shin splints

[tbuz67]

Has anyone ever had to deal with shin splints? i've heard that these may turn into stress fractures, which could put someone out for weeks. Please share experiences, remedies, symptoms, routine modifications, etc. I think I'm experiencing shin splints and I'm curious as to how many others are out there that experience this. I run/walk 2 miles eight times a week (to & from work). I've been at it since mid March.

 

[Synpax]

Hi there,

Welcome to the cardio board.

Where are you feeling the pain?

One possible solution is that you need better running shoes. Most name brands you buy at general sports stores are made for neutral runners - plenty of cushioning but relatively little support. However, most runners are not neutral. So maybe try going to a running specialty store where they can give you what is called a 'stride' or 'gate' analysis. Basically, you run on a treadmill and they have a camera at ground level behind you. They look at the closed circuit TV in front of you and make a determination.

 

[PoyeBoy]

I have them as well, Ice works afterwards,

you have them due to your shins not being use to and haivng to adapt to taking the impact of running, try running on a softer surface instead of pounding the pavement or treadmill, possibly after a while they may go away, mine usually do after i get a good base going

http://www.spinalhealth.net/inj-shin.html

 

[NixieRocka]

HEY TBUZ,
i persoanllly have expiereinced bad shin splintz wich did inturn turn into slight fractures. I played baseball in high school, this is where i got them from. I use to run and ignore the pains until they got too much for me. I went to se the doctor wich then had me go through lazer treatment to loosen the sac behind the calf muscle because they were so swolen. I also had several mri on my legs. Today they are back to normal, but they get tired very easily and if i run though the tiredness i get very hot burning sensations on my shins. Go get your shin splintz taken care of before its too late.

See ya
< mike

 

[Synpax]

My experience mirrors Poyeboy.

 

[tbuz67]

I'm going to take it easy for a week to see if the pain subsides. Its not too bad yet, but its been getting worse every time i run, even after a few days off. Actually, it got pretty bad, then went away once before when i started on treadmill in Jan. I know people don't especially care for cardio when they lift, but I'm trying to lose weight so I can bulk up, hopefully in Aug or Sept. Since Jan, I've been averaging 1.6 lb loss a week and I really don't wish to stop running. But what I've read so far sounds like i'd better. That thing with the bag cut out of your calf? yikes. I better get better shoes, too.

 

[NixieRocka]

ya tbuz i know how you feel, i didnt want to stop playing my favorite sport, and i ddint, and i paid for it the next season by not being able to play. Shin Splintz are a very long injury. I remember the days of playing basketball at the park with my boys and feeling some pain, and on the way home i started realizing how bad the pain is and by the time i got home, my shins were completely on fire and on pain. If i were you i would get it checked out before its too late, hey ya never know it could be something else. also, he can show you how to ice/heat when they hurt, for faster recovery.

See ya
mike

 

[juve]

stress fractures.

Oh my, this is my nightmare. I've had this happen a few times - the extent of pain makes it infeasible to even walk.
I am a frequent visitor at the sports rehab clinic - the stuff that really helps are the massages of the muscles and ultrasound. Anti-inflammation drugs - I'd stay away from those mainly because masking pain makes you more susceptible to inducing more damage (you don't feel it, so you think it's all straight).
Prednison shots - for obvious reason these are not an optimal option..
Generally, stretching, massages are a great option when trying to warrant shin splints; also having strong calves helps, since it aalleviates the pressure from the shins..
Good advice above on softer surfaces, and also the thing that goes in your shoe (I forget name)..

 

[NixieRocka]

nice info juve i had to go through the same proccess. You know what feels great? When you lay and they ice your legs and massage it out, then they take the lazer for cell regrowth and message it in some more, but when ya get home it just hurts all over again lol. Im glad and upset to see that i wasnt the only one with this problem, but i feel bad someone had to suffer with me lol. Glad to see your all healed!
mike

 

[tbuz67]

The pain I was experiencing is behind the leg, below the calf. The calf muscle itself is OK, it doesn't even get sore. The weird thing is, when I would start running, despite the pain, it would go away after a hundred yards or two. The pain would go away and I could run and run. But after I stop and walk, I would feel the dull pain. It would hurt just when I stepped. Sitting down or just not moving my leg, and I feel nothing. I'm optimistic, though, because today, the pain is all but gone. The last time I ran was on Tuesday.
Time to buy some decent shoes!

 

[Synpax]

Wow. Ok - that's the third place that I've heard of shin splints happening. Are you sure they are even shin splints?

I have had them in the front of my shins and on the interior of my ankle.

 

[tbuz67]

I hope that it is just a shin splint. I've been reading alot about shin splints on the net and there seems to be differing opinions on it. Some say it happens in the front of the leg, others say in the back. Some web pages say that they are serious, others say that they are no big deal. One web page stated that I can keep doing a reduced level workout, which will build up the calf muscles to the point that the shin splint will go away.
Personally, my plan of action is going to be first to give my leg plenty of rest. I'll get my cardio with biking, stair-stepper, and my mom's Gazelle. I've tried all of these in the last few days and none of these seem to cause any problems. Maybe I'll give it up to 2 weeks.
Secondly, I'll throw down some major green on a decent pair of running shoes from a good shoe store that has experience in this area.
Third, I'm going to incorporate into my routine some thorough stretching and warm-up exercises before and after each run. I'll also pay better attention to my running form.
Last, I'm going to ease myself back into my routine, instead of going all out just to push myself as hard as I can. I figured, thats the way I lift weights, I'll take the same approach to road work. Time to re-think that stragedy.

If anyone thinks, or knows, that I'm missing something, or doing something wrong here, please post!!!!!!!!!1

At this point, it feels better with each passing day.

 

[Synpax]

For me, the best way to get rid of shin splints is to run more often, every day.

This has been true going all the way back to high school. If I took two days off, I know that on the third day I would have shin splints. If I ran every day or maybe