Can Telemedicine Treat Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome)?

Audience: adult

Shin splints, also known as Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome, cause pain along the inner edge of the shinbone. This condition often affects people who increase their physical activity suddenly or who do repetitive impact exercises like running. Telemedicine can help by providing education, guidance on rest, stretching, and pain management. A healthcare provider can assess your symptoms through video or phone consultations and suggest ways to reduce pain and prevent worsening. However, telemedicine cannot perform physical exams or imaging tests, which may be needed if pain is severe or persistent. If you experience severe pain, swelling, numbness, or difficulty walking, seek in-person medical care promptly. Telemedicine offers a convenient way to get advice and follow-up but is not a substitute for hands-on evaluation when needed.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Severe or worsening pain that limits walking or daily activities — seek in-person care promptly.
• Swelling, redness, or warmth around the shin — possible sign of infection or fracture, get urgent evaluation.
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the foot or lower leg — may indicate nerve involvement, seek immediate medical attention.

What telemedicine can do

• Initial symptom assessment and history taking.
• Providing education on rest, ice, and pain management.
• Guidance on stretching and strengthening exercises.
• Advice on footwear and activity modification.
• Follow-up to monitor symptom improvement.

What telemedicine cannot do

• Performing physical examination or palpation.
• Ordering or interpreting imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs.
• Diagnosing fractures or serious complications.
• Providing hands-on physical therapy or manual treatments.
• Managing severe or emergency symptoms.

What Are Shin Splints?

Shin splints cause pain along the inside edge of your shinbone (tibia). This pain usually happens after activities like running, jumping, or walking on hard surfaces. It happens when muscles and tendons around the shinbone become inflamed from overuse or sudden increases in activity.

How Telemedicine Can Help

Through telemedicine, healthcare providers can listen to your symptoms, review your activity history, and guide you on managing pain. They can recommend rest, ice, gentle stretching, and proper footwear. Providers may also suggest exercises to strengthen your lower legs and advice on gradually returning to activity.

Limitations of Telemedicine for Shin Splints

Telemedicine cannot replace physical exams or imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs. If your pain is severe, worsening, or accompanied by other symptoms, you may need an in-person visit for a full evaluation. Telemedicine also cannot provide hands-on treatments such as physical therapy or manual therapies.

When to Seek In-Person Care

If you notice swelling, numbness, tingling, severe pain, or difficulty walking, these could be signs of more serious problems like stress fractures or nerve issues. In such cases, you should seek in-person medical care promptly.

Preventing Shin Splints

To prevent shin splints, increase your activity level gradually. Wear supportive shoes and avoid running on hard or uneven surfaces. Stretch your calves and lower legs regularly. Cross-training with low-impact activities can also help reduce strain.

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Prepare a list of your symptoms, including when pain started and what activities affect it.
• Have a calendar or notes on recent physical activities and any changes in exercise routines.
• Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to show your lower legs if using video.
• Have a list of current medications and any previous injuries to your legs.
• Ensure your device has a working camera and microphone for video calls.
• Be ready to describe your pain (location, intensity, type) clearly to the provider.

After your tele-visit

• Follow the provider's recommendations on rest and activity modification.
• Use ice packs on your shins as advised to reduce pain and swelling.
• Perform recommended stretching and strengthening exercises regularly.
• Monitor your symptoms and note any changes or worsening.
• Schedule follow-up telemedicine visits as suggested to track progress.
• Seek in-person care if red flag symptoms develop or pain worsens significantly.

FAQs

What causes shin splints?

Shin splints are caused by overuse or repetitive stress on the shinbone and surrounding muscles and tendons. Common causes include sudden increases in exercise intensity, running on hard surfaces, or wearing unsupportive shoes.

Can telemedicine diagnose shin splints?

Telemedicine can help assess your symptoms and provide guidance, but it cannot replace a physical exam or imaging tests needed for a definitive diagnosis. If symptoms are severe or unusual, an in-person visit may be necessary.

How can I relieve shin splint pain at home?

Rest from activities that cause pain, apply ice packs to the shin area for 15-20 minutes several times a day, wear supportive shoes, and do gentle stretching exercises as advised by a healthcare provider.

When should I see a doctor in person?

Seek in-person care if you have severe or worsening pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, or difficulty walking. These signs may indicate more serious conditions like stress fractures or nerve problems.

Can I continue exercising with shin splints?

It's best to reduce or modify activities that cause pain. Low-impact exercises like swimming or cycling may be safer options while recovering. Follow your healthcare provider's advice on when and how to return to full activity.

Sources

1. MedlinePlus: Shin Splints — U.S. National Library of Medicine / National Institutes of Health.
2. MedlinePlus: Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome — U.S. National Library of Medicine / National Institutes of Health.
3. Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome) — Mayo Clinic.
4. MedlinePlus: Telehealth — U.S. National Library of Medicine / National Institutes of Health.
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Physical Activity Basics — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This telemedicine guidance is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for in-person medical care. If you have severe, worsening, or emergency symptoms, please seek immediate medical attention from a healthcare professional.