Shin splints are a pain in the lower leg due to inflammation of the muscles or tendons. For various reasons, your lower leg bones brace themselves to anticipate the jolt from the next step. This stress leads to swelling, tearing, and inflammation of the surrounding muscles.

To avoid shin splints, strengthen your shin muscles so that they are in balance with your calf muscles. Replace your walking shoes often so that your shins don't take a pounding from lack of cushioning. Make sure that your shoes fit properly. If a shoe is too large or too wide, your toes clutch the bottom of the shoe, thereby causing strain to those front lower leg muscles and increasing the frequency and severity of shin splint episodes.