Shin & Calf Pain
Where does it hurt?
Front of (Anterior) Shin & Calf Pain Conditions:
-
A Calf muscle pull or strain is caused when your muscle is overworked or stretched. This can be a ‘one off’ injury or an over use of your muscle over time.
The muscles, Gastrocnemius and Soleus, make up your calf. Too much stress on these muscles could be giving you pain.
If these injuries keep reoccurring or just won’t get better when they should then orthotic insoles can be used to take the stress off your calf.
Your calf muscle works extremely hard to help control the way you walk and run. If the muscle fibers or tendon become overstretched or pulled too hard it can hurt for weeks, feel stiff and sore.
Calf muscle pull/strain can be treated with a combination of orthotic insoles, stretches and exercises, and foot manipulation therapy to assist your recovery.
-
Pes anserinus syndrome is an inflammation of a region at the top of your shin, commonly tendinitis or bursitis.
The Pes anserinus is a complex region of muscle tendons and bursas (small fluid cushions) just below your knee on the inside of your shin. Pain here affects women more frequently than men. Inflammation in your Pes anserinus can be relating to the function of your hip, knee or ankle as it is a connection point between all three joints.
Pes anserinus syndrome can be treated with a combination of stretching/strengthening exercises and orthotic insoles.
-
A Hamstring pull or strain is caused when your muscle is overworked or stretched. This can be a ‘one off’ injury or an over use of your muscle over time.
The muscles, Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus and Biceps Femoris, make up your Hamstring. Too much stress on these muscles could be giving you pain.
If these injuries keep reoccurring or just won’t get better when they should then orthotic insoles can be used to take the stress off your Hamstring.
Your Hamstring muscles work extremely hard to help control the way you walk and run. If the muscle fibers or tendon become overstretched or pulled too hard it can hurt for weeks, feel stiff and sore.
Your hamstring muscles pass behind your knee to attach around your shin bone. Pulled Hamstring muscles could be giving you calf or even knee pain.
Hamstring pull/strain can be treated with a combination of orthotic insoles, stretches and exercises, and foot manipulation therapy to assist your recovery.
Proximal Medial (inside) Shin
-
The Fibula bone runs up the outside of your shin and allows lots of your muscles to work correctly so injuring this bone can have many knock on effects.
Fibular injuries can be treated with a combination of rehabilitation exercises and orthotic insoles
-
Shin splints are a stress reaction to the tissue making up your shin region.
The Soleus is one of your calf muscles and can give you pain on the inside of your shin if it has to work too hard to stabilise your leg against your foot.
Shin splints (MTSS) can be treated with a combination of orthotic insoles and strengthening exercises.
-
Perineal muscles run down the outside of your shin and work to stabilise your ankle and foot.
If they become injured you may suffer pains that can affect the side of your calf or ankle. The Perineal muscles may even be hurt by a simple ankle sprain.
Peroneal muscle and tendon injuries can be treated with a combination of physical therapy and orthotic insoles.
-
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTTS)(commonly known as shin splints) is a stress reaction to the tissue on the inside of your shin bone.
An umbrella term used for up to 31 different conditions giving you pain in the front or side of your shin.
To successfully treat your shin splints you will require a thorough examination to ascertain which type of shin splint you are suffering.
Shin splints (MTSS) can be treated with a combination of orthotic insoles and strengthening exercises
Lateral (outside) Shin
-
Chronic ankle instability is when you have had the effects of a sprained ankle for more than 12 weeks, or, if you have had repeated ankle sprains over time.
When you sprain your ankle ligaments they become vulnerable to spraining again more easily. The more times you sprain your ankle the more likely they are to do it again.
Chronic ankle instability can be treated with strength and conditioning exercises and may require orthotic insoles to help stabilise your ankle.
-
Stiff ankles are when the bones of your ankle stop moving freely over or against each other, restricting one or more of the movements of your ankle.
Stiffness in your ankles is often most noticeable first thing in the morning or after a long period of sitting. Your ankles can be stiff for years before they actually become painful.
The main issue with stiff ankles is that your body will have to compensate in other joints for the lack of movement in your ankle. So if you have achy knees or a stiff back it’s worth considering how stiff your ankles have become.
Stiff ankles can be treated with a combination of physical therapy and mobility exercises. In some cases, orthotic insoles can be used to account for your changed walking or running gait to help you cope with stiff ankles.
-
Osteoarthritis is more than just ‘wear and tear’ of your joints. There are many other factors at play including physiological changes related to your natural aging process.
Ankle arthritis is when the joints of your ankle become thinner and the bone becomes rough and inflamed.
The bones of your ankle joint are particularly prone to Osteoarthritic changes. You are more likely to have an arthritic ankle if you have had chronic ankle instability or if you have had surgery on your foot or ankle joints.
