Shin Splints among Sports Persons of Different Reputed Clubs in Dhaka City

Sports injuries are the very common phenomenon among sports persons during the sports events. Among all kinds of lower leg injuries, shin splints is also occupied a noticeable extent. The aims of the study were to determine the prevalence and the associated risk factors of shin splints among the sports persons especially cricketers, footballers, tennis players and hockey players of different sporting clubs in Dhaka City of Bangladesh. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 116 sports persons to determine the prevalence and associated factors of shin splints. Data was collected with the help of interviewer administered structured questionnaire and the check-lists. Diagnosis was done by physiotherapist based on the specific criteria of signs and symptoms excluding fractures and compartmental syndrome. More than one quarter (25.9%) of players was suffering from shin splints, whereas, 3.4% had history (ever prevalence) of shinsplints. The significant risk factors for shin splints were: sports nature (p=0.002), average duration of playing in a day (p=0.001), maximum duration of playing without rest (p=0.001), and increased effort of playing (p=0.001). This study also reported shin splints as a major (68.0%) coverage among all kinds of lower leg pains. Prevalence of shin splints among the sports persons fairly high in Bangladesh which may lead early ending of their sports career. So, proper management and rehabilitation can help them to continue their playing for long time.