*DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor but I like to think of myself as a personal expert on shin splints. The following information anecdotal and is not medical or scientific. FACT: Shin splints suck. They hurt. They can sideline you from your hike. SO WHAT ARE SHIN SPLINTS: Shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome) is an inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue around your tibia. Pain typically occurs along the inner border of the tibia, ...