Muscles

Tibialis anterior

Dorsiflexes and inverts the ankle.

Referred pain map

Tibialis anterior — trigger point in the upper anterolateral shin with referred pain running down the front of the shin to the medial ankle and concentrated over the dorsum of the big toe — the classic 'shin splints' referral pattern and a frequent cause of unexplained big-toe pain.

Overview

Dorsiflexes and inverts the ankle. Trigger points here are common in everyday and athletic populations and frequently contribute to the referred pain patterns described below.

Trigger point locations

Anterolateral shin.

Referred pain pattern

Anterior shin and dorsum of the big toe — classic 'shin splints' pattern.

Palpation & testing

Palpate the muscle belly along its accessible course. Reproduction of the patient's familiar pain on palpation supports involvement.

Common causes

Running mileage spikes, downhill running, weak intrinsic foot muscles.

Self-care & clinical treatment

Foot intrinsic work, gait retraining. Clinically: needling.

Symptoms commonly linked

Shin splints
Big toe pain
Ankle pain

References

• Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction