What is De Quervain's tenosynovitis?

De Quervain's tenosynovitis is a painful condition affecting two tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. The tendons and their surrounding sheath become inflamed and thickened, making thumb and wrist movement painful — particularly with gripping, pinching and lifting. It is one of the most common wrist and hand conditions seen in physiotherapy.

What does De Quervain's tenosynovitis feel like?

Most people describe pain and tenderness at the base of the thumb on the wrist side, that worsens with gripping or pinching. Some notice swelling, stiffness or a snapping sensation when moving the thumb. Pain can radiate up the forearm and is often worse first thing in the morning or after repetitive hand use.

How long does De Quervain's tenosynovitis take to heal?

Many people see significant improvement within 6 to 12 weeks of appropriate physiotherapy. Longstanding or severe cases may take longer. Continuing to overload the tendons without modification tends to prolong recovery.

Is De Quervain's tenosynovitis common in new mothers?

Yes — it is very common in new parents, particularly mothers. Repeatedly lifting an infant using a thumbs-up grip places high load on the tendons at the base of the thumb. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and the postpartum period also affect tendon tissue, increasing susceptibility. The condition is sometimes called mother's wrist for this reason.

Does De Quervain's tenosynovitis go away on its own?

It can improve over time with rest and activity modification, but without addressing the underlying load and movement factors, symptoms often persist or recur. Physiotherapy helps speed recovery, reduce pain and prevent the condition from becoming chronic.

What is the Finkelstein test?

The Finkelstein test is a clinical assessment used to diagnose De Quervain's tenosynovitis. It involves folding the thumb into the palm, wrapping the fingers around it, and tilting the wrist toward the little finger side. Pain along the thumb side of the wrist with this movement is a strong indicator of De Quervain's tenosynovitis.

Is cortisone injection necessary for De Quervain's tenosynovitis?

Not always. Many people recover well with physiotherapy alone. A cortisone injection may be considered if symptoms are severe or not responding to conservative management. Injections tend to work best when combined with a rehabilitation programme rather than used in isolation.

Can De Quervain's tenosynovitis affect both wrists?

Yes, though it most commonly affects one side. Bilateral De Quervain's can occur, particularly in new parents who are repeatedly lifting with both hands, or in people with inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

What is a SLAP lesion?

A SLAP lesion is a tear of the superior labrum — the ring of cartilage that lines the top of the shoulder socket. The tear runs from the front to the back of the labrum at the point where the biceps tendon attaches. SLAP lesions can cause deep shoulder pain, clicking and instability, particularly with overhead or throwing activities.

Can a SLAP tear heal without surgery?

Many SLAP tears, particularly lower-grade or degenerative tears, can be managed successfully with physiotherapy without surgery. A structured rehabilitation programme focusing on rotator cuff strength, scapular control and load management can lead to excellent outcomes. Higher-grade tears in younger competitive athletes may require surgical repair, but this is assessed case by case.

How long does recovery from a SLAP lesion take?

Recovery time varies depending on whether the injury is managed conservatively or surgically. Physiotherapy-managed SLAP lesions may show meaningful improvement within 3 to 6 months. Post-surgical recovery from a SLAP repair typically takes 4 to 6 months or longer before return to overhead sport.

How is a SLAP lesion diagnosed?

A SLAP lesion is suspected based on clinical assessment including history and specific shoulder tests. An MRI — often with contrast injected into the joint (MRI arthrogram) — is the most common imaging used to confirm the diagnosis.

Is a SLAP lesion the same as a labral tear?

A SLAP lesion is a specific type of labral tear occurring at the top (superior) portion of the labrum. Other labral tears can occur at the front (Bankart lesion) or the back of the socket. The location and type of tear determines the symptoms and treatment approach.

Can I still exercise with a SLAP lesion?

In most cases, yes — with appropriate modifications. A physiotherapist can guide you on which exercises are safe, which to avoid and how to progressively load your shoulder during recovery. Complete rest is rarely required and often counterproductive.

What happens if a SLAP lesion is left untreated?

