Pain in shins when running

TomD101

Hi, I'm a pretty inexperienced road-runner but whould consider myself reasonably fit through participating in rugby and gyming. When out for a light run last night I had to stop due to a pain in my right shin. I never had any problems with shin splints or the like before and I was wearing proper shoes for running. Any ideas what would have caused this or what I can do to make sure I'm not hampered by it in the future? Any help appreciated.

pipsqueak

ah the auld shinitis! had it meself few years back, stopped off in local boozer for few scoops and it just went away! u shud try it!:D

theiceman00000

Hi Mate,

I have had the same problem over the last while and it is very sensitive to touch the shin bone along the side at times. I too wear good trainers but this didnt seem to make a difference as it kept hurting after a couple of runs.

I was at my doctor for something else at this time and after I told him what the problem was he told me it was shin splints. I have found doing shin stretches(sitting back on the front of your feet and stretching them,like in a yoga posture) has helped me a lot. I find my shins dont get as sore now because from doing the stretches I have improved my flexibility in that area and poor flexibility is most like the cause of your shin splints. Hope this helps, it worked for me.

BossArky

You may get better advice over on the Marathon / Triathlon forum as there are probably more runners over there.

If most of your running to date has been on grass then it may take a while before you get used to the extra impact of the road.

theiceman00000

Hi Mate, no need to go anywhere else for an answer to your question. You are getting the pain in your shins from bad flexibility in your shins. I have had the same problem and stretching them out as I detauiled above is the answer to your problem.

TomD101

Thanks for that Iceman - Strange to think that flexibility would be a problem considering there is very little muscle around that area but I say that might be the problem. I'll try the stretched and see if there is any improvement.

Would a bad running style cause this - ie not running enough on your toes? I'm thinking running on the soles of your feet may cause shins to take more impact?

seagull

Google anterior shin splints, and you'll get a good idea of the problem. You need to concentrate on getting your calf muscles stretched out. Strictly speaking, it's now referred to as compartment syndrome rather than shin splints.

cmyk

Tom, I'm not a runner and wouldn't claim to be, but your type of shoe can give shinsplints too, might be something to look into. Different shoes to suit different styles of running too...pronation/supanation.

hunnymonster

theiceman00000 wrote: »

Hi Mate, no need to go anywhere else for an answer to your question. You are getting the pain in your shins from bad flexibility in your shins. I have had the same problem and stretching them out as I detauiled above is the answer to your problem.

nonsense. There are lots of reasons for pain in the shins! Just because something worked for you, does not mean it will for the OP. This type of bad (and potentially dangerous) advice gets my goat up!

theiceman00000

hunnymonster wrote: »

nonsense. There are lots of reasons for pain in the shins! Just because something worked for you, does not mean it will for the OP. This type of bad (and potentially dangerous) advice gets my goat up!

When I read the initial post it was like I had wrote it myself. I know exactly what he is referring to. Yes there are lots of reasons for a pain in the shin while running but if he is wearing good shoes then this is most likely not the problem. I discovered in my case it was bad flexibility and the shin was being strained as a result when I ran. I solved this by improving the flexibility in my shin and lower leg and the pains have now ceased when I run. I dont think this is bad advise at all and I personally would take advise quicker from someone who has experienced first hand my injury, seen a doctor and took successful measure to deal with and remove the injury than someone who is only able to give advise if you ever find your goat being up.

Pat Mustard

theiceman00000 wrote: »

When I read the initial post it was like I had wrote it myself. I know exactly what he is referring to. Yes there are lots of reasons for a pain in the shin while running but if he is wearing good shoes then this is most likely not the problem. I discovered in my case it was bad flexibility and the shin was being strained as a result when I ran. I solved this by improving the flexibility in my shin and lower leg and the pains have now ceased when I run. I dont think this is bad advise at all and I personally would take advise quicker from someone who has experienced first hand my injury, seen a doctor and took successful measure to deal with and remove the injury than someone who is only able to give advise if you ever find your goat being up.

Yes, but shinsplints have a whole range of potential causes, so even if the symptoms seem similar, there could be a different cause. In my case, calf stretches sorted out the problem.

TKD SC

BossArky wrote: »

You may get better advice over on the Marathon / Triathlon forum as there are probably more runners over there.

If most of your running to date has been on grass then it may take a while before you get used to the extra impact of the road.

As stated, there can be different reasons for the problem.

I agree with the above re taking a while to get used to the road impact if you haven't done much road work before. This happened me before and it sorted itself out over a couple of weeks. Maybe try doing 50/50 between road and grass if you can.

d-gal

it could also be from your shin muscles being over active. Often people flex their feet upwards while walking causing their shin muscle to bulge out. If it is that then you need to get some suited shoes for yourself or just special insoles

63587614

Hi guys, I had a problem like this for years, turned out to be more serious, compartment syndrome. Easily fixed though, check out fasioctomy.

Roper

Hey guys, I had lots of pain in my shins and I discovered I was absentmindedly hitting them with a hammer when I slept. Check that out, it's probably the cause...:D

OP if it's causing you persistent trouble then you need to go see a good physio who is used to dealing with runners. Shin splints has become a blanket term for all shin pain so be wary of that. Also be aware that the road is a harsh mistress and any technique failing you have in running will be exposed and exposed quickly on concrete, much faster than on grass. You may need to consciously check your stride and footfalls as you run, which can be exhausting and a bit boring, but I've found it helped me.

floggg

BossArky wrote: »

You may get better advice over on the Marathon / Triathlon forum as there are probably more runners over there.

If most of your running to date has been on grass then it may take a while before you get used to the extra impact of the road.

It might be just that you're not used to the impact of solid tarmac on your feet. When i started running on the road, i used to get a pain in my shins during/after running as well. However, being the stubborn type, i just kept on going regardless, and after a while it just went away completely. Now i regularly do 10k + road runs without any problems.

On the other hand, if it was so sore that you had to stop maybe you should try a physio, if for nothing more than piece of mind.

hunnymonster

As I said, it might be a lot of things. Speculating on the interweb is not going to do the OP any good. (S)he needs to see a professional, hopefully before you lot cause more damage than the current shin pain.

Adelante

Hi, If I may make a suggestion, and please feel free to reject it, seek professional medical advice, if this is constant for you.With regards running, do you warm up first and how do you warm up? -We train for what we are going to do -"Specificity", so if we go for a run, then the theory is we warm up with a light jog, say for five ten minutes, than and only than do your stretches and not b4, now your are ready,just a suggestion, again like all of the above please apply sparingly.:)

63587614

If it is persistent and serious you will not find any better advice than sports injury clinic in Santry. That's where I got sorted. Check out there website, fantastic.

brianon

Yeah. The cuase of shin splints are too many too pin point the OPs problem. But from what the OP has said... It could be from any number of things...(here are some based in just plain jane running/jogging)...

- overworked. Just too much running causing the shin (membrance of bone) to become inflamed,
- bad footwear (worn out) or causin you to pronate,
- road running. Constant hard surface impact,
- road running. Slanted road at side of road.
- tight calf.

Either ease back and see if a gradual increase will solve it or ... seek proper advise