Can shin splints cause stress fractures in your foot?

Not directly, but...: Shin splints are usually caused by irritation in the lining of the bone (periosteum) of the shins. Stress fractures result from repeated stress to a bone. If you are overdoing a certain exercise, sport, or activity you can cause and or worsen shin splints and/or stress fractures. The two are not related to each other, but may be related to your activity.

Yes!: The constant pulling from the musculature in your foot and leg on your bones can definitely cause a stress fracture in shinsplints. Only x-rays and or further testing can determine this.