- Part 1 Introduction to musculoskeletal medicine
- Part 2 Structural pathology; dysfunction; pain
- Part 3 Regional disorders
- Chapter 23 Clinical examination
- Chapter 24 Investigative techniques
- Chapter 25 Musculoskeletal injections
- Chapter 26 Endoscopically determined pain sources in the lumbar spine
- Chapter 27 Regional somatic dysfunction
- Chapter 28 Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Chapter 29 Chest wall pain
- Chapter 30 The joints of the shoulder girdle
- Chapter 31 Structural disorders of the shoulder
- Chapter 32 Rehabilitation strategies—shoulder disorders
- Chapter 33 Upper limb disorders
- Chapter 34 The pelvis
- Chapter 35 Sacroiliac joint disorders
- Chapter 36 Structural disorders of the knee
- Chapter 37 Patellofemoral/extensor mechanism disorders
- Chapter 38 Soft tissue injuries at the knee
- Chapter 39 Superior tibiofibular joint
- Chapter 40 Exertional lower leg pain
- Chapter 41 Biomechanics of the foot and ankle
- Chapter 42 The ankle joint
- Chapter 43 The subtalar joint
- Chapter 44 Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
- Chapter 45 Tendinopathies and enthesopathies
- Chapter 46 Metatarsalgia
- Chapter 47 Podiatry (podiatric medicine and surgery)
- Part 4 Management strategies
(p. 450) Exertional lower leg pain
- Chapter:
- (p. 450) Exertional lower leg pain
- Author(s):
Gurjit Bhogal
and Mark Batt
- DOI:
- 10.1093/med/9780199674107.003.0040
Historically, patients presenting with exertional lower leg pain have been diagnosed with ‘shin splints’. The term ‘shin splints’ is non-specific, descriptive, and thus unhelpful for patient management. This chapter concentrates on three pathologies that must be understood to allow effective evaluation and management of patients presenting with exertional lower leg pain. These three pathologies are bony stress injury, medial tibial stress syndrome, and chronic exertional compartment syndrome. These three diagnoses may coexist, creating a difficult clinical picture for the assessing clinician. Exertional lower leg pain is a diagnostic challenge and thorough history taking and examination skills are vital for successful diagnosis. This chapter also reviews other potential causes of exertional lower leg pain including popliteal artery entrapment, fascial hernias, and nerve entrapments.
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- Part 1 Introduction to musculoskeletal medicine
- Part 2 Structural pathology; dysfunction; pain
- Part 3 Regional disorders
- Chapter 23 Clinical examination
- Chapter 24 Investigative techniques
- Chapter 25 Musculoskeletal injections
- Chapter 26 Endoscopically determined pain sources in the lumbar spine
- Chapter 27 Regional somatic dysfunction
- Chapter 28 Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Chapter 29 Chest wall pain
- Chapter 30 The joints of the shoulder girdle
- Chapter 31 Structural disorders of the shoulder
- Chapter 32 Rehabilitation strategies—shoulder disorders
- Chapter 33 Upper limb disorders
- Chapter 34 The pelvis
- Chapter 35 Sacroiliac joint disorders
- Chapter 36 Structural disorders of the knee
- Chapter 37 Patellofemoral/extensor mechanism disorders
- Chapter 38 Soft tissue injuries at the knee
- Chapter 39 Superior tibiofibular joint
- Chapter 40 Exertional lower leg pain
- Chapter 41 Biomechanics of the foot and ankle
- Chapter 42 The ankle joint
- Chapter 43 The subtalar joint
- Chapter 44 Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
- Chapter 45 Tendinopathies and enthesopathies
- Chapter 46 Metatarsalgia
- Chapter 47 Podiatry (podiatric medicine and surgery)
- Part 4 Management strategies