shin splints

American  

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. a painful condition of the front lower leg, associated with tendinitis, stress fractures, or muscle strain, often occurring as a result of running or other strenuous athletic activity, especially on a nonresilient surface.

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shin splints British  

noun

1. (functioning as singular or plural) a painful swelling of the front lower leg, associated with muscle or bone inflammation, and common among athletes and other sportspeople

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Etymology

Origin of shin splints

First recorded in 1940–45

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

shin splints

Sources say the issue is not shin splints but an impact injury, which is not quite the same as the initial problem.

From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026

Milwaukee Brewers: Huntington Beach Marina High product Jake Bauers has suffered from shin splints almost all season, and the pain has kept him from playing the outfield lately.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026

In addition to the kind of pain Liem described, other signs of overexercise can include shin splints, tendinitis and stress fractures.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 18, 2022

I keep getting shin splints or stress fractures.

From New York Times ● Mar. 6, 2022

It’s hard to stay grumpy around Teddy, and I don’t have time to wallow about shin splints for the time being because keeping up with him takes every bit of my energy.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

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