Bruising on Shins from Running on Treadmill?

brcann
brcann Posts: 18
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi guys, I've noticed an increasing amount of bruises on my shins ever since I increased my weekly running average from 9 miles a week to 18-20 miles. I usually get about five bruises and they show up on each leg, solely on my shins and they're pretty big and a dark purple color. Does this happen to anyone else? Any ideas on how to get the bruising to stop? The bruises look so bad on my legs!

Replies

  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,519 Member
    Uh...I have never heard of this before. I usually do about 15 miles/week. You might want to get your iron level checked. I bruise pretty easily; I'm also very fair, so bruises are very noticeable on me. Vitamin K cream can diminish the appearance of bruises. But you should probably get some bloodwork done at your dr's.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    I run 20ish miles a week on the treadmill all winter, every winter. I've never HEARD of this before. I just googled it and see others asking about it... but no real answers.

    I hope you do find out what's causing it.
  • brcann
    brcann Posts: 18
    A few years ago I had some blood work done to test for anemia but it came back negative. My doctor said my blood was all good and everything was normal. A friend of mine who's a pretty avid runner said she'd gotten bruises from what she assumed was running on an incline before, so I just always assumed that that's what it was from since I have no bruises anywhere else on my body and I get shin splints a lot. But hmmm okay I guess another trip to the doctor must be in order :/
  • Bebubble
    Bebubble Posts: 938 Member
    Pain and Bruising of the Shin

    Impact stress from running normally affects the tibia, the large bone at the front of the shin that absorbs repetitive motion forces as your foot strikes the ground. According to Mark Jenkins, MD, of Rice University, muscle fatigue leads to greater force applied to the fascia, the tissue that fuses the tibialis muscle to the bone, causing pain and inflammation within it, and eventually leading to bone stress and even stress fractures. Visible bruising is indicative of bleeding and inflammation, a condition the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons calls chronic compartment syndrome. Shin pain can be treated and avoided with corrections in running mechanics and the use of proper protective footwear.

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