An unmanaged SLAP lesion can lead to ongoing pain, progressive instability and difficulty returning to sport or work. Compensatory movement patterns may develop over time, placing excess load on surrounding structures. Early assessment and appropriate management leads to better outcomes.

Shin Splints Treatment Adelaide

Shin pain stopping you in your tracks? Whether you're a runner, a footballer, a netballer or a junior athlete in the middle of a big season, our experienced physiotherapy team will get to the cause of your shin pain and get you back moving — without unnecessary time on the sideline.

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shin spints Treatment in Adelaide

What Are Shin Splints?

"Shin splints" is an umbrella term commonly used to describe pain along the shin during or after exercise — but it is not a single diagnosis. Several distinct conditions can cause shin pain, and getting the right treatment starts with identifying which one you are actually dealing with:

Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) — the most common cause; pain along the inner edge of the shinbone from repeated stress on the bone and surrounding connective tissue
Tibial stress fracture — a more serious bony injury caused by accumulated load without adequate recovery; requires a different management approach and often imaging to confirm
Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) — a pressure-related condition in the muscle compartments of the lower leg, typically causing tightness and aching that builds during exercise and eases quickly at rest
Periostitis — inflammation of the periosteum (the tissue covering the bone), often overlapping with MTSS

A thorough physiotherapy assessment will determine which condition is driving your symptoms — because the treatment for each is different, and managing the wrong one prolongs recovery.

Who Does It Affect?

Runners and triathletes increasing training load or mileage
Footballers, netballers and basketball players — from high volumes of running and direction changes
Junior and school-age athletes during growth spurts or pre-season
Athletes returning to sport after a break
Those who have recently changed footwear, surface or training intensity

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Common Symptoms of Shin Splints

Pain along the inner or outer edge of the shin during or after activity
Aching or sharp pain when running, jumping or changing direction
Tenderness when pressing along the shinbone
Pain that eases with warm-up but returns afterwards — or worsens progressively through a session
Morning stiffness or soreness after a heavy training day
Tightness or pressure in the lower leg that builds during exercise (may suggest compartment syndrome)

A key clinical sign of MTSS is diffuse tenderness over a broad area of the inner shin — which helps distinguish it from a stress fracture, where pain is typically sharp, highly focal and often present at rest. Your physiotherapist will assess which pattern fits your symptoms and guide you on whether imaging is needed.

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What Can Contribute to Shin Pain?

Shin pain rarely has a single cause. A thorough assessment identifies the specific factors at play:

Sudden increase in training load, volume or intensity — the single most common driver
Running on hard or uneven surfaces, or abruptly changing surface type
Worn-out or poorly suited footwear for your foot type and activity
Flat feet or high arches affecting how load is distributed through the leg
Weakness in the calf, hip abductors or foot intrinsic muscles
Tight calf and Achilles complex placing greater stress on the tibia
Overpronation of the foot during running or landing
Inadequate recovery between training sessions
Returning to training too quickly after time off

How Physiotherapy Can Help Shin Pain

Our physiotherapists take a genuinely hands-on approach from your very first appointment. We do not just hand you a sheet of exercises and send you on your way — manual therapy and soft tissue treatment are a core part of what we do, working directly on the structures driving your shin pain from day one.

Equally important is load management. Getting the load right — not too much, not too little — is the single most important factor in shin pain recovery. We work with you to modify training in a way that protects the shin while keeping you as fit and active as possible, then progressively rebuild load so the bone and tissue adapt properly.

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Treatment is tailored to your specific diagnosis, sport and symptom level, and may include:

Hands-on treatment — joint mobilisation to the ankle, foot and lower leg; myofascial release and cupping to the calf and tibialis posterior; dry needling to tight lower leg muscles — all aimed at reducing the tissue tension and stiffness that drives abnormal load through the shin
Load management — a structured, intelligent modification of your training that maintains fitness while protecting the injured tissues; combined with progressive lower limb strengthening targeting the calf, foot and hip
Taping — offloading the shin and supporting foot mechanics during activity while symptoms settle
Footwear and surface assessment — identifying whether your shoes, training surface or recent changes to either are contributing, with specific recommendations to reduce recurrence risk
Return-to-run and return-to-sport programming — a graduated, individually prescribed plan that rebuilds running volume and sport-specific load in the right sequence, with clear milestones and monitoring at each stage

Return to Running & Sport

Returning to full training is not just about waiting until the pain settles — it requires rebuilding load in the right order. Jumping back into full training too soon is the most common reason shin splints come back, often worse than before.

