What happens if you don't go to the doctor for shin splints?

Maybe wrong diagnosi: Shin splints can go away without professional care if you actually have shin splints. Stressfractures of the tibia can mimic shinsplints and lead to an outright fracture of the tibia. Web is full of treatment programs for shin splints but often you need professional evaluation and guidance to get the correct treatment for your specific complaint. May need x-ray/+- MRI or bone scan.

Depends on severity: Shin splints are typically caused by either a local inflammation of the bone lining in your leg or compromised leg blood flow during exercise. Both issues usually don't require any aggressive management unless you are having constant pain, including night pain, pain with walking/standing or worsening pain. If any of these symptoms are present, visit your primary care or orthopedist.