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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

shin splints

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

Kansas guard Johnny Furphy played with no limitations after dealing with shin splints during the preseason.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 6, 2023

A potential future major contender missing from this year's Wimbledon is 21-year-old American Sebastian Korda, who pulled out on Monday because of "terrible shin splints and beaten-up feet".

From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2022

At 2.5 miles into a 5-mile run, I felt a twinge in my shin — my worst fear since shin splints sidelined me for two months last year.

From The Verge ● Feb. 24, 2022

So, Ellis’s field hockey is her introduction to words like starting, varsity and shin splints.

From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King