When the joints in your ankle do not work in unison or if they are placed under excessive stress, it can lead to inflammation of the joints (arthritis) and excessive wear and tear. This can go on for years before it becomes painful. Both high arches and flat feet can lead to extra stress on your ankle.
Arthritic ankles can be treated using orthotic insoles to support the function of the bones and joints often in conjunction with physical therapy to aid the mobility of your arthritic joint.
Your body will need to compensate at other joints for the lack of function caused by your arthritic ankle and left unaddressed this can increase the likelihood of injury in your knees, hips or back.
-
Foot Drop is when you can't lift your foot off the ground or if your toes drag when you walk.
Foot Drop is a neurological condition affecting the power of your muscles to work your foot. Foot drop can be the result of local issues to the peroneal nerves or even as a result of sciatic issues.
Foot drop can be treated with a combination of strengthening exercises and ankle foot orthosis so support the function of your foot and ankle.
-
Sinus Tarsi syndrome is an injury to the ligaments which live in a small tunnel between the joints just below your ankle.
Sinus tarsi injuries are often caused by ankle sprains, chronic ankle instability, or poor biomechanics. This causes the small tunnel between the two bones underneath the ankle to become too mobile, damaging soft tissue structures.
Sinus Tarsi syndrome can be treated with a combination of orthotic insoles and strengthening exercises.
Anterior (front) Ankle
-
Muscle pain in your shin is related to the muscles that stabilise your ankle and those that work your toes.
Several muscles that work your toes sit in your calf area. Pain deep in your calf or even your ankle, could be a sign that your toes are working too hard causing a pull in these muscles.
Shin muscle pain can be treated with a combination of strengthening exercises and orthotic insoles.
-
Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) also known as Posterior tibial tendonitis, or posterior tibial tendon insufficiency, is a condition where one of the main tendons supporting the function of your foot and ankles becomes injured.
Damage to the posterior tibial muscle causes pain to the inside of your ankle or even your calf. The posterior tibial muscle is attached to the back of the shinbone and the tendon connects the muscle to the bones of the inner side of your foot. If this muscle is injured your arch will start to lower and your foot will become wider because the muscle cannot support the arch of the foot. This important muscle is responsible for decelerating your foot from rolling in (pronation) and stabilising the inside of your ankle.
Posterior tibial injuries are common amongst those participating in high-impact sports including dancers, runners and tennis players.
Acute or early stage PTTD will cause your foot to flatten more and put more stress on your foot and ankle muscles and may lead to conditions like plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis.
If left untreated PTTD will progress and your foot will become more flat against the ground and you will have a reduced ability to roll your ankle out (supinate your foot)
Posterior Tibial tendinitis can be treated with strengthening exercises and orthotic insoles in the early stages.
Posterior Tibial tendon dysfunction that has progressed further can be treated with Ankle Foot Orthoses along with strengthening exercises.
-
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTTS)(commonly known as shin splints) is a stress reaction to the tissue on the inside of your shin bone.
An umbrella term used for up to 31 different conditions giving you pain in the front or side of your shin.
Shin splints in the area just above your ankle may be related to your bone or to your soft tissues such as tendons or ligaments.
To successfully treat your shin splints you will require a thorough examination to ascertain which type of shin splint you are suffering.
Shin splints (MTSS) can be treated with a combination of orthotic insoles and strengthening exercises
-
The Soleus is the calf muscle that you have never heard of.
The Soleus is thought of as a postural muscle as it works to control your body weight by pulling off your foot as a leaver when you walk and run.
Soleus problems can be caused by flat feet or high arches, changes in your activity or even arthritis in your knee or hip.
Soleus problems can be treated with a combination of strengthening exercises and orthotic insoles.
Distal Medial Shin(inside near your ankle)
-
Achilles tendinitis is an umbrella term used to describe Irritation and stiffness in the tendon that attaches the calf muscles to the heel bone. It is often also called Achilles tendinopathy, Achilles tendonitis, or Achilles tenosynovitis.
As several conditions are named Achilles tendinitis you will need a thorough examination of your Achilles tendon to ascertain what is causing the pain in your Achilles.
Achilles tendinitis can be treated with a combination of strengthening, stretches and orthotic insoles depending on the type of Achilles pain you are suffering.
-
Nodular Achilles tendinitis is a benign thickening of your Achilles tendon usually found a few cm higher than your heel bone.
This is a sign of poor function of the Achilles tendon over time causing it to produce thicker tendon tissue.
Achilles tendon nodules can be treated with a combination of strengthening exercises and orthotic insoles.
-
An Achilles rupture is a complete break in the structure of your Achilles tendon.
An Achilles tendon tear is a partial break in the structure of your Achilles tendon.
If you have ruptured, or otherwise injured, your Achilles tendon previously you will most likely be suffering from reduced ankle function and lack of ‘spring’ in your step. This will disrupt your biomechanics and you will be compensating at other joints for this reduced function.
