Shin Splints in Young Athletes: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Weekend tournaments, back-to-back practices, and long game days are part of the youth soccer lifestyle. But for many athletes—especially kids and teens—this packed schedule can lead to a painful and frustrating condition: shin splints. At Hart Orthopedics, we often see soccer players from travel leagues come in after a long weekend of games with lower leg pain that makes it hard to keep playing.

What Are Shin Splints?

“Shin splints” is the common name for medial tibial stress syndrome. It happens when the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue around your shinbone (tibia) get overworked. This is especially common in soccer players, runners, and athletes who train on hard fields or turf.

Causes of Shin Splints in Soccer Players

Overuse: Multiple games and practices in a short time without enough recovery. Hard or uneven playing surfaces: Turf and compact fields put extra stress on the legs. Improper footwear: Worn-out cleats or lack of arch support can contribute. Growth spurts: Many players are still growing, and their bones and muscles don’t always keep up with each other.

Symptoms to Watch For

Dull, aching pain along the shinbone (front or inside of the leg). Tenderness or soreness when pressing on the shin. Pain that worsens with running or jumping, and sometimes lingers after rest. Mild swelling in the lower leg.

If ignored, shin splints can progress to stress fractures, which can sideline athletes for months.

Treatment Options

At Hart Orthopedics, we help young athletes recover quickly and safely with both conservative and advanced care options:

Rest & Activity Modification: Cutting back on high-impact activity for a short time.

Ice & Anti-Inflammatories: To reduce pain and swelling.

Proper Footwear & Orthotics: Supporting arches and correcting alignment.

Physical Therapy: Stretching and strengthening exercises for calves, ankles, and hips.

Same-Day Walk-In Care: For severe pain or when parents need reassurance quickly.

In more persistent cases, our specialists may also recommend imaging to rule out stress fractures or offer non-surgical pain management options to speed recovery.

Prevention Tips

Encourage players to warm up and stretch before games. Rotate footwear—don’t let them train in worn-down cleats. Mix in low-impact cross-training like swimming or biking. Build rest days into the week, especially after tournament weekends.

Helping Keep all Our youth Players in the Game

At Hart Orthopedics, we’re proud to support all athletes and families. Whether it’s shin splints, sprains, or more serious injuries, our team offers same-day appointments and a full range of treatment options to keep your player healthy and on the field.

📍 Offices in Massapequa, Syosset, and Selden (opening 2025) — convenient for families across Long Island.

👉 If your child has shin pain after a weekend of games, don’t wait. Contact Hart Orthopedics today for a quick evaluation and treatment.