How to treat shin splints
Disease description:
My calf has been hurting badly recently, especially after exercising, with increased pain and swelling. After visiting the hospital for examination, I was diagnosed with periostitis of the tibia. I am very worried now and don't know when I will recover. I would like to know whether there are any methods that can help me recover faster and prevent future impact on my physical activities?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Jian
Periostitis of the tibia is a common sports injury, mainly manifested as pain, swelling, and localized tenderness on the front or back side of the lower leg. The periosteum is a tough layer of connective tissue covering the surface of bones. When subjected to overuse, trauma, or infection, an inflammatory response may occur. Below are common treatment methods:
1. Symptom observation: Common symptoms include lower leg pain, tenderness, swelling, limited joint function, and fever, which require careful observation.
2. Imaging examinations: X-rays, MRI, and other imaging tests are recommended to assess the condition of the bones.
3. Rest and ice application: Initial treatment should focus on adequate rest to avoid increasing stress on the injured area. At the same time, ice application can help reduce local inflammation and swelling, approximately 15-20 minutes per session, 3-4 times daily.
4. Physical therapy: Includes heat application, ultrasound, and electrotherapy, which help promote blood circulation, accelerate inflammation absorption, and tissue repair. In addition, appropriate muscle stretching and strengthening exercises are beneficial for recovery.
5. Medication: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules and celecoxib capsules, can be taken to relieve pain and fever by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis. For severe cases, corticosteroid injections may be used to rapidly control the inflammatory response, but long-term use is not recommended. For cases of periostitis caused by bacterial infection, antibiotics such as amoxicillin capsules and cefixime granules may be prescribed for treatment.
