OT: Cause of Shin Splints

Triathlon Forum
1

Anyone Know the Cause of Shin Splints whe cycling. I have a friend with
them but have never seen it discussed as it relates to cycling?

Thanks for the help.

2

shin splints are characteristically impact-related. About six weeks into basic training, with guys running in Army boots, there was always an epidemic of shin splints…

I can’t imagine how they could be caused when cycling. Compartment syndrome, although less common in cycling than running, is a possibility:
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/lowerleg/anteriorcompart.htm
http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/1996/04_96/edwards.htm

3

I get shin splints when my calf muscles are really tight. But that’s just me.

4

In essence it is caused by weak muscles in the front of your shins. If you spend a lot of time pulling your toes up, this will work that muscle. This is why people tend to get them when they start to run a lot. You tend to pull your toe up more when you run than when you do anything esle. It is merely made worse by the impact because now that muscle is not helping to absorb any shock, its too beat up to help out. As that muscle weakens it tends to pull away from the bone. Once that muscle pulls away from the bone you are left with little to no shock absorbtion and you develop little cracks in your shins. Thus your shin litterly splinters. Most people never get this far because to do so you have to train through some brutal pain. Most people are on the shelf long before this happens.

It can happen in cycling if one tends to ride with his heel below his toes a lot or tries to pull up on the pedals using his toes/lower leg instead of his hip flexors.

Best way to fix them is to ice them and do alphabet exercises. Hang your foot off the edge of the bed and write the alphabet with your toes in print and in cursive, and then do it backwards. When thats done, do a few 50m walks on your heels with your toes in the air. Those will help to strengthen the muscles and help eliminate shin splints.

Chances are his pain in cycling won’t lead to shin splints, just some sore legs. But, properly working this muscle to prevent shin splints is something all people should do.

5

Anyone Know the Cause of Shin Splints whe cycling. I have a friend with
them but have never seen it discussed as it relates to cycling?

Thanks for the help.
It’s properly referred to as medial tibial stress syndrome… you can’t get it from cycling because there’s no impact (see: “stress”)… you can get it from walking, you don’t have to run to get it…

6

Thanks to all for the help!

Gene