KT Tape: Posterior Shin Splints

Posterior Shin Splints
The shin is the common name for the front of the lower leg bone (tibia) and its associated muscles and tendons. While muscles on the front of the leg (primarily the anterior tibialis) serve to point the toes and foot upwards (dorsiflexion), the tibialis posterior serves to point the toes and foot downwards (plantarflexion). Anterior shin splints exist on the front of the lower leg, while posterior shin splints present pain along the inside edge of the lower leg in the tibialis posterior tendon. The role of the tibialis posterior is to support the arch as the body moves over the foot during the gait cycle. In medical terms, posterior shin splints is known as posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, or PTTD. PTTD describes a weakening of the tibialis posterior tendon and in severe cases may result in a rupture of the tendon. Therefore, posterior shin splints can be looked at as the onset of PTTD.
If the forces (singular or cumulative) applied to the tendon are greater than what the tendon can bear in its current state, inflammation and microtrauma will result. Excessive pronation, changes of shoe or running surface, compensations for previous injuries or poor mechanics, and general overuse are all common causes of posterior shin splints. Other causes include muscle imbalances in the leg, flat feet or fallen arches, and activity that requires frequent and abrupt changes in direction.
Posterior shin splint pain is specific to the medial ankle, just behind the medial malleolus and along the lower and inner shin. Note that this location is different from anterior shin splints. Pain will be felt to the touch and generally will not exhibit swelling. The pain can range anywhere from faint and annoying to sharp and debilitating. When the condition worsens, bumps can be felt along the area and represent major inflammation and distortions in the underlying fascia. At the onset pain is generally felt at the beginning of activity and dissipates over a short period of time. As the condition worsens the pain is constant and could result in stress fractures.
KT Tape can be a great help with pain and speeding the healing process. KT Tape helps to increase circulation to relieve inflammation, relieve pressure on the painful area, and take stress off of the tissue. Rest is key with overuse injuries and make sure to ice after activity. Other helpful treatments include:
• Adjusting to the proper footwear for foot type
• Run on softer surfaces
• Correct form
• Stretch sufficiently prior to activity
• Use anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs)
• Massage
For additional resources, please visit the KT Tape website at www.kttape.com.

[@KTTapevideos]

Great to hear Lewis, thanks for the comment!

[@KTTapevideos]

I would recommend you visit our website and check out the "ask an expert" forum to get a customized application.

[@KTTapevideos]

Send me an email to [e-mail] and I'll forward it on to one of our clinicians.

[@KTTapevideos]

You can wear the tape for shin splints. It is really good for that condition. If you have any questions on mode of application you can visit our "ask an expert" forum on our website. While you're there you can also check out our store locator to find a store near you that carried KT Tape!

[@KTTapevideos]

The latest application methods are the ones on our website. The basic idea is to cover the area of pain. If you know you have posterior shin splints this video is the way to go. If your pain is more on the front of the shin, then the shin splints video is the way to go. You can also always visit our "ask an expert" forum on our website and get great information and advise from the experts there.

[@KTTapevideos]

You can use this method for both types of tape. Because feet tend to sweat a lot and take most of the impact of the activity a person is doing, we recommend the Pro for foot applications because it will stay on better and longer. But if the cotton tape is working for you that's just fine.

[@KTTapevideos]

@xSpectral just apply the tape a little higher so it's over the area of pain.

[@KTTapevideos]

I would start with our Full Knee Support application. Make sure you watch the newest version. That should help keep your knee cap in place. Let us know how it goes.

[@102BananaSplit]

After my first blip with the tape (didn't trim/shave legs so adhesion wasn't great) I decided to trim my leg hair; the tape stuck well and has reduced my pronation (along with some insoles). Informative and helpful video. Gonna have to start stocking up a bit more on these! Thanks!

[@KTTapevideos]

Good questions. You never want to stretch the tape 100%. That often results in skin irritation and causes the tape to fall off premature . For more specific details please visit our "ask an expert" forum on our website and on of or medical professionals will assist you.

[@KTTapevideos]

@juicyprincess2011 Each piece is 10 inches.

[@KTTapevideos]

Absolutely! The tape was designed to keep you active while you recover.

[@LyubomirLalovMulti]

hey ,if anyone else trying to find out pain in shin bone try Mackorny Run Fast Blueprint (do a search on google )? It is a smashing one of a kind guide for getting rid of shin splints without the normal expense. Ive heard some amazing things about it and my colleague got amazing success with it.

[@KTTapevideos]

Looking forward to hearing from you again.

