Can someone confirm I have shin splints?

K_Train450

Two weeks ago I started exercising to get back into shape. I'm a 6'1 320lb male at 19years and just recently I've been having what seems to be shin splints from doing too much too soon (sprinting up hills, etc).

The problem I'm having is when I start walking, 15 minutes or so into the walk my ankles, shins, and calves all start fatiguing to the point where I can't walk. It continues to fatigue and cramp up till I stop - then I get a dull ache the entire day in my lower legs with some shin discomfort.

I understand what shin splints are, but is the extreme fatigue early in a walk a symptom of the shin splints? Everything was going fine for the first couple weeks - I did sprints and walked miles just fine. It's to the point where I can even do walks anymore because of the fact everything just tires out and I get pain when I rest from the exercise.

Can someone clear this up for me? Thanks.

Timshel_

Go see an ortho to be sure, but there are tons of sites to help diagnosis this too.

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00407

It sounds like you do have shine splints, but more importantly you need to find the cause. Is it working out too much? Not enough active warm up? Wrong shoes? Wrong form? That will be key to recovery.

K_Train450

I'm assuming it's because I started a exercise program with too much impact too soon like sprinting . I'm a big guy and I usually get shin splints when I first start out. The main concern is the fatigue when walking in my lower legs, it was never like before I got the discomfort in my shins.

zummerzet_lou

Hi,

You need to go and see someone face-to-face to get a diagnosis as it's impossible for a wee description to give you a diagnosis.

RICE are your friends ... and then if you haven't already, get to a specialist shoe place and get fitted from some running shoes.

When you resume, start gradually - walk / run is the best way to ease not just your cardio system into running, but also helps your muscles adapt and grow to support your running.

all the best.

MeanderingMammal

I'm assuming it's because I started a exercise program with too much impact too soon like sprinting .

Too much, too soon is a common cause. Give it time to recover then work on a more reasonable running routine for your circumstances.

I would suggest, once you've recovered, working on increasing your medium intensity, steady state running so that you move towards 30 minutes to 45 minutes of steady pace 4 times per week. Complement that with some resistance training to help retain lean mass and reduce your injury risk.

Ace1313

Like others said it would be good to see a professional.

Other than that when I was younger in track I got them starting every season. Just make sure to do some stretching after every workout and every night.