tendon that attaches at this point. This area can become swollen and will have pain at the front of the shin.

Pain on the inside of the shin is the most common location for shin pain. Often described as pain in lower shin above ankle, inner shin pain and pain in lower shin.

Outer shin pain or pain on the outside of the shin. Also known as anterior shin pain. Includes pain on the outer shin muscle or tibialis anterior. A contusion to the outside of the shin and chronic compartment syndrome are more common but an acute compartment syndrome can be a medical emergency. Outside shin pain can also be from the fibula bone where a fracture or stress response may have occurred.

Pain in the shins when running is a common complaint. Shin pain while running and sore shins after running can have a number of causes. Shin Splints is the common term given to describe the various causes of shin pain from bone, compartments, muscles, and fascia.

Pain in shin bone itself (tibia). The patient may complain 'I have pain in my shin bone' although it may be difficult to distinguish. Pain may be along the inner surface of the bone rather than deep in the shin bone or tibia itself.

Pain in the shin, which comes on when walking. Shin pain from walking can either be on the inside of the shin or the outside. Sore shins from walking, which comes on during the walk on the outside of the shin may be a chronic compartment syndrome. Sore shins after walking on the inside may be a shin splints related condition or a periostitis.

Sore shins can mean pain on the lower inside of the shin or on the outside. If you have sore shins then it is important to find the right diagnosis. It could be from a simple bruise. Shin splints are a general term used to describe shin pain of which there are a number of causes.

A throbbing pain in shin may accompany inflammation and be worse after running or other training activities. Vascular conditions may also be considered in the case of an acute compartment syndrome. Throbbing shin pain can also be referred from the nervous system.