[@KTTapevideos]

Yes. We have had dancers use it in the past. Let us know how it goes!

[@badblood54]

how effective is this method compared to the other posterior shin splint type of taping in an older video you guys made?

[@KTTapevideos]

Tape before and wear it for several days. It should stay on for about a week. That way you can do several workouts. Let us know how it goes!

[@KTTapevideos]

I would suggest the tape alone, but many people combine the two.

[@KTTapevideos]

No it will work for regular KT Tape and for KT Tape Pro.

[@KTTapevideos]

Unlikely. KT Tape has several unique qualities such as the adhesive and elasticity which set it apart from regular athletic tape. You can check out the store locator on our website to find some KT Tape near you.

[@KTTapevideos]

I would combine this one with the calf application. Let us know how it goes!

[@KTTapevideos]

Give it a try. Make sure you cover the area that hurts. Or you can post on our FB page and explain your particular injury and we can get you a customized application!

[@magdaleneobrien387]

I have shin pain on the inner portion as well as the outer portion, should I try this video or the anterior shin splint video or should I try a combination of the two videos. Also, what is the difference between the new and the older video?

[@KTTapevideos]

You should get 3-7 days out of each application and you should be able play 3 times a week. If you sweat a lot or if you have oily skin you may need to reapply after 3 days.

[@btugrul]

My experince is that the previous taping with perforated tapes provides with much better protection. I was suffering from shin splints and I had a half marathon in two weeks, and I applied the taping in this video before my training and honestly I felt no difference in terms of pain, then I decided to try the previous taping method with perforated tapes (I cut them as guess they stopped producing perforated tapes anymore), and the result was quite good; no pain during the training, no pain during the half marathon and no deterioration afterwards. I cannot say whether it helps the recovery as I am not an expert, but KT tapes definitely support the muscles and provide with protection which makes it possible to keep training while you are in the recovery phase of an injury like shin splints. In my experience, Graston technique (scrapping), self massage with foam roller and correct streching exercises help a lot for a quick recovery, and meanwhile you can put KT tape while training.

[@francinesanoy5511]

Thanks this helped a lot!

[@efficientsexy]

Totally agree, the previous version (split KT tapes) were much useful as there were four tapes surrounding the point of pain.

[@courtneyl.545]

@@efficientsexy is the ‘previous version’ the method used in this video?

[@debscom2]

What if the pain is lower closer to the ankle? Is this still the right taping?

[@edwardbermudez7698]

Where can I get the KT dots they don't seem to have them anywhere I've checked nor on amazon.

[@apapercutstings]

I get most of my shin pain on the inner shin bone but when running do get some mild discomfort on the outside of my shin. Which side should I tape?

[@soccerfanatic634]

I can't make it to my local sports authority or I would go and buy some right now, I will ASAP but does this work with other sports tape?

[@KTTapevideos]

Yes. Just apply it 30minutes to 1hour before you start playing.

[@japoneofakind]

Hi I a Taekwondo athlete and competitor and I have shin splints. Would I be able to wear the tape during training with out it falling off?

[@angieleshures]

Oops. Hit enter too soon. This pain only comes along when my workout includes rope skipping only. Would you suggest I tape before or after or both ? Pain lasts 7-10 days depending how much rope skipping (I am semi flat footed)

[@KTTapevideos]

I would start with our shin splints video and adjust it so it covers your area of pain.

[@NewYorkTweety]

Can you wear the tape while running or is it just to supply support while inactive?

[@Offtheheezay95]

is this a long term tape? if so how long would it last and/or is it suitable for playing up to 3 times a week.

[@Carlinchy]

I have that same pain but mine is like 4 inches below my knee. How should be a good use of the KT Tapes?

[@ryannh.9033]

Hello- would it be ok to wear the tape under a compression sleeve or do you suggest just the tape?

[@mimaTVD96]

I have pain just in the inner side of my ankle, but when I saw the physio she found the actual injury was in my calves. Its putting the pain in my ankle. I have also had posterior shin splits many times before so it could also be linked to that. Would this be the best application to cover the three areas?

[@JuicyPrincess2011]

@lumosinc how long is each piece of precut tape?

[@102BananaSplit]

Ordered some KT tape today, should arrive within a week. Have had posterior shin splints for a looong time. I will reply as soon as I've tried this method - optimistic!! Thanks LumosInc

[@kaireyes3526]

I know it’s late but update?😂😂

[@102BananaSplit]

@@kaireyes3526 😂😂 it helped. Managed to complete my marathon!

