The term shin splints, or medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS),
describes a condition common in runners who develop pain on the
inside of the shin bone. This is in particular common in young
athletes, who have progressed their running or jumping too
quickly, and who have trained most often on hard surfaces. It is
more common in female athletes than in males. It used to be
believed that this condition was caused by traction on the
membrane around the tibial bone, causing inflammation of this
membrane, or periostitis. Others believed that it caused strain
or inflammation of the muscles attaching here, including of the
posterior tibial and soleus tendons. However, research today has
shown that the pain is caused by bony overload, and there is no
evidence of periostitis or tendinitis. Imaging studies have
shown mild bone weakness and loss of bone density, or
osteopenia, of the tibia which returns to normal when the
condition resolves. Based on recent research, we know that a
person may be prone to developing MTSS