Rarely, conservative treatments for shin splints do not work and a doctor may recommend surgery.
Surgical options for shin splints that do not respond to conservative care include:
In This Article:
Fasciotomy
Making strategic cuts in the thin fascia tissue that surrounds the muscles of the calf can sometimes relieve shin splint pain. This surgery is called a fasciotomy of the deep posterior compartment, and it can be helpful when damage to the fascia of the lower leg is causing shin splints.
Periosteal stripping
This surgery involves removing a thin strip of the connective tissue that covers the tibia, or shin bone, called the periosteum. This surgery can be helpful when shin splint pain is caused by inflammation of the periosteum (periostitis).
Surgical options are only considered only in certain cases and only if several months of conservative care have failed.
