Shin splints. Please help!

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Replies

  • mommyrunning
    mommyrunning Posts: 495 Member
    To be honest I dont think there is many more shoes I can try and I think the shop is getting fed up with me keep going back. They do an exchange no problem but as I said they wont do a refund. I dont really want to buy another pair of shoes as I have spent good money on these shoes. She said to me if I was still getting ankle pain in the Brooks then I may have to go and see a physio and they might have to make insoles for me and then change my shoes for a neutral shoe. Thats not a route that I want to go down as that will be very expensive and I have already spent good money on my shoes. I have not needed insoles in the 5 years that I have been running so why would I need them now.

    All I know is that I wasnt getting shin splints in the Nike so why am I getting them in the Brooks. I will rest my shins and I wont attempt to go for a run until they feel better and I think I will have a try at running in my old trainers to see if I still get the shin pain. I did think the Nike were the right shoe for me as I wasnt getting shin splints. I did have ankle pain but I had a sports massage which eased the pain and I wasnt getting much pain when only doing 3 miles but then I did race for life 2 weeks ago which was 6 miles and after about 4 miles I felt the pain on my ankle and I noticed the next day it was painful and I thought to myself oh no, this is not good!!

    To be honest I dont see how having a gait analysis will make much difference. I have had a gait analysis and I have been to two different running shops and they both said that I over pronate so I know what sort of runner I am.

    Please don't take this as rude but you came here asking for advice yet you keep dismissing people's advice. If you aren't willing to consider anything other than going back to your old shoes you probably won't get an answer as to what the issue is.

    -you said you don't want to see a physio and don't want to do that because then you might have to buy insoles and new shoes
    If that is what works wouldn't it be worth it to not be in pain? You may not need insoles or maybe you do but not being seen because you are afraid you won't like their answer isn't going to help you

    -you said you weren't getting shin splints before but are now and don't know why
    something changed or needs to be corrected (shoes, running mechanics, etc)

    -you said had ankle pain before
    something was probably incorrect with your shoes or your running

    -you have had a gait analysis done twice at running shops
    maybe they knew what they were doing maybe they didn't, their primary job is to sell you products
    It isn't going to hurt to have a professional do one. Maybe they will confirm what they others said or maybe they can shed some light on your issues

    If you want this issue to get better it would probably help you to go to a professional (doctor/physical therapist) who can examine all the possible factors
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    I did have ankle pain but I had a sports massage which eased the pain and I wasnt getting much pain when only doing 3 miles but then I did race for life 2 weeks ago which was 6 miles and after about 4 miles I felt the pain on my ankle and I noticed the next day it was painful and I thought to myself oh no, this is not good!!

    So if I read this correctly you've gone from running 5Km continuous sessions to a 10Km session, and then had an injury? How much training did you do to move from 5km to 10km?

    It sounds like you've managed to compound the ankle injury, which may be leading to the greater incidence of shin splints. It would be very surprising if these are isolated and unrelated problems.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    -you have had a gait analysis done twice at running shops
    maybe they knew what they were doing maybe they didn't, their primary job is to sell you products
    It isn't going to hurt to have a professional do one. Maybe they will confirm what they others said or maybe they can shed some light on your issues

    fwiw she's already identified that she got this done at Sweatshop. They know what they're doing, and they have a decent range of shoes so they're not going to try to sell the wrong brand/ model.

    Most Sweatshop branches have a pretty active associated running club
  • wilsoje74
    wilsoje74 Posts: 1,720 Member
    To be honest I dont think there is many more shoes I can try and I think the shop is getting fed up with me keep going back. They do an exchange no problem but as I said they wont do a refund. I dont really want to buy another pair of shoes as I have spent good money on these shoes. She said to me if I was still getting ankle pain in the Brooks then I may have to go and see a physio and they might have to make insoles for me and then change my shoes for a neutral shoe. Thats not a route that I want to go down as that will be very expensive and I have already spent good money on my shoes. I have not needed insoles in the 5 years that I have been running so why would I need them now.

    All I know is that I wasnt getting shin splints in the Nike so why am I getting them in the Brooks. I will rest my shins and I wont attempt to go for a run until they feel better and I think I will have a try at running in my old trainers to see if I still get the shin pain. I did think the Nike were the right shoe for me as I wasnt getting shin splints. I did have ankle pain but I had a sports massage which eased the pain and I wasnt getting much pain when only doing 3 miles but then I did race for life 2 weeks ago which was 6 miles and after about 4 miles I felt the pain on my ankle and I noticed the next day it was painful and I thought to myself oh no, this is not good!!

    To be honest I dont see how having a gait analysis will make much difference. I have had a gait analysis and I have been to two different running shops and they both said that I over pronate so I know what sort of runner I am.
    There are times as a runner that you will have injuries and/ or pain regardless of shoes. I've had foot pain, ankle pain, shin splits etc. Sometimes it's the shoe, sometimes not. If you are getting shin splints and have been running a while and just switched shoes, it's probably the shoes. You can either work through them by slowing down, icing, taking rest days, going down in distance until they heal, or you can go back to the shoes that didn't give you shin splints. I don't think you should keep exchanging shoes until you are completely pain free. It sometimes takes time to get used to a new brand or model.
  • wilsoje74
    wilsoje74 Posts: 1,720 Member
    To be honest I dont think there is many more shoes I can try and I think the shop is getting fed up with me keep going back. They do an exchange no problem but as I said they wont do a refund. I dont really want to buy another pair of shoes as I have spent good money on these shoes. She said to me if I was still getting ankle pain in the Brooks then I may have to go and see a physio and they might have to make insoles for me and then change my shoes for a neutral shoe. Thats not a route that I want to go down as that will be very expensive and I have already spent good money on my shoes. I have not needed insoles in the 5 years that I have been running so why would I need them now.

    All I know is that I wasnt getting shin splints in the Nike so why am I getting them in the Brooks. I will rest my shins and I wont attempt to go for a run until they feel better and I think I will have a try at running in my old trainers to see if I still get the shin pain. I did think the Nike were the right shoe for me as I wasnt getting shin splints. I did have ankle pain but I had a sports massage which eased the pain and I wasnt getting much pain when only doing 3 miles but then I did race for life 2 weeks ago which was 6 miles and after about 4 miles I felt the pain on my ankle and I noticed the next day it was painful and I thought to myself oh no, this is not good!!

    To be honest I dont see how having a gait analysis will make much difference. I have had a gait analysis and I have been to two different running shops and they both said that I over pronate so I know what sort of runner I am.
    just saw where you did a 6 mile run then started to have the pain in your ankle. Had you trained up to 6 miles or just did it without working up to it? If so the ankle pain is probably not from the shoes, but from increasing your distance and your body wasn't ready.
  • taraneedham73
    taraneedham73 Posts: 28 Member
    RunningCampbell,

    I am not rude and I am most certainly not dismissing peoples advice!! I never said that I wont see a physio but my point is say if I do have insoles made whos to say that they will cure the ankle pain! I could pay £200 for the insoles but that doesnt mean to say the pain is going to go away and I may not get on with the insoles, you have to be realistic! You seem to keep asking questions when I have already answered it!

    Sweatshop are a good store and they know what they are dealing with and I dont think they wish to sell me the wrong shoes!! I have had quite a few people tell me that I over pronate and I know my foot rolls in but yet you dont believe me. Well I dont know what the answer is then. No of course I didnt go from 5k to 10k just like that. You have to work up the distance, you cant just go from 5 to 10k. I did the half marathon 6 weeks ago and when I was training for it I got a new pair of trainers and thats when I started to get the ankle pain but I didnt seem to get shin splints.
  • hharp626
    hharp626 Posts: 8 Member
    The only things that have helped my shin splints are stretching and using a foam roller on my calves. I bought a Trigger Point foam roller a few weeks ago and it has helped a lot.
  • taraneedham73
    taraneedham73 Posts: 28 Member
    I am thinking about getting a roller, I seem to have a bit of pain in my left calf. Thats good to hear that it helped your shins. Where did you get your roller from?
  • hharp626
    hharp626 Posts: 8 Member
    I bought mine on amazon.com.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    No of course I didnt go from 5k to 10k just like that. You have to work up the distance, you cant just go from 5 to 10k. I did the half marathon 6 weeks ago and when I was training for it I got a new pair of trainers and thats when I started to get the ankle pain but I didnt seem to get shin splints.

    I've just reviewed your previous thread on this subject from April. Taking the two threads together it looks to me like you've injured yourself and then continued to train on it. It strikes me that it's been coincident with getting new shoes, or may be a result of having been running in old shoes prior to starting the process of getting new shoes.

    That said I'm surprised that the shop staff haven't explored injury with you given how many times you've had to return and replace.
  • wilsoje74
    wilsoje74 Posts: 1,720 Member
    I think a trip to the doctor makes sense as well as it seems you have a lingering injury
  • mommyrunning
    mommyrunning Posts: 495 Member
    RunningCampbell,

    I am not rude and I am most certainly not dismissing peoples advice!! I never said that I wont see a physio but my point is say if I do have insoles made whos to say that they will cure the ankle pain! I could pay £200 for the insoles but that doesnt mean to say the pain is going to go away and I may not get on with the insoles, you have to be realistic! You seem to keep asking questions when I have already answered it!

    Sweatshop are a good store and they know what they are dealing with and I dont think they wish to sell me the wrong shoes!! I have had quite a few people tell me that I over pronate and I know my foot rolls in but yet you dont believe me. Well I dont know what the answer is then. No of course I didnt go from 5k to 10k just like that. You have to work up the distance, you cant just go from 5 to 10k. I did the half marathon 6 weeks ago and when I was training for it I got a new pair of trainers and thats when I started to get the ankle pain but I didnt seem to get shin splints.

    I am sorry if my post was confusing. I meant I hope you don't think I am rude. I wasn't implying you were rude. Sorry for the confusion. I also didn't mean to imply that I don't believe that you overpronate. I was simply trying to suggest that with all these issues maybe a professional is the best person to see to get a more definite answer and that yes it may cost a bit more but if it solves the problem then it would be worth it. A doctor or physical therapist in my opinion can look at the whole picture.
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,961 Member
    Before and after running, sit down and air-write your name and the alphabet with each foot. It is a good way of loosening up the shin muscles. But once you have shin splints, they seem to take a while to get rid of, so even if it seems like you're fine, I'd still recommend doing this kind of stretch. I asked a physical education teacher how to help shin splints and this is what he recommended. You can keep doing your other leg stretches too.
  • shawna48
    shawna48 Posts: 15 Member
    Shin splints for me, and I get them easily, happen for a couple different reasons. 1) I ran with shoes other than my designated running shoes. I should tote both my lifting and running shoes with me every time to the gym but sometimes i feel it's a hassle and do my warm up HIIT running in my lifting shoes...then pay for it later. 2) I run when my calves are sore - I notice this leads to shin splints at a record pace. Therefore, I do some other cardio after leg day calf exercises or excessive jumping exercises. 3) on occasion, running on uneven surfaces, like a trail run will cause calf soreness and then immediately following shin splints.

    Since you're running in new shoes, it is possible that they are the cause. If not, figure out what your triggers are and approach your running plan cautiously.
  • sprtsmedx
    sprtsmedx Posts: 1 Member
    Hello everyone, I'm new to the MFP community and after reading through this discussion I would like to offer my suggestions. I am a Certified Athletic Trainer (not the gym guy, we are highly trained in the prevention and treatment of injuries) I have an extensive background in biomechanics, functional anatomy and physical therapy and ergonomics. This situation is very similar to many situation I encounter in my consulting practice. Everyone wants to fix their aches and pains with the latest product on the market. The dog chasing it's tail syndrome. Shin splints are due to excessive/overuse of the 3 skinny long muscles of the posterior calf, Flexor Digitorum, Flexor Hallucis Longus and Tibialus Posterior. These three muscle are being over used. Most of us agree on this. The problem isn't with the shoes or the surface, although these all contribute, the problem is in your GAIT and the fact that you have mentioned you are an "OVER PRONATOR" suggests a biomechanical problem with your gait which no shoe or surface will fix. The problem lies in what we call "ENERGY LEAKS" or faulty mechanics of the ankle, knee and hip not to mention the entire kinetic chain. You need to address the "OVER PRONATION" from a STRENGTH perspective. The best way to explain this is stand infront of a mirror with a pair of shorts on so you can see your knees. Standing comfortably notice that your feet may point outward, your arches may be flattened and then look at your knee cap (patella), it is probably pointing inward or not in alignment with your feet. Now tighten your gluteal muscles or imagine turning your knees outward without moving your feet. You will notice the arch of your foot lifts and the "OVER PRONATION" seems to be fixed. The problem isn't in your feet, the shin splints and fallen arches etc are only the signs and symptoms of faulty mechanics that NEEDS to be addressed. The strong postural muscles, Psoas and Illiacus... your HIP FLEXORS, are external rotators of the femur as well as your gluteal muscles, and in combination they provide the real stability of the entire leg, and help minimize overuse of the smaller muscles below. Warm up, stretch, get new shoes... all that is great, however your pelvic postural muscles are weak and providing an "ENERGY LEAK" thoughout your gait mechanics. You need to STRENGTHEN not stretch muscles. STRONG muscules provide the support and maintain the proper gait pattern to minimize this breakdown and overuse of weaker smaller muscles. Someone suggested seeing a physical therapist or exercise physiologist and I agree. However if the regiment is designed behind stretching tight muscles not strengthening the weak ones find another person. Hope this has been somewhat insightful and helpful, again it's my professional recommendation based on emperical research and experience of working with 1000 of clients, it's up to you if you want to continue looking for the "PRODUCT" to fix your problem or go after the true cause.
    Thanks everyone!
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    So to summarise...

    Deal with the underlying problem
    Do some resistance training to deal with muscular imbalance
    Stretch

    No need for the correct shoes apparently... I might just recommend sticking with conventional wisdom on that one given that it's worked for a great many people.