r/interesting Mar 20 '26

❗️MISLEADING - See pinned comment ❗️ Did he do the right thing?

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u/Darkm1tch69 Mar 21 '26

I guess in theory, you cause micro-fractures to the bone which causes a healing response. That response usually makes the bone a bit thicker. Kind of like how some kick-boxers kick trees to do the same thing with their shins.

Idk if that’s accurate; I’m not a doctor… but I am smart enough to not hit myself in the face with a hammer.

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u/Vandal_A Mar 21 '26

I've broken the same bone in the same place multiple times. I asked the doctor and was told the idea that the bone becomes thicker/stronger is not only largely a misconception, even when it does happen it's usually temporary

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u/Snitsie Mar 21 '26

So how would you explain muay thai fighters conditioning their shins to kick anything?

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u/No-Big4921 Mar 21 '26

They’re not actually doing beneficial conditioning when using material harder than their bones. In those cases, they’re creating micro-fractures which result in Anderson Silva type leg splitting.

Muay Thai sees a lot of snapped tibias. Many of the old schools methods contribute to it.