hey billy boy. You have it backwards with your shin splints(no flame intended). Shin Splints are not caused by fractures, but shin splints can cause fractures. I hope my knowledge will help u guys out.


Shin Splints can occur in one of two muscles. The Soleus or the Tibialis anterior. The Soleus is found on the inside of your tibia (shin bone) and below your gastrocnemius (calf muscle). It runs from the calf to the ankle. The Tibialis anterior is found on the top/outside of the tibia. It runs from the ankle to the knee.

What exactly is a shin splint?

A shin splint is the seperation of a muscle to the bone (Either the Soleus or the Tibialis anterior).

Funtions of the two muscles.
Soleus - helps stabilize the legs on impact of the ground when running,jogging,ect.
Tibialis anterior - like the soleus it absorbs shock on impact of the ground, and it is used to raise the foot towards the shin.


How the Shin Splints occur.

Shin Splints occur from the constant impact of feet hitting the ground while running. And from the overworking of the Gastrocnemius (calf muscle), withouth strengthening the other lower leg muscle (specifically the soleus and tibialis anterior). The calf basically become to stong for the other muscles, and in turn, the other muscles can not support the action of the calf muscle. The strengthening of the calves can also cause them and the achilles' tendon to become "tight" and "shortend". Over time this will cause the Soleus or TA to become elongated. The elongation of these muscles will cause them to actually seperate from the tibia to which they are connected.

What happens if u don't cure the shin splints?

Basically, the longer that the Soleus or TA are elongated the weaker the muscles become and the worse the shin splints are. If the muscles stay seperated from the bone to long, then they are not properly absorbing the shock from walking running ect. and all of the pressure is then obsorbed by the tibia, which will eventually cause stress fractures, or hairline fractures.


How to get rid of Shin Splints


This envolves alot of stretching, icing, rest, and strengthening exercises.
First off, discontinue any running. Second, u must stretch the achilles' and calf muscles thoroughly. Do this by using a towl to to pull the top of the foot towards the shin. Also u must strengthen the soleus and TA. Do this by using an elastic band. Put the bad around top of foot, and straighten the foot, Also do the opposite, with a partner holding the band. And finally, ice the effected area 3-4 times daily. It should take 1-2 weeks to rid yourself of the shin splints.

The best way to keep shin splints from coming back is to STRETCH THOROUGHLY BEFORE AND AFTER EXERCISE!!

Shin splints are no laughing matter, as they can actually cause fractures in your tibia. So rest properly, and get rid of them before doing cardio training.... I hope that you all now realize, it's not the juice causing your Shin Splints.


Hope this helps all you guys out. Peace.