Shin braces (tibial braces) provide mechanical support, physical protection, and pain relief for several clinical conditions affecting the shin. The following are the major clinical applications of shin braces.
1. Treatment of Shin Splints
Shin splints are caused by over-using your lower leg muscles and bone tissue, usually from running or repetitive activities. The two main categories of shin splints are medial tibial stress syndrome and anterior tibial stress syndrome. Shin splints cause pain along the lower part of the shinbone often inside the edge of the shinbone. Shin braces are hand in reducing stress on the muscles and bones on the shin hence providing pain relief and preventing further injuries.
2. Treatment of Shin Stress fractures
Shin stress fractures are a result of cumulative strain on the bone without proper recovery time, this makes the bone weaken over time and forms tiny cracks. This is accompanied by localized pain while undertaking activities that involve the tibial bone. Shin braces stabilize the bone, reduce load, and allow proper healing by limiting movement of the tibial bone which could potentially worsen the shin fractures.
3. Treatment of Tibial fractures
Tibial fractures are open or covered breaks of the tibial bone caused by higher energy collisions, falls, and twisting motions. The fractures can also be caused by pre-existing medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes and osteoarthritis. In cases of partial or complete tibia fractures, shin braces help immobilize the leg, allowing the bone to heal properly by keeping it in alignment.
4. Post-operative treatment of compartment syndrome
This condition is where pressure within the muscles in the shin area builds to dangerous levels. This reduces blood flow to the shin tissues and prevents oxygen and nutrient nourishment. Whether acute or chronic compartment syndrome shin braces may be used post-surgery or during recovery to stabilize the muscles and alleviate symptoms
References
Australia, H. (2020, November 5). Shin splints. Www.healthdirect.gov.au. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/shin-splints
Compartment Syndrome - OrthoInfo - AAOS. (n.d.). Www.orthoinfo.org. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/compartment-syndrome/#:~:text=Compartment%20syndrome%20is%20a%20painful
Stress Fracture or Shin Splints? How to tell the difference - UChicago Medicine. (n.d.). Www.uchicagomedicine.org. https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/orthopaedics-articles/2020/june/stress-fracture-or-shin-splints