If you have a history of tearing or even rupturing your Achilles tendon this can be helped with a combination of orthotic insoles and strengthening exercises.
-
Sever's disease is a calcaneus apophysitis, meaning an inflammation at the back of the heel
Unique to growing children, particularly active ones. The pull of the Achilles’ tendon is greater than the strength of its attachment to the heel and pain is felt at the Achilles.
Sever’s disease can be treated with the short term use of orthotic insoles and, once the condition has calmed down, stretching and strengthening exercises.
Achilles Tendon
-
A bruised shin bone (Tibia) is an inflammation to the thin ‘skin like’ membrane covering your bone called the periosteum.
If the stress on your bone builds up and up over time the bone can become bruised. If the stress continues the bone may fracture giving you continual pain when your foot is on the floor and sometimes when it isn’t.
A bruised shin bone (Tibia) can be treated by modifying the stress put through your shin bone, often by using orthotic insoles.
-
A Shin muscle pull or strain is caused when your muscle is overworked or stretched. This can be a ‘one off’ injury or an over use of your muscle over time. Pain in this area is often called a ‘Shin Splint’
The muscles, Tibialus anterior, Extensor Hallucus longus and Extensor Digitorum longus, make up your shin. Too much stress on these muscles could be giving you pain.
Your shin muscles work extremely hard to help control the way you walk and run. If the muscle fibers or tendon become overstretched or pulled too hard it can hurt for weeks, feel stiff and sore.
Shin muscle pull/strain can be treated with a combination of orthotic insoles, stretches and exercises, and foot manipulation therapy to assist your recovery.
Several muscles that work your toes sit in your shin and calf area. Pain could be a sign that your toes are working too hard causing a pull in these muscles.
-
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTTS)(commonly known as shin splints) is a stress reaction to the tissue on the inside and front of your shin bone.
An umbrella term used for up to 31 different conditions giving you pain in the front or side of your shin.
Shin splints in the area at the front of your shin may be related to your bone or to your soft tissues such as tendons or ligaments.
To successfully treat your shin splints you will require a thorough examination to ascertain which type of shin splint you are suffering.
Shin splints (MTSS) can be treated with a combination of orthotic insoles and strengthening exercises
-
A shin bone (Tibial) stress fracture is a break in the integrity of your shin bone. This can range from a small ‘bone reaction’ to a stress fracture.
As with Bruised Bones, stresses build up and over time the bone can become bruised. If the stress continues the bone may fracture giving you continual pain when your foot is on the floor and sometimes when it isn’t.
Shin bone stress fractures can be treated with modification to bone loading and orthotic insoles.
Anterior (front) Shin
Back (Posterior) Shin & Calf Conditions:
-
A Calf muscle pull or strain is caused when your muscle is overworked or stretched. This can be a ‘one off’ injury or an over use of your muscle over time.
The muscles, Gastrocnemius and Soleus, make up your calf. Too much stress on these muscles could be giving you pain.
The big calf muscle (Gastrocnemius) passes the knee and ankle, and when pulled too hard in both directions, results in pain.
If these injuries keep reoccurring or just won’t get better when they should then orthotic insoles can be used to take the stress off your calf.
Your calf muscle works extremely hard to help control the way you walk and run. If the muscle fibers or tendon become overstretched or pulled too hard it can hurt for weeks, feel stiff and sore.
Calf muscle pull/strain can be treated with a combination of orthotic insoles, stretches and exercises, and foot manipulation therapy to assist your recovery.
Medial (inside) Calf
-
A Soleus muscle pull or strain is caused when your muscle is overworked or stretched. This can be a ‘one off’ injury or an over use of your muscle over time.
The long calf muscle (Soleus) works to stabilise your leg against the ground by pulling off your foot. If it takes too much stress it can result in pain.
Your calf muscle works extremely hard to help control the way you walk and run. If the muscle fibers or tendon become overstretched or pulled too hard it can hurt for weeks, feel stiff and sore. The pull of your Soleus is influenced by your foot type, so flat feet or high arches may have a part to play.
If these injuries keep reoccurring or just won’t get better when they should then orthotic insoles can be used to take the stress off your calf.
Soleus muscle pull/strain can be treated with a combination of orthotic insoles, stretches and exercises, and foot manipulation therapy to assist your recovery.
-
A toe muscle pull or strain is caused when your muscle is overworked or stretched. This can be a ‘one off’ injury or an over use of your muscle over time.
Several muscles that work your toes sit in your calf area, the Flexor Digitorum Longus, The Flexor Hallucius Longus as well as the Tibialus Posterior which helps to support the arch of your foot. Pain deep in your calf or even your ankle, could be a sign that your toes are working too hard causing a pull in these muscles.
