What exactly are shin splints and what are you supposed to do about them?

Is there any way I can get surgery for shin splints?

• I've had shin splints for a year!!!!!! I've done every possible treatment any of you can throw out at me.... so don't even try..... I've even gone up to taking a month off at a time and they continue to come back..... I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THESE SHIN SPLINTS!!! During outdoor track i had to take 5 advil a day just to be able to practice...... and it's getting ridiculous...... rest doesn't even seem to cure it..... IS SURGERY POSSIBLE? I found this link from an article for some basis..... Treatment Nonsurgical Treatment Nonsurgical treatment for shin splints includes several weeks of rest from the activity that caused it. Other forms of conditioning can be substituted. The doctor may recommend that you take anti-inflammatory medications, or use cold packs and mild compression to feel better. Stretching exercises can also help. In most people, the pain is not so bad with ordinary walking. After several weeks of rest, low-level training may begin. Be sure to warm up and stretch thoroughly before you exercise. Increase training slowly. If you start to feel the same pain, stop exercising immediately. Use a cold pack and rest for a day or two. Return to training again at a lower level of intensity. Increase training even more slowly than before. Surgical Treatment Very few people need surgery for shin splints. Surgery has been done in very severe cases of shin splints that do not respond to nonsurgical treatment. It is not clear how effective surgery is, however. An accurate diagnosis is very important. Sometimes, other problems may exist, which will have an impact on healing.

• Answer:

  eh...seems kind of extreme. i know you said you tried all the treatments, but in my experiences walking around on the heels to stretch and build muscle and icing usually works... i suppose you could go to an ortopedic surgeon and see what they have to say.