[@bloopblahboom]

You said to apply the tape higher if your pain is higher...do I still start the tape on the other side of my foot? Or can I just make sure the second piece goes inwards more towards the center to make sure it covers my pain spot? It sounds like a lot of people have pain higher up than where you put the dot. Can you guys make another video showing the adjustments that should be made to the tape when the pain is higher? Thanks!

[@mrchainsaw999]

Would this method of taping by any chance be called 'high dye taping'???

[@sciencefolder]

I don't have KT Tape yet, but i have sports tape, would this method work with that tape too?

[@4n63196]

My pain is a bit higher. Probably 2-3 inches above where you said the pain is more common (where dot was placed). Does this still work in my case?

[@xSpectral]

What if the area of pain is higher? Do still do it from the bottom of the foot and stretch it all the way to cover the area of pain?

[@raghublitzkreig]

when i supinated her calcaneum and pronated her front foot she felt relieved. so my question is would this posterior shin splints help relieve her pain ? and ya she has lot off swelling and her pain started at the great toe gradually travelled up now too much tender felt at the post. aspect of medial malleoli. and further the area you placed your red dot in this video.

[@Balletlove282]

I'm a ballet dancer, will this be ok to use with pointe shoes?

[@oatmilknarsenic]

Im very excited to give this a go. I have weak ankle muscles, particularly on top oddly which has made running very hard. I used to be very overweight and broke both of my ankles, which caused the formerly mentioned weakness, now I'm a runner but have crippling posterior shin splint pain, i run through it usually but im really hopeful that this will do something for this so i can start increasing my distance. Will update tomorrow after first use!

[@ehmo8706]

hey there. look up exercises for ankle strengthening. I'm currently dealing with shin splints, went to a physical therapist and said I had weak ankles and weak hips. so he recommended me to do ankle and hip strengthening exercises. hopefully this helps. but as always check with your physician if you haven't yet :) hope you heal soon.

[@randomdude1405]

Thanks for the update.

[@aliciahia568]

What's the difference between the new and old version ??

[@phoenixtitenhutch5269]

alicia hia less tape. I messed up both legs with long jump during junior year in high school XD

[@KaraCarlson07]

Would I still apply the tape the same way if my pain is a little bit higher up on my calf/shin??

[@shootingmen]

I'm in the same situation as you. Can you tell me how you applied it?

[@TheRedheadkitten]

i dont know what it's called but i have no muscle tone in my thing that hold my kneecap in place, on top of that my kneecap slides inward towards my other kneecap (i'm talking about my left leg) how would i tape it?

[@KTTapevideos]

This is our latest most effective taping method.

[@Vanawaggin]

Is it necessary to remove the hair on my legs in order to use the tape?

[@risky2026]

mark salling it works well even with hair

[@alyssawong9365]

How does this video compare to the old version?

[@KTTapevideos]

Over time we evolve our videos to make them easier to apply and applicable for a wide audience. We actually just shot a new version of the Posterior Shin Splint video along with several other shin splint videos that should be up and live on our KZbin channel within the next week or so, so stay tuned!

[@Offtheheezay95]

thanks!

[@raghublitzkreig]

i have a patient with insidious onset of pain, in the medial aspect of the foot since 3 days. i suspect posterior shin pain or tarsal tunnel syndrome( but no tinnel's sign), when i palpated she complaints of severe pain on even a light pressure and their are also, slight contusions seen around medial malleoeli and below. she obliterated arches in non weight bearing foot and she is obese and gives a history long walk fold by her footwear change.

[@angieleshures]

I only get this pain when I pp

[@user-tb7ik9yf2t]

fkn thank you

[@olegplanets5021]

makes 0 difference for me

[@AmanUllah-nz6vi]

how do i know the difference between posterior shin splints and anterior shin splints

[@joewillburn]

Anterior is the outside of the leg. Posterior on the inside.

[@janaceresnikova]

Som po operacii bedroveho klbu a porušili mi tibialny ner a nepostavim sa na prsty na pravej nohe a ani ich nezohnem.Poradte mi prosím čo mám pretu robiť a ake lieky by som mala uživať na podporu a obnovu nervu.Prosim poradte mi na email:[e-mail]Ďakujem pekne

[@nickcharlette9514]

why is no one talking about that look the girl is giving us at the beginning of the video? Dayuum!

[@sophtheturtle2707]

900th like😎

[@JuicyPrincess2011]

@Lumosinc how long is each piece of precut tape?