Chronic shin pain, please help!
Hi,
During the past year I have suffered from three stress fractures (one on each tibia and one on my third metatarsal of my left foot). I’ve also had a second degree sprain of my MCL and have had to have physical therapy for patellofemoral syndrome. My physical therapist determined that most of my problems were caused by the fact that my feet are flat and I over pronate. She then gave me some specially made orthotics. I also have been wearing shoes with extra support to correct my over-pronation.
I am currently particiating in indoor track, we practice three days a week and I swim three days a week. However, I have been having chronic pain in my shins. At first I thought it was posterior shin splints and rested for two weeks. I then returned to running and I’m still experiencing pain. I am rather confussed because the pain I am experiencing now is completely different than that I experienced before I rest. I am able to walk without pain. However, when I run I experience extreme pain until I am warmed up properly. After this, I have no pain. My innner shins are EXTREMELY tender to the touch on the insides in a space about 3-4 inches long.
I have been doing ice massage twice daily and taking ibroprofin (sp?). Is there anything else to do?
I asked my trainer if this could possibly result in another stress fracture. He said that it is probably just inflammation that some people just have to deal with. Is this accurate?
Any suggestions?
Thank you,
runnerchick
6 comments
STP
Sorry it took me so long to reply. Thanks for all of your help. I did get an x-ray and I have a stress fracture in my tibia. I run the 800 and we had been running on concrete a lot and I think that is what did me in.
Thanks,
Joe
runnerchick
You might want to go see a doc just to rule out the possibility of a stress fracture. However, you’re probably right about what he’ll tell you to do as far as treatment rest, ice, and all that other stuff.
What events do you run? I run the 400 and 800. After talking to my coach she decided that the sprint work what was probably making this my problem worse. So I’ve been doing more distance but at a slower pace, which seems to be helping somewhat. Perhaps simply changing your training will help with your shin splints, too.
Anyhow, good luck this spring!
runnerchick
fox
unless youve been running alot, or are very osteoporitic you probably dont have a stress fracture. start with the feet, if your running on an improper foundation, youll definately have pain rangine from ankles, shins to knees and lowback. get some custom orthotics. next important thing is lots of warm up and good stretching. and dont forget new shoes are a big cause of shin splints till they are broken in.
STP
I am having the same problem you are. I am running track for my first time (I am a senior) and my posterior shins have been hurting so bad after I run the following morning I can barely walk. I am “pigeon toed” and have flat feet which I’ve heard can be the problem. My coach tells me to run through it, but each time I do it gets progressivly worse. I am only having major pain in my left shin and I can pin point the pain, although I do have some pain in my right shin also.
After reading information from many sites I have concluded I probably have a stress fracture. Should I go to a doctor and get a second opinion or will they just tell me the same things I already know (rest, ice, etc…)
Thanks,
Joe
runnerchick
Thanks for the advice! I went to my sports doc and he said that he had the same problem when he played soccer in college. He said it mainly has to do with the fact that I over pronate.
I’m supposed to have physical therapy for a few weeks for ultrasound to see if that helps.
I tried taping my shins like you suggested and it has been offering me a lot of pain relief.
Thanks again!
runnerchick
mikew
It sounds like you might need to rest unfortunately. You appear to be in a chronic pain cycle which may get worse.
You can try taping the shins as shown on the site – this allows them to rest and recover much better – use it throughout the day for a few days.
Long term you may need to stretch the muscles at the back of the shin and massage with cross frictins. If you get your thumb in at the back of the shin you may find tight tender muscles that need to be relaxed and stretched. heat retainer may help to do this also.