Shin-bang

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Shin-bang is a slang term for a medical condition developed in snow skiing. The condition involves pain, abrasion, blistering, bruising, and/or swelling in the lower shin area, caused by contact with ski-boots. The causes of this condition are often debated among the skiing community, but most often occur in frequent skiers who spend many consecutive days on the mountain and/or many days skiing during a season.

[edit] Causes of shin-bang

Shin-bang has been variously attributed to the following causes:

Improperly fitting ski boots
Boots that are too soft (i.e. boots that flex forward easily)
Boots that are too hard (i.e. boots that do not flex forward easily)
Underdeveloped muscular structure in the calf and shin
Using a stance that is too far back on the skis
Using a stance that is too far forward on the skis
Skiing in hard or icy conditions, particularly when the terrain has moguls

[edit] Remedies for shin-bang

There are many purported remedies for shin-bang, however there does not seem to be a consensus in the skiing community as to the most effective cure. Some remedies commonly circulated by boot-fitting professionals, avid skiers, and/or medical professionals:

Boot adjustments to reduce the amount of movement of pressure to the shin area, including:
- The addition of extra materials around the shin area, such as shims, pads, or plates
- Additional straps to tighten the upper-calf of the boot, thus reducing movement throughout the shin area
- Custom-fit ski-boot liners
- Changes to heel height, boot-cant (the lateral orientation of the calf with respect to the base of the boot) or other adjustments to the orientation of the foot within the boot
RICE - Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
Temporary or extended break from skiing activity
Materials or chemicals added to the shin area to reduce abrasion, such as armor-all, plastic bags, stockings worn under or over ski-socks
Shaving the hair from the shin and the lower-calf