If you regularly find yourself participating in physical activities that involve a fair amount of impact with the ground, you could be at a high risk for shin splints.

Shin splints is an injury that can affect anyone, young or old, men or women, and will range in severity.

In some cases, they are so severe that it actually takes the person away from the activity completely, while in other cases, the shin splints can be dealt with and usual activity will be tolerated.

Regardless of how severe your shin splints are, however, it's going to be important for you to take steps to recognize them when they start, and know when it's time to seek proper medical attention.

If the problem is left to go on too long, stress fractures can result, which will really hinder your ability to do anything physically-related whatsoever.

Here are the signs and symptoms you need to watch out for.

Shin Splint Pain

The pain that's typically associated with shin splints will occur right in the front of the outer leg, right below the knee. Sometimes it will be located on the outer edge of the middle region of the leg next to the shin bone, but this will depend a great deal on the position your foot is in when it strikes the ground while running.

Usually the area that's experiencing pain when you're suffering from shin splints will cover a length of about 4-6 inches along the bone and this may or may not be tender to touch.

When The Pain Occurs With Shin Splints

When you are suffering from shin splints, the pain will likely take place during the beginning of your workout, when the tendons and ligaments are slightly more tense.

Often it will decrease as the workout goes on, which isn't a good thing because it means many people will continue on throughout their workout, only doing more damage in the process.

When an actual stress fracture occurs, however, then your activity will likely cease as you'll be in constant pain.

Recurring Shin Splint Pain

Finally, one thing you'll want to watch when monitoring your pain is how frequently you are experiencing it.

Do you only experience it after you do a long run?

Or maybe you experience shin splint related pain when you're running at a much faster pace?

Or perhaps, your pain doesn't even happen when you run - it occurs after the session is finished.

All of these things are important to monitor and report back to your physician about as they can give a closer glimpse as to what's going on.

So, make yourself aware of what shin splints are so you can put your best foot forward to healing yourself.

It's not something to take lightly as they can be a very chronic and serious injury in many people.