If these injuries keep reoccurring or just won’t get better when they should then orthotic insoles can be used to take the stress off your calf.
Medial (inside) Soleus
-
A Soleus muscle pull or strain is caused when your muscle is overworked or stretched. This can be a ‘one off’ injury or an over use of your muscle over time.
The long calf muscle (Soleus) works to stabilise your leg against the ground by pulling off your foot. If it takes too much stress it can result in pain.
Your calf muscle works extremely hard to help control the way you walk and run. If the muscle fibers or tendon become overstretched or pulled too hard it can hurt for weeks, feel stiff and sore. The pull of your Soleus is influenced by your foot type, so flat feet or high arches may have a part to play.
If these injuries keep reoccurring or just won’t get better when they should then orthotic insoles can be used to take the stress off your calf.
Soleus muscle pull/strain can be treated with a combination of orthotic insoles, stretches and exercises, and foot manipulation therapy to assist your recovery.
Lateral (outside) Soleus
-
A Calf muscle pull or strain is caused when your muscle is overworked or stretched. This can be a ‘one off’ injury or an over use of your muscle over time.
The muscles, Gastrocnemius and Soleus, make up your calf. Too much stress on these muscles could be giving you pain.
The big calf muscle (Gastrocnemius) passes the knee and ankle, and when pulled too hard in both directions, results in pain.
If these injuries keep reoccurring or just won’t get better when they should then orthotic insoles can be used to take the stress off your calf.
Your calf muscle works extremely hard to help control the way you walk and run. If the muscle fibers or tendon become overstretched or pulled too hard it can hurt for weeks, feel stiff and sore.
Calf muscle pull/strain can be treated with a combination of orthotic insoles, stretches and exercises, and foot manipulation therapy to assist your recovery.
Lateral (outside) Calf
Most Common Shin & Calf Conditions:
-
Your Achilles’ tendon has to control and direct the forces generated by your whole body as they enter the foot and those coming from your impact on the ground as they pass into your leg, this can be as much as twelve times your body weight.
Achilles Tendonitis – means swelling or inflammation of the Achilles. Two areas of the Achilles are prone to this: the middle section of the Achilles’ tendon and the insertion section where it joins the heel bone, known as Insertional Achilles tendonitis. The latter is commonly seen in runners and athletes.
Achilles Tendonitis is a common injury, but the pain appears in many forms. Each form is caused by different movements and your biomechanics. Symptoms can include inflammation and swelling, pain and stiffness. If left untreated repetitive trauma from walking and running will cause the tendon to degenerate.
Following detailed observation of your Achilles pain, BxClinic will assess which therapy will most appropriately help your recovery. This is likely to include orthotics, crafted insoles that fit inside your shoe or boot and support your foot, reducing the impact of your injury. Foot manipulation therapy, stretches and exercises and acupuncture will also help cure your Achilles Tendonitis.
-
Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) also known as Posterior tibial tendonitis, or posterior tibial tendon insufficiency, is a condition where one of the main tendons supporting the function of your foot and ankles becomes injured.
Damage to the posterior tibial muscle causes pain to the inside of your ankle or even your calf. The posterior tibial muscle is attached to the back of the shinbone and the tendon connects the muscle to the bones of the inner side of your foot. If this muscle is injured your arch will start to lower and your foot will become wider because the muscle cannot support the arch of the foot. This important muscle is responsible for decelerating your foot from rolling in (pronation) and stabilising the inside of your ankle.
Posterior tibial injuries are common amongst those participating in high-impact sports including dancers, runners and tennis players.
Acute or early stage PTTD will cause your foot to flatten more and put more stress on your foot and ankle muscles and may lead to conditions like plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendonitis.
If left untreated PTTD will progress and your foot will become more flat against the ground and you will have a reduced ability to roll your ankle out (supinate your foot)
Posterior Tibial tendinitis can be treated with strengthening exercises and orthotic insoles in the early stages.
Posterior Tibial tendon dysfunction that has progressed further can be treated with Ankle Foot Orthoses along with strengthening exercises.
-
An umbrella term used for up to thirty-one different conditions giving you pain in the front or side of your shin.
Shin splints are common amongst those who participate in high impact and rapid change of direction sports, for example, tennis and basketball. Runners who train on hard surfaces are at risk too. Shin splints are particularly common when athletes intensively increase their level of exercise without their bodies being correctly prepared. Shin splints will also affect those who have flat feet, weak ankles or are overweight.
Shin splint pain is felt in the inner part of the shin. If pain persists after resting the injury, it is likely that you have a biomechanical problem. The muscle, bone or attachments between them may be the injured part. Once we have assessed the cause of your pain, we will recommend one or a combination of the following treatments: strengthening through stretches and exercise, foot manipulation therapy and orthotics (shoe inserts).