Review of Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome: A Comparison of In Vivo and Computational Methods

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS) also referred to as Shin Splints (SS), is the most frequent overuse injury in the lower leg in endurance running athletes and soldiers. MTSS could be defined as pain as evidenced by palpation along the posteromedial border of the tibia. While MTSS may not be considered a serious injury, microfractures that occur in the medial tibia as a result of MTSS, can lead to stress fractures over time. Until recently, effective strategies for the prevention of MTSS have been lacking. In order to prevent MTSS, knowledge of the biomechanical risk factors associated with the onset of MTSS is crucial. This article reviews the background of MTSS and assesses the current literature with regard to the biomechanics of MTSS.