Shockwave Therapy for shin splints (MTSS)
Shin splints, medically called MTSS (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome), is a common overuse injury that causes pain along the inner (medial) edge of the shin bone (tibia) - commonly seen in road runners, dancers, basketball, football and netball players.
MTSS isn’t a single structure being “injured.” It’s a stress reaction of the tibia and its surrounding tissues caused by repetitive loading.
Key features of MTSS are;
-
Pain along the inside of the lower leg
-
Pain that comes on during or after exercise
-
Tenderness spread over a long section of the shin
-
Often improves with rest or reduced activity, especially early on
What are the main causes of shin splints (MTSS)?
Shin splints is best thought of as a bone stress reaction. Repetitive impact loads (like running) stress the tibia. The bone and its covering (periosteum) can’t adapt fast enough which leads to pain and inflammation along the inner edge of the shin
Common contributors of MTSS include:
1. Training errors
-
Sudden increase in mileage, speed, or intensity
-
Too much running on hard or cambered surfaces
-
Inadequate recovery between sessions
2. Excessive tibial loading
-
Repetitive impact forces from running and jumping
-
Poor shock absorption through the foot–ankle–calf complex
3. Biomechanical factors
-
Excessive or prolonged foot pronation
-
Reduced ankle dorsiflexion
-
Weak calf, foot, or hip muscles
4. Bone stress vulnerability
-
Low bone density or poor bone health
-
Energy deficiency / under-fueling (common in endurance athletes)
-
Vitamin D deficiency
We can speed up your recovery from injury with a combination of Myofascial release, Radial and Focused Shockwave Therapy within the same sessions.
Depending on whether it is Acute or Chronic, 3 - 6 sessions are generally required for most people to gain complete pain relief and make a full recovery from shin splints (MTSS).
The new way to treat MSK.
How Shockwave Therapy helps with shin splints (MTSS).
Shockwave therapy (ESWT) can help shin splints (MTSS) mainly by reducing pain and improving the bone–tissue healing response.
How shockwave therapy helps MTSS.
1. Pain modulation
Shockwave has a strong neuromodulatory effect: It reduces pain signaling from irritated periosteum (bone lining). Decreases levels of pain-related neuropeptides (e.g. substance P) and desensitises local nerve endings. This often leads to faster pain relief, sometimes within a few sessions.
2. Stimulates tissue healing
Shockwave creates controlled micro-stress that: Increases local blood flow. Promotes release of growth factors and stimulates bone and periosteal remodeling. This supports recovery in chronic MTSS, where healing has stalled.
3. Improves tolerance to rehab loading
By lowering a persons level of pain they are able to resume graded running and strengthening sooner. Rehab exercises become more tolerable and adherence improves, so Shockwave acts as a bridge back to loading, not a stand-alone fix.
4. Reduces chronic periosteal sensitivity
In long-standing MTSS, the periosteum becomes hypersensitive. Shockwave helps reset that sensitivity, making everyday impact less painful.
Take your recovery to the next level with scientifically proven Shockwave technology. Shockwave Therapy is clinically proven and well approved by top orthopedics and is now used by well established professional sports bodies, such as elite Premier League Football and Rugby Union clubs.