New England Baptist Bone and Joint Institute, Sports Medicine Division, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
The patient presenting with complaints of chronic exercise-induced lower leg pain can be a diagnostic challenge. Although myriad specialized diagnostic studies and modalities are at one's disposal, emphasis on a logical history and physical usually can identify the underlying cause without exposing the patient to any unnecessary testing. A well-directed history and physical, coupled with an understanding of the current state of knowledge regarding the pathophysiology and pathomechanics of shin splints, helps meet this challenge effectively.