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 SEPTEMBER 30, 2006 Bone Scan Diagnoses Shin Splints If you are a runner and think you have shin splints, a special type of bone scan can give you the definitive answer. A relatively new scanning technique called high resolution computed tomography (CT) can accurately show shin splints in distance runners. This scan, also used for the lungs and the heart, differs from conventional CT. It uses a very narrow x-ray beam and computerized reconstruction to provide extremely high definition images. Shin splints, known medically as medial tibial stress syndrome, is one of the most common overuse injuries of the lower leg and accounts for 1 out of every 6 running injuries. Italian researchers from the University of Messina scanned 20 distance runners with no symptoms of shin splints, 11 distance runners with pain due to shin splints, and 10 non-runners. They examined a total of 82 shin bones; 14 were painful and 68 painless. All of the distance runners with painful shin bones had CT abnormalities. So this scan, which is now widely available in major hospitals, is a reliable diagnostic tool for those with leg pain, particularly distance runners. |
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