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

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

Open champion Curtis Strange used to leave the tournament with shin splints.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 6, 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

It can be so disappointing for someone when they get excited about running and then they get something like a bone stress injury, what’s colloquially referred to as shin splints.

From New York Times • Jan. 9, 2022

Or that you pushed yourself too hard in your half-marathon training plan and gave yourself shin splints, and now you probably can’t do the race you’ve spent all summer training for.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison