Help! I've got a bad case of Shin Splints

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jessguz
jessguz Posts: 10 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi all,

I need help! So more than 1 month ago i started running a lot. Then i got some pretty bad shin splints. or atleast I think it's Shin Splints. It hurts on the inner side of my shin (not the front) and just in one spot. I could hardly walk down stairs. I could do NO jumping jacks, and at some point in time i could hardly walk. I went to the doctor and she said it was nothing just shin splints. I had some x-rays and nothing came back.

I bought some compression socks, stayed off of my leg for a while probably about 2 weeks. The pain was slightly there but not as bad as before. I have been doing cycling classes and it hurt slightly. On Tuesday though, I went running and ran about 30 minutes ~ 12 minutes/mile. During and after that run, my shin hurt pretty bad. I had to stop because of the pain. Yesterday my boyfriend slightly rubbed the location and it majorly hurt. I have a small bump feeling on the area.

Should I go back to see a doctor or is this really just a type of severe shin splint?

Thanks :smile:

Replies

  • trini14
    trini14 Posts: 110 Member
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    Hi, was the doctor you saw your primary? Maybe you should see an Orthopedic specialist. Preferably one that specializes in Sports Medicine. When it comes to medical advice MFP may not be the best place, though I'm sure there are many people here in the medical field (myself included). Hope you feel better soon.
  • iWaffle
    iWaffle Posts: 2,208 Member
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    I need help! So more than 1 month ago i started running a lot. Then i got some pretty bad shin splints. or atleast I think it's Shin Splints. It hurts on the inner side of my shin (not the front) and just in one spot. I could hardly walk down stairs. I could do NO jumping jacks, and at some point in time i could hardly walk. I went to the doctor and she said it was nothing just shin splints. I had some x-rays and nothing came back.

    My shins feel sore sometimes after a hard run but it's always equal on both sides and spread out across outside middle of the bone mostly. I've never had just one specific spot hurt. That would raise a red flag for me. If you had an x-ray and it shows nothing then you're probably cleared to exercise but you might want to take some preventative measures.

    Stretch your calf muscle often. I like to do this on steps. Ice your shins after you exercise for about 15 minutes. Draw the alphabet out in the air with your toes several times a day to stretch and strengthen the shin muscles. Rest when needed or if you can feel it during the exercise.

    Get a second opinion if you don't see any improvement with rest. If this is a new exercise you can expect some discomfort but it shouldn't be debilitating.
  • Lauramh31
    Lauramh31 Posts: 95 Member
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    If it's a small fracture or stress fracture it won't show up right away on an x-ray. You need an MRI. This is what the sports medicene doc told me when I had the same issue (turned out to be just shin splints for me). Have you been to a running store to make sure you're wearing the right shoes? Do you wear the compression socks while running (suppoed to help)? consider arch supports in your running shoes?

    After I was cleared after my MRI I just took ibuprofen before my runs and at other times when it hurt. That enabled me to keep running and complete my half marathon. But you shouldn't do that until you have an MRI to make sure it isn't a stress fracture that isn't showing up on the x-rays.
  • kganc001
    kganc001 Posts: 317
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    They're an overuse injury. You should back off the amount you're doing and work back up! Also, Before and after you run, you need to make sure you stretch your calves really well. I stand with my toes on a step and let my heel sink for a deep stretch. That's helped me avoid a LOT of my shin problems. Also, look in to good sturdy show inserts and apply ice and compression after running. :) Good luck!!! Also, let your shins heal before you run again or you risk fractures. If it continues and is really bad, see a doctor.
  • jessguz
    jessguz Posts: 10 Member
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    Thank you all. I am trying to find an orthopedist in Houston. I will hopefully know what is wrong with my shin.
  • Excuse_less
    Excuse_less Posts: 874 Member
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    Shin splints are cause by an issue with the foot. Mostly from over pronation in the foot. Go to a good running store and get fitted for proper shoes. You'll need to give it a few weeks of rest to heal before starting to run again. Skip the ortho doc and the mri. There's nothing they can do for a stress fracture anyways except tell you to rest and give you anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen. The problem most likely is in your feet.
  • gooose7
    gooose7 Posts: 7 Member
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    It was a month ago now. I was 2 week away from my first ever marathon and did one last 20 miler training session which I had trained hard for. The front of my ankles started to burn and this spread up to the front muscles of my shin. Within 4 day I could hardly walk . It was like being hit with a baseball bat across the shins The bone felt bumpy, and the muscle grinded on flexion and extension, both ankles were swollen.

    I strap ice gel bags to them every night , rubbed in some anti inflammatory gel, and for five whole minutes per day, I pull my toes up as hard as i can. It hurts like crazy at the time but somehow i know its helping.(saw that one on internet somewhere)

    One month on...... I'm back doing some light gym sessions, 3km runs with my daughter, and my right shin is almost better. The left is still bad.
    I sympathise with anyone who has this, its so frustrating.


    Best wishes
  • squatsandlipgloss
    squatsandlipgloss Posts: 595 Member
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    You should take it easy and not start exercising that much again only after 2 weeks. My boyfriend got shin splints because he STARTED off running 10km at a time. He rested for a month and now runs 3km at a time, not more.

    Take it easy! I know it is frustrating but you have to accept the fact that you just can't pick up where you left off.
  • KB2Fitness
    KB2Fitness Posts: 7 Member
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    Long warmups, great shoes, great insoles, long cool-downs, and stretching of all the muscles in the lower leg. This will fix almost anyone's issues with shin splints. Hope it helps! :smile:
  • GrabacrPD
    GrabacrPD Posts: 94 Member
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    I had to get the rolling pin to my shins, break down all the scar tissue that had built up on my shins, break it down the massage the tissue around the back of my calves to get taken back into the body

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