#53: Shin Splints: The Most Misunderstood Running Injury with Laura Anderson PhD(c)
The Shoulder Physio PodcastShow Notes
Physiotherapist and PhD researcher Laura Anderson just published a paper arguing that "medial tibial stress syndrome" is a 'garbage' name that's been freaking runners out and leading to terrible treatment for decades.
Her proposed replacement? Load-Induced Medial Leg Pain (LIMP).
Yes, LIMP, pun not intended.
The Problem:
"Tibial stress" makes everyone think bone stress injury → stress fracture → panic → rest for months
Clinicians still aggressively massage shins until they're bruised
People rest for months and it comes right back when they start running again
It's one of the most common running injuries and we have almost zero quality research on it
What It Is:
Not a bone stress injury on a fracture continuum
Doesn't get worse if you keep running (unlike actual bone stress injuries)
We honestly don't know exactly what tissues are involved (probably multiple)
Imaging usually shows nothing useful
The fix? Tune in.
Register for The Complete Shoulder online course
Key papers:
MTSS needs a new name - Laura's LIMP paper
Connect with Jared and guests:
Jared on Instagram: @shoulder_physio
Jared on X: @jaredpowell12
Laura's clinic: The Injury Clinic
See our Disclaimer here: The Shoulder Physio - Disclaimer
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