Shin splints at the back of the calf

Shin splints usually cause aching or tenderness along the inner border of the shin. Pain behind the lower leg may instead involve the calf muscles, the Achilles tendon or another source of lower-leg pain. A broad ache after impact can overlap with muscle overload, while sudden pain, bruising or difficulty pushing off needs a different assessment.

Use [Shin Pain](/symptoms/shin-pain/) to compare symptom patterns. Foot mechanics, including [Flat Feet](/conditions/flat-feet/), can influence how the calf and shin share load, but location alone cannot identify a cause.

Pause running, jumping and steep uphill work while the cause is unclear. Gentle walking is reasonable only if it does not increase pain or change your gait. Avoid forceful calf stretching or massage immediately after a sudden injury. Once an assessment confirms an overload pattern, a physiotherapist may guide calf strengthening, ankle mobility and a gradual return; see [Physiotherapy](/treatments/physiotherapy-and-rehabilitation/physiotherapy/). [Gait Retraining](/treatments/physiotherapy-and-rehabilitation/gait-retraining/) or [Custom Orthotics](/treatments/non-surgical-orthopedics/custom-orthotics/) may be discussed when movement or foot mechanics are contributing.

Seek urgent care for sudden severe calf pain with swelling, redness, warmth, chest pain or breathlessness. Arrange prompt assessment after a snap, bruising, marked weakness, inability to stand on tiptoe or difficulty bearing weight. Pain that persists at rest, becomes pinpoint or keeps returning also merits an examination.

Ask which structure seems painful, whether the Achilles or calf needs testing, and which activities are safe. Ask when strengthening should begin and what changes in swelling, weakness or walking should prompt an earlier review.