Shin splints: MR appearance in a preliminary study

PURPOSE: To investigate the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging appearance of activity-related lower leg pain (shin splints syndrome) and evaluate the relative involvement of bone and soft tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen patients with activity-related lower leg pain and tenderness on palpation along the posteromedial tibia (shin splints) underwent clinical examination and MR imaging. Five also underwent plain radiography. MR findings were compared with patient demographics, clinical findings, and plain radiographs when available. RESULTS: Four MR patterns were identified: normal appearance (n = 7), periosteal fluid only (n = 5), abnormal marrow signal intensity (n = 5), and stress fracture (n = 2). Increased symptom duration correlated strongly with a normal MR image (P =.002). Plain radiographs appeared normal in all five patients for whom they were available. CONCLUSION: Patients with acute shin splints have a spectrum of MR findings, which suggests this clinical entity is part of a continuum of stress response in bone. The strong association between chronic symptoms and a normal-appearing MR image implies that this modality has less utility in these patients.