He frequently suffered shin splints and an inflamed knee. Bone scans and MRI can differentiate between stress fractures and shin splints. Shin splints, knee injuries, and back problems are not uncommon. Shin splints typically occur due to excessive physical activity. Several methods can be utilized to help control pain caused by shin splints. Off-loading techniques can include the use of mobility aids (e.g. crutches) or foot splints. Women are several times more likely to progress to stress fractures from shin splints. This stress is associated with the onset of shin splints. Mandylor played professional soccer in Europe until suffering shin splints. He started experiencing problems with his legs in 1986, when he suffered from shin splints. He is the patron of the Shin Splints organisation. He also had knocked knees, and had to wear painful leg splints. No splints or physiotherapy are given. Well-healed fractures on many bones indicate the setting of splints. Rates of shin splints in at risk groups are 4 to 35%.