Runners: Stress fracture vs. Shin splints

GeneveSparkles
GeneveSparkles Posts: 283 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hey all,

I've been having pain in my inner lower legs (both legs), almost feels like a bruise, haven't noticed any swelling. It does vary from dull in one leg to sometimes sharp in the other. I've had it since about January when I started increasing my running/working out etc.

I've had shin splints in the past and this feels different. In the past the shin splints went away by doing calf raise, I do calf raises weekly and the pain still hasn't gone away. The pain is localized and when I put pressure on it with my hands it hurts more, it's not excruciating pain, maybe like a 4 on a 1-10 scale. The weird part is when I run it doesn't hurt, the pain actually goes away, but resumes when I stop. I also supinate when I run. I wear Asics gel-nimbus shoes and they only have about 85 miles on them.

Could this possibly be the onset of a stress fracture? Any help suggestions would be great. I'm thinking about going to a doc but I'll be taking about a week break from running when I go on vacay next week and I'll see if that helps. Does anyone have thoughts about what this could be? Also what is the proper way to implement RICE (how many times per day/how long for each step)?

Replies

  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    Bumping so I can follow....
  • mlb929
    mlb929 Posts: 1,974 Member
    My ARNP suggest it as this.... take 3 full days off of nothing, no weight bearing anything, 3 full days of pure rest - IF after 3 days, you are still in pain, go to a Dr for X-rays and evaluation.

    I would also start to work on exercises - like sitting in a chair and doing the alphabet with your foot. There are others, look on youtube. Also foam roll your shin, calf, medial and lateral lower leg.
  • GeneveSparkles
    GeneveSparkles Posts: 283 Member
    My ARNP suggest it as this.... take 3 full days off of nothing, no weight bearing anything, 3 full days of pure rest - IF after 3 days, you are still in pain, go to a Dr for X-rays and evaluation.

    I would also start to work on exercises - like sitting in a chair and doing the alphabet with your foot. There are others, look on youtube. Also foam roll your shin, calf, medial and lateral lower leg.

    Thanks!
    I just did the alphabet excercise :) I know I should probably start the rest today but I'm gonna finish my week off and start the rest next week. I just started to get serious about running and I would HATE to be out of the game for a while :(
  • yesthistime
    yesthistime Posts: 2,051 Member
    Runners support groups:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/47-happy-feet-runners-unite
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/94-long-distance-runners
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/4266-runners-r-us

    Hope you get to feeling better soon!
  • GeneveSparkles
    GeneveSparkles Posts: 283 Member
    Runners support groups:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/47-happy-feet-runners-unite
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/94-long-distance-runners
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/4266-runners-r-us

    Hope you get to feeling better soon!

    Perfection!! Just joined all 3! Thanks :)
  • LolaVersion2
    LolaVersion2 Posts: 114 Member
    This definitely sounds like a stress fracture. I had one, so I know what it feels like. The localized/bruise is a key sign. Does the local pain come back even after taking a few days off of exercise?

    I was training for a marathon and did too much too soon. I had to wear a soft cast once I was diagnosed and attend PT. I had to take 2 months off in order for it to heal fully. This was 2 years ago and I still get terrible shin splints. So people are more prone to shin injuries than others and it sounds like you may (along with me) be one of those people.

    When you go to get it diagnosed, you need to see a special sports doctor because the fracture is going to be so small that your regular doctor's x-rays will not pick it up.
  • sailinjen
    sailinjen Posts: 103 Member
    dont over do it or you will be out of commision for awhile. Give it time. I know it sucks, I had a hip injury and I was out for about 2 months...took some time to get back but Im back and doing great!!! I hate injuries!!!!
  • xjackie83
    xjackie83 Posts: 23 Member
    I have stress fracture in my foot and would definitely recommend just taking it easy and of course get a good pair of shoes.
  • AshRyd
    AshRyd Posts: 126 Member
    after taking my daughter to the orthopaedic doc a year ago - we discovered it wasn't really shin splints but stress fractures caused by Anterior Compartment Symdrom. Best to just take a rest and them after vacay get it checked out. Her's got so bad that she got stress fractures from her own muscles pressing on the bone. She needed surgery to fix, but we were told most can be fixed or improved upon by additional exercise. It might be worth checking out. I strongly recommend a trip to the doctor or if you are active at a gym and they have a trainer have them look and refer you to the correct place.
  • IveLanded
    IveLanded Posts: 797 Member
    Just to give you some hope......

    I had the EXACT same thing but got xrayed and did NOT have stress fractures. Thank goodness. BUT....I still took 2 weeks off running to completely heal and start over. No matter what it is, I think you are looking at some down time.
  • GeneveSparkles
    GeneveSparkles Posts: 283 Member
    This definitely sounds like a stress fracture. I had one, so I know what it feels like. The localized/bruise is a key sign. Does the local pain come back even after taking a few days off of exercise?

    I was training for a marathon and did too much too soon. I had to wear a soft cast once I was diagnosed and attend PT. I had to take 2 months off in order for it to heal fully. This was 2 years ago and I still get terrible shin splints. So people are more prone to shin injuries than others and it sounds like you may (along with me) be one of those people.

    When you go to get it diagnosed, you need to see a special sports doctor because the fracture is going to be so small that your regular doctor's x-rays will not pick it up.

    Oy this scares me! The most time I've taken off in a row is about 2 days and the pain was still there. I run 2-3 days a week and do zumba 2 days, and even during zumba when there are agility type moves involved it can be painful. I found a doc in my health care system that specializes in sports medicine and orthopedic surgery so I will probably make an appt to see him :(
  • LolaVersion2
    LolaVersion2 Posts: 114 Member
    The most time you've taken off is 2 days in a row? Yep. It sounds like the classic "too much, too soon." I'm sorry to hear this, but I'm happy to hear you found a sports doctor to look at the issue. Message me if you have any other questions. Good luck!
  • GeneveSparkles
    GeneveSparkles Posts: 283 Member
    The most time you've taken off is 2 days in a row? Yep. It sounds like the classic "too much, too soon." I'm sorry to hear this, but I'm happy to hear you found a sports doctor to look at the issue. Message me if you have any other questions. Good luck!

    You're probably right.
    DAMN you motivation!!!! LOL
    I work out 5 days and do cardio (run or zumba) all five days. My rest days are Sat and either Mon. or Wed.
    I've read that usually a bone scan or MRI has to be done to determine a stress fracture, I have decent insurance but even with that medical expenses can be so much ...

    Thanks for your help!
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    The most time you've taken off is 2 days in a row? Yep. It sounds like the classic "too much, too soon." I'm sorry to hear this, but I'm happy to hear you found a sports doctor to look at the issue. Message me if you have any other questions. Good luck!

    How many days should you take off? Or do you mean when you're injured? I was doing 3 days on, 1 day off for a while, though wasn't running at the time. Now, I do 2 days on, 1 day off, but don't run two days in a row. So, my 2 days on, only 1 involves running and the other is walking. I work out 4 to 5 days a week this way.

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