Shin splints are a very commonly misdiagnosed condition. Any pain in the area of the shin tends to be called a shin splint. The actual condition is when the muscles which pass in front of the shins become too large for the sheaths in which they sit. Then when they are used they run out of blood supply quite quickly because of the excessive pressure which the sheates create on them. This condition usually affects those who are involved with running sports. Generally either stopping the sport which is aggravating it or a minor surgery to release the sheath in which the muscles sit can alleviate the problem. Just pain in front of the shins is most often a tight muscle or two due to general ankle and leg dysfunction rather than a shin splint.

For example if your ankle doesn't lift up well - the muscles in front of your shins will need to try to contract much harder in order to move your foot which causes undue loading. In such cases, through treatment, we address all of the various mechanical dysfunctions in order to relieve the shin pain. If there is any doubt that you have full blown shin splits, we would order further investigations to confirm such a diagnosis. In most cases a complete return to your desired activity is possible.

Systemic conditions can also have an impact on this area. Diabetes can diminish blood supply to the peripheries and this will create the impression of shin splints when you increase load on the muscles. We would advise you on any such interactions which may be taking place and help you find an appropriate solution.

Our legs have a great many muscles in them and they are all considerably strong. Hence if they are either weak or tight they have a major negative impact on the joints, tendons and ligaments in our legs. The most common problems are tight quadriceps, hamstrings and calf muscles. All of these are easily addressed through osteopathic treatment, but we need to aim to keep them balanced. We usually need to involve you with doing stretches or exercises regularly. These are most often simple home or workplace based exercises.

For example, we get many patients who work in an office all day sitting. This leads to tightening of both hamstrings and quadriceps. Then in the evening they go for a run which loads the legs with a repetitive impact, but because the muscles are tight, all that impact goes to the wrong place. Ankles, knees, hips or the lower back will suffer as a result. Another example would be concrete contractor who spent the whole day bending forward. He then decides to unwind by going for a leisurely run, but his lower back, hip and knees muscles and ligaments were overstretched and the running leads to impact into slightly weakened structures. The resultant pain may be exactly the same, but the approach to correct the imbalances affecting the legs would need to be completely different.

The hip joint and surrounding muscles can refer pain down to the knee and leg and in such cases most of the treatment would need to focus there. The lumbar spine and its surrounding muscles can also refer pain down to the knee and leg. The ankle can send pain up the lower leg and to the knee. It becomes clear rather quickly that many various sources of dysfunction can send pain into various aspects of the leg. While it may seem like treatment is not addressing the direct site of pain, rest assured that we are addressing the cause of the pain. All of this would be clearly explained to you as diagnosis and treatment progresses.

The main problem in the legs, when it comes to referred pain, is to distinguish between simple joint and muscle problems sending pain, pins and needles or numbness into the leg - and more serious concerns such as compressed nerves in the lower back. The former we can easily address through osteopathic treatment. The latter may need some additional diagnostics and attention from specialists.

Other systemic conditions can also affect the legs. Diabetes for example can cause numbness in the lower legs and feet. Clogging of the arteries can lead to pain all over the legs when you use your muscles and usually the pain sets in after a few minutes of activity and begins to ease within several seconds of rest. Gout can create pain in a variety of joints in the legs and feet. If we suspect that some of these conditions are involved - we would advise you appropriately.

The Achilles tendon, when it's healthy, is stronger than steel. It is able to withstand a force of about 100 times your body weight. Over time it can of course weaken and this leads to micro-tearing or ruptures developing. Tightness in your calf muscles can lead to a predisposition to tearing because it pre-tensions the tendon and then running, jumping or even just walking leads to an overload. Also ankle positions are quite important. A flat or a high arch can lead to a bowing of the tendon which further predisposes it to weakness.

In order to treat an Achilles injury we need to address all areas which are putting undue pressure onto the Achilles. We generally do a scan of the entire leg and lower back area in order to find all potential problems and address them in order of severity. If the Achilles pain you are suffering from doesn't improve with osteopathic treatment, it may be a good idea to get an ultrasound done and confirm the degree of damage.

In cases where a patient is trying to recover from a complete rupture or from Achilles surgery, we will treat all predisposing factors but then we will also discuss activities which are recommended in order to give the body the message needed to heal your Achilles into a new, strong tendon rather than a weak one which will rupture again as soon as any form of mechanical stress is put through it. This is quite important to prevent because your overall fitness and exercise potential may be at stake.