Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026
09:10
The Lower Body Positive Pressure Treadmill for Knee Osteoarthritis Rehabilitation
Published on: July 22, 2019
Fatigue bone injuries causing anterior lower leg pain
Juha-Petri S Ruohola1, Martti J Kiuru, Harri K Pihlajamäki
1Research Institute of Military Medicine, Helsinki, Finland.
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
|March 9, 2006
Summary
Shin splints, or stress-related anterior lower leg pain, are often caused by bone stress injuries, primarily in the tibia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial for accurate diagnosis and timely treatment of these injuries in active individuals.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- Shin splints, characterized by anterior lower leg pain, can stem from various causes, including stress fractures.
- Bone stress injuries are a significant concern in physically active populations, particularly military recruits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and characteristics of bone stress injuries in military patients presenting with shin splints.
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in identifying these injuries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 154 military patients with stress-related anterior lower leg pain over a 5-year period.
- Diagnosis of bone stress injuries using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Analysis of injury location, incidence, and correlation with MRI findings.
Main Results:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnosed bone stress injuries in 56% of patients (143 injuries in 86 patients).
- The incidence of bone stress injury was 117 per 100,000 person-years in military service.
- The tibia was the most common site (99%), with the distal tibial shaft being the most frequent location (57%).
Conclusions:
- Bone stress injuries, predominantly in the tibia, are a common cause of shin splints in military personnel.
- Early MRI diagnosis is essential for appropriate management of exercise-induced lower leg pain.
- The distal lateral tibial shaft is the most commonly affected area.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Bones of the Lower Limb: Tibia and Fibula
The tibia is the main weight-bearing bone of the lower leg. It is larger than the fibula with which it is paired. The tibia is also the second longest bone in the body and is located right below the skin. The proximal end of the tibia forms the medial and the lateral condyle, which articulates with the condyles of the femur to form the knee joint. Between the articulating surfaces is the irregular elevated area known as the intercondylar eminence that serves as the inferior attachment point for...
01:16Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella
The femur is the body's longest and strongest bone spanning the thigh region. Its head articulates with the acetabulum of the hip bone to form the hip joint. A minor indentation on the medial side of the femoral head, called the fovea capitis, serves as the site of attachment for the ligament of the head of the femur. This weak ligament spans the femur and acetabulum and supports the hip joint. The narrowed region below the head is the neck of the femur. The inclination angle between the neck...
01:21Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...
01:28Muscles of the Leg that Move the Foot and Toes
The human leg comprises an intricate system of muscles that facilitate the movement of feet and toes. Within this system, the muscles are categorized into the anterior, lateral, and posterior compartments, each with a unique set of muscles carrying out specific functions.
Anterior Compartment
The anterior compartment includes muscles that contribute to the dorsiflexion of the foot. This compartment houses the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and extensor digitorum longus muscles.
Anterior Compartment
The anterior compartment includes muscles that contribute to the dorsiflexion of the foot. This compartment houses the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and extensor digitorum longus muscles.
01:29Blood and Nerve Supply to the Bones
Bones are dynamic organs that require a rich supply of oxygen and nutrients. Around 5% to 10% of the cardiac output supplies blood to the bones. A typical long bone has three main sources: the nutrient artery, the metaphyseal and epiphyseal arteries, and the periosteal arteries.
Nutrient Artery
The nutrient artery is the main blood vessel that enters the diaphysis via the nutrient foramen. While most long bones have only one nutrient foramen, large bones, such as the femur, may have two. This...
Nutrient Artery
The nutrient artery is the main blood vessel that enters the diaphysis via the nutrient foramen. While most long bones have only one nutrient foramen, large bones, such as the femur, may have two. This...
01:23Muscles that Move the Leg
The movement of the legs is facilitated by numerous muscles located within the anterior, medial, and posterior compartments of the thigh.
Anterior Compartment
The quadriceps femoris, the most visible muscle of the anterior compartment, is integral for leg extension and thigh flexion. It is formed by merging four distinct muscles — the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius, and rectus femoris. The quadriceps tendon, a shared tendon of the four quadriceps muscles, is affixed to...
Anterior Compartment
The quadriceps femoris, the most visible muscle of the anterior compartment, is integral for leg extension and thigh flexion. It is formed by merging four distinct muscles — the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius, and rectus femoris. The quadriceps tendon, a shared tendon of the four quadriceps muscles, is affixed to...