Shin Pain

Shin Pain & Lower Leg Pain Treatment at The London Podiatry Centre

Shin pain is a common issue among runners, athletes, and active individuals — and at The London Podiatry Centre, we specialise in diagnosing and treating these conditions with precision.

The most frequent cause is medial tibial stress syndrome (commonly known as shin splints), which usually responds very well to gait analysis and biomechanical correction. By using custom orthoses, appropriate footwear modifications, and targeted rehabilitation, we address both the symptoms and the root cause.

Gait & Biomechanics

More complex conditions such as chronic compartment syndrome may be harder to treat but can still respond to conservative care when the biomechanics are properly managed.

All the major lower leg muscles involved in shin pain insert into the foot, which is why there is a direct and often overlooked connection between foot function and shin pain. That’s why we always carry out a detailed foot and gait assessment using advanced diagnostics — ensuring treatment is not just symptom-based, but cause-driven.

Whether you’re a recreational jogger or a competitive athlete, we offer a structured, expert-led pathway to help you return to activity safely and effectively.

Causes of Shin Pain and Lower Leg Pain

Shin pain can arise from a wide variety of structures. Accurate diagnosis is critical, as each condition requires a very different treatment approach:

The most common cause of shin pain.
Caused by repetitive stress along the inner border of the tibia.
Strongly linked to abnormal foot biomechanics, overuse, or poor footwear.
Responds extremely well to gait analysis, custom orthotics, footwear modification, and rehabilitation therapy.

Inflammation of the thin layer surrounding the bone (periosteum).
Frequently related to overuse or biomechanical strain.
Well managed through biomechanical correction and offloading.

Small cracks in the tibial bone due to repetitive overload.
Confirmed with MRI scanning when suspected.
Requires offloading, rest, and correction of the underlying biomechanical cause to prevent recurrence.

A more unusual form of shin pain.
Caused by elevated pressure within muscle compartments during activity.
Symptoms typically include:
- A heavy, tight, "band-like" squeezing sensation that worsens during exercise.
- Relief quickly after stopping activity.
- Difficulty "running through" the pain (unlike muscle fatigue or cramping).
We work closely with expert colleagues to arrange compartment pressure studies when indicated.
Conservative management is always trialled first; if necessary, surgical decompression (fasciotomy) may be performed in highly selected cases.

Rare but important to consider.
Popliteal artery entrapment or other vascular insufficiencies can produce exertional shin pain.
The London Podiatry Centre routinely assesses circulation using vascular ultrasound technology to rule out these rare causes.

While very rare in athletes, DVT remains a serious condition that must be excluded when clinically suspected.
The Centre has successfully diagnosed multiple cases of DVT using in-house ultrasound imaging, allowing rapid onward referral.

Injuries to the tibialis anterior, soleus, gastrocnemius or other lower leg muscles.
Diagnostic ultrasound is highly effective at identifying soft tissue tears and guiding treatment.

Nerve irritation or compression can mimic shin pain.
Assessed through nerve testing and ultrasound-guided imaging.
Advanced nerve pain treatments such as cryosurgery and pulsed radiofrequency are available where required.

Occasionally, lower leg pain may originate from the lumbar spine or hip.
Our gait analysis and biomechanical assessments help identify referred or secondary causes.

Specialist Diagnostic Assessment

Depending on your clinical needs, your assessment may include:

In-depth computerised gait analysis
Biomechanical evaluation
High-resolution diagnostic ultrasound
Targeted imaging (X-rays, CT or MRI as indicated)

This comprehensive, tailored approach enables us to pinpoint the precise cause of midfoot pain and design a highly targeted, individualised treatment plan.

Our approach ensures that all potential causes — even rare ones — are fully investigated.

Treatment Options for Shin & Lower Leg Pain

Find out more information about our primary treatment options for shin and lower leg pain related conditions.

Custom orthotics to correct biomechanical overload.
Specialist footwear advice to optimise support and offloading.
Targeted rehabilitation and strengthening programmes.
Activity modification and return-to-sport guidance.

Steroid injections for persistent inflammatory conditions.
Hydrodissection injections for nerve and fascia release.
Needling techniques to stimulate healing in chronic soft tissue injuries.

Pulsed Radiofrequency Therapy to modulate nerve pain non-destructively.
Cryosurgery (Cryoablation) for highly targeted, long-lasting nerve pain control.

Fasciotomy surgery for chronic exertional compartment syndrome.
Collaboration with vascular and surgical specialists for select complex cases.

Why Choose The London Podiatry Centre for Shin & Lower Leg Pain?

True expertise in complex lower limb biomechanics and sports-related injury.
Full integration of advanced gait analysis, imaging, and diagnostic ultrasound.
Comprehensive management — from conservative care to advanced interventions.
Over 30 years of experience successfully resolving shin and leg pain.
Access to nerve pain treatments rarely available outside of highly specialised centres.
International reputation — patients travel from across the UK and beyond for our care.

If you’re struggling with shin or lower leg pain that hasn’t resolved, don’t allow it to interfere with your activity or quality of life any longer. At The London Podiatry Centre, we specialise in diagnosing and fixing complex problems — often after others have failed.