Leg injury. Help please! (runner)

XXXMinnieXXX
XXXMinnieXXX Posts: 3,459 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi, my names Zara. I've been jogging for a month. I absolutely love it! I weigh 240lbs but my physiotherapist said it was ok to run. (Unfortunately I can't see him again for another month!)

I'm doing run\walk as I'm not fit enough to just run. My endurance is building up and I'm spending longer spells running. However I've now got a leg injury that's put me out of action!

The side of my legs running from the top of my ankle to half way up my leg really hurts. It is on the side of my leg not on the back. Anyone know what this could be and what I should do? The help would be much appreciated!

Many thanks,

Zara x

Edited to add the pain is on the insides of my legs...

Replies

  • hbrittingham
    hbrittingham Posts: 2,518 Member
    Is it the inside or outside of your leg?
  • summertime_girl
    summertime_girl Posts: 3,945 Member
    IT band pain? Try a foam roller, that should help a lot. Proper shoes and posture will make a big difference too.
  • LanderRose81
    LanderRose81 Posts: 237 Member
    I am not sure what that injury might be - I just came off two separate knee injuries. But make sure you are wearing good running shoes - that will make a huge difference too.

    Hope you get better soon!
  • m60kaf
    m60kaf Posts: 421 Member
    Most people on these kinds of posts say - go to the doctor - I rarely agree because you can usually work it out yourself by being specific about the symptoms just as well as a doctor can.

    However, I'd go with the doctor on this one... If you can't pinpoint the point of pain it may be more of a systemic problem .

    For example pains 'down the leg' can often be sciatica (a nerve thing)
  • BurtHuttz
    BurtHuttz Posts: 3,653 Member
    Ankle to halfway up your leg (knee being halfway point) sounds like you're talking shin, and that sounds like shin splints. Is the pain in your shin?

    If so, it's a very common runner's affliction, hurts like a beast, and once you figure out how to fix it for your anatomy and gait, should be easily conquered.
  • DiannaMoorer
    DiannaMoorer Posts: 783 Member
    Look up IT band injuries. There are some really good exercises to strengthen that area. Make sure your shoes aren't worn out and DON'T run with a heel strike. Stretch AFTER each run and warm up before you run about 10 minutes. Don't stretch before you run. There are about 10 stretches you should do after each run and you should never skimp on them but do them every time to prevent injuries. Hope you feel better.
  • Lynn_SD
    Lynn_SD Posts: 83 Member
    If it's a burning pain on the outside of one leg, it might be sciatica (referred pain from lower back) from disc or muscle spasm in lower back.

    I would go see your family doctor (MD) for an exam and diagnosis. Might just be muscle strain if it is in both legs or inside of leg.

    For after you recover: It's better to do some type of low-impact exercise until you get weight down a bit. Swimming, pool aerobics, stationary bike (recumbent is great, has a cushy seat like a chair) might be the best type of exercise for now.
  • Usbornegal
    Usbornegal Posts: 601 Member
    Ice
    Foam Roller
    GOOD shoes with arch support. Yes it makes a difference.
    Treadmill for walking till pain abates.

    I had something like this that was like a muscle that was swelling beyond the casing. Ibuprofin, ice and foam roller really helped.
  • jamaljohar
    jamaljohar Posts: 55 Member
    when i first started excersizing i was very close to 350lbs, after running for a short while, i started to get pains in the front part of my leg between my ankle and about half way up towards my knee... does this sound like your problem? i never went to the doctor but im pretty sure its chin splints... its not a major problem and definately not a reason to stop running, after you lose some weight and you run for a while it goes away.
  • jamaljohar
    jamaljohar Posts: 55 Member
    SHIN SPLINTS NOT CHIN SPLINTS!
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I had pain just above my ankle on the outside, and it was a fibula stress fracture. Best to get it checked.
  • emdeegan
    emdeegan Posts: 219 Member
    also, make sure you are stretching.. i had a terrible time with tight tendons and my toes would go numb after about 30 minutes of running... the fix was stretching for twice the amount of time that i thought i needed. another thing... if you do have shin splints an exercise to help you heal is while you are sitting at a desk or watching tv, raise your foot off the ground and write the alphabet in the air with your toes.. this works your muscles, stretches your ankle, and adds flexibility. good luck, i hope you heal fast and get over these issues.
  • Ke22yB
    Ke22yB Posts: 969 Member
    My process and program seems similar I am now just under 220 and jog walk up to 5 miles 5 times a week and have some pain on the outside of my left leg from below the knee up toward the thigh which was diagnosd as ITB problem I increased my stretching after my jogs and have a roller I lay on my left side with the roller near my knee and roll up and down to work the muscle. I also have 2 massages a month that helps work the muscles and release toxins and lactic acid in muscles every time I have a massage she keeps pushing me to drink more WATER ( caps because she yells it at me) all of this helps me have less pain and recover faster
  • Lynn_SD
    Lynn_SD Posts: 83 Member
    Oh, yes, if it is between knee and foot ONLY, then more likely to be "shin splints" which affects the muscles/tendons BUT it could also be a stress fracture in the bone, especially if you have been jogging on pavement. See your doctor!
  • XXXMinnieXXX
    XXXMinnieXXX Posts: 3,459 Member
    Is it the inside or outside of your leg?

    One the inside x
  • XXXMinnieXXX
    XXXMinnieXXX Posts: 3,459 Member
    Hi. I just googled the band injury and that seems to be on the outside. I also thought shin splits were on the front of your legs. This is on the inside of my legs x
  • hbrittingham
    hbrittingham Posts: 2,518 Member
    Hi. I just googled the band injury and that seems to be on the outside. I also thought shin splits were on the front of your legs. This is on the inside of my legs x

    I have something similar going on. It's not my shins, it's on the inside between my ankle and upper calf. I've finally figured out that mine is actually being caused by my hips. If I stretch them really well, the pain in my calves goes away. That may not be the case for you, but I thought I'd throw it out there. Your physio can't get you in before next month?
  • 416runner
    416runner Posts: 159 Member
    Yeah it doesn't sound like IT to me (in my totally non-professional opinion!) if it's entirely below the knee and on the inside. If stretching doesn't help, it could be a stress fracture, as someone suggested upthread. That's definitely something you want to get checked out - you really need to rest stress fractures or they can get really bad.
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