Shin Splints

corny

I know its been done a million times over but....

Since last November i've had terrible shin splints type pain in my left leg. At the time i did everything i could. I changed my runners, iced the effected area, warmed up, warmed down, nothing worked. I went to see my doctor and he told me rest is the only cure. Since then its been 11 months now and its still not sorted. Within 3 or 4 minutes of even a slow jog i start to feel the burn. My question is has anyone ever had this problem for so long and since rest obviously isn't a cure is there a more direct approach?

Tobias Greeshman

Not sure I'm a huge amount of help but, but on the runners thing, did you have your gait checked when you changed your runners. If not you could still be in a pair that aren't supporting you right.

Do you do stretches for the shin muscles every day? Or just before a run?

shels4ever

corny wrote: »

I know its been done a million times over but....

Since last November i've had terrible shin splints type pain in my left leg. At the time i did everything i could. I changed my runners, iced the effected area, warmed up, warmed down, nothing worked. I went to see my doctor and he told me rest is the only cure. Since then its been 11 months now and its still not sorted. Within 3 or 4 minutes of even a slow jog i start to feel the burn. My question is has anyone ever had this problem for so long and since rest obviously isn't a cure is there a more direct approach?

Hi there,
Well i've had problems with shin splints this year. Still do but not so bad ruight now almost 100% gone,

Rest and ice a few times a day is the only way to get rid for them, After that you need to find the cause, I went for the Gait analysis and ended upi chaning my runners this helped.

It may also be the case that calf muscle is a lot stronger then your shin muscle and you need to build up the shin. Exercises such as walking on your heals help this, do it with toes pointing in and toes pointing out for about 15 m. Maybe 3 sets, I now do this at least 3 days a week before runs and fingers crossed I have not had any pain in 6 week now.

Also have a look at
http://www.watfxc.com/TF/TF%20Education/shin_splints.htm

johnnyboy4711

anywhere that does it?
thanks
john

corny

Tobias Greeshman wrote: »

Not sure I'm a huge amount of help but, but on the runners thing, did you have your gait checked when you changed your runners. If not you could still be in a pair that aren't supporting you right.

Do you do stretches for the shin muscles every day? Or just before a run?

Thanks for the replies lads. Yeah i have a fairly neutral foot. Got the pair suggested to me. I injured myself doing intensive uphill training and before that i never had a problem. I haven't been for a run since my injury. I have tried lots of stretching and shin strenthening exercises but to no avail. I've tried a few times to do light jogging but within a couple of minutes i have to stop. Situation isn't improving either. Don't know what else to try. Anyone else ever had them for a year!

Running Bing

corny wrote: »

Thanks for the replies lads. Yeah i have a fairly neutral foot. Got the pair suggested to me. I injured myself doing intensive uphill training and before that i never had a problem. I haven't been for a run since my injury. I have tried lots of stretching and shin strenthening exercises but to no avail. I've tried a few times to do light jogging but within a couple of minutes i have to stop. Situation isn't improving either. Don't know what else to try. Anyone else ever had them for a year!

Corny, does the pain go away once your warmed up or is it present right through the run?


If your running in the correct shoes (recommended by a professional after a proper gait analysis), taking a long rest, easing back into it gradually and gently, stretching well (Calf muscles and Achilles Tendon were especially important for me, when I started really stretching these muscles regularly it really helped) and your still getting them I would suggest getting a second opinion or going to a podiatrist and seeing about Orthotics.

corny

Babybing wrote: »

Corny, does the pain go away once your warmed up or is it present right through the run?


If your running in the correct shoes (recommended by a professional after a proper gait analysis), taking a long rest, easing back into it gradually and gently, stretching well (Calf muscles and Achilles Tendon were especially important for me, when I started really stretching these muscles regularly it really helped) and your still getting them I would suggest getting a second opinion or going to a podiatrist and seeing about Orthotics.

It would get progressively worse and i'd probably pay for it the next day if i kept going. I think i will look into a second opinion. I have a pain in my ring with it by now. Thanks for the advice.

Running Bing

corny wrote: »

It would get progressively worse and i'd probably pay for it the next day if i kept going. I think i will look into a second opinion. I have a pain in my ring with it by now. Thanks for the advice.

That could well be a stress fracture Corny. Have you had an Xray or did your doctor suggest it?


Usually as the muscles warm up shin splints go towards the middle of a run but a stress fracture will be present right through the run.



Id defo get a second opinion....maybe somebody here could recommend a good doctor/physio who knows about running. Good luck anyway Corny.

plodder

Babybing wrote: »

That could well be a stress fracture Corny. Have you had an Xray or did your doctor suggest it?

+1. That's what I thought too. 11 months is an unnaturally long time for anything else not to clear up, (assuming the shoes are not the problem)

corny

Babybing wrote: »

That could well be a stress fracture Corny. Have you had an Xray or did your doctor suggest it?


Usually as the muscles warm up shin splints go towards the middle of a run but a stress fracture will be present right through the run.



Id defo get a second opinion....maybe somebody here could recommend a good doctor/physio who knows about running. Good luck anyway Corny.

plodder wrote: »

+1. That's what I thought too. 11 months is an unnaturally long time for anything else not to clear up, (assuming the shoes are not the problem)

Thanks again lads. Going the Doctor monday morning.

shels4ever

Forgot to say that I changed all my footwear, working shoes too, I found really flat shoes caused the problem for me . Also got a compression wrap that I'm still wearing for any run thats more then half an hour.