Our return-to-run programme accounts for your sport, current fitness, footwear, training surface and symptom response, and includes:

Graduated running volume and intensity progressions
Sport-specific loading — change of direction, jumping and landing for team sport athletes
Strength benchmarks before returning to full training
Footwear and surface recommendations for long-term load management
Clear guidance for coaches, parents and clubs on training modification during recovery

When Should I Seek Further Medical Advice? 🚩

Most shin pain responds well to physiotherapy. However, seek further review if you experience:

Sharp, focal pain in one spot on the shin rather than a broad ache
Pain at rest or pain that wakes you at night
Visible swelling, redness or warmth over the shin
Shin pain following a fall, collision or sudden impact
No improvement with appropriate load reduction and physiotherapy
These features may indicate a stress fracture or another condition requiring imaging and medical review before continuing activity.

Why Choose Active Balance Physio & Wellness?

Experienced multidisciplinary team

Physio-led integrated care

Physio, massage, myo & rehab under one roof

Individualised treatment plans

Friendly, caring team focused on results

Convenient Adelaide location

After-hours appointments available

Frequently Asked Questions

Is "shin splints" an actual diagnosis? Not exactly. It is a catch-all term for shin pain during exercise, but the underlying cause varies between individuals. The most common is medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), but tibial stress fracture, chronic exertional compartment syndrome and periostitis can all present similarly. Getting the right diagnosis matters — because each condition responds to different treatment. Your physiotherapist will assess your specific symptom pattern and guide management from there.

What is the difference between shin splints and a stress fracture? MTSS causes a diffuse, broad ache along the inner shin that typically eases with warm-up and worsens with prolonged activity. A stress fracture tends to produce sharp, focal pain at one specific point on the bone, is often painful at rest and does not ease with warm-up. If your pain is highly localised or present outside of exercise, your physiotherapist will advise whether an X-ray or MRI is needed to rule out a stress fracture before continuing training.

Do I have to stop running completely? Not necessarily, and in most cases complete rest is not the right answer. It reduces fitness, delays the graduated bone loading that drives recovery and often leads to a worse flare when training resumes. A well-managed load reduction — adjusting volume, intensity, surface and footwear — typically allows continued activity while the shin settles. Your physiotherapist will prescribe a specific plan based on your current symptom level and diagnosis.

How long do shin splints take to recover? Mild to moderate MTSS typically resolves within 4–8 weeks with appropriate management. More severe or longstanding cases — particularly where training has continued through significant pain — can take longer. The two biggest factors in keeping recovery time short are early diagnosis and intelligent load management from the start.

Can shin splints affect both legs at the same time? Yes — bilateral shin pain is common, particularly in runners and junior athletes who have rapidly increased their training. If both shins are affected, this actually supports a load-related diagnosis like MTSS rather than a specific structural injury to one side.

Are shin splints common in juniors and teenagers? Very. Junior athletes — particularly those going through growth spurts or entering a heavy pre-season — are among the most commonly affected groups. Bones and tendons adapt at different rates during adolescence, increasing vulnerability to overuse injuries. Early management is important to prevent progression to a more serious stress injury.

Does footwear make a difference? Yes — significantly. Worn-out shoes, footwear that does not suit your foot type, or a recent change in shoe type or training surface are among the most common and most overlooked contributors to shin pain. Your physiotherapist will assess whether footwear is a factor and provide specific guidance as part of your overall plan.

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Get back to running, training and competing without the shin pain. Book with our team today and start a personalised plan to recover faster and stay that way.

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