Shin splints are a common athletic injury. They occur when the tissues surrounding the tibia (the major bone in the lower leg) become inflamed. Inflammation can occur in the medial (inner) tissue or anterior (front) tissue of the tibia. The pain localizes anywhere between 1 and 9 inches above the foot. For medial inflammation, the pain will feel as if it is coming from deep within the leg. Anterior inflammation will be felt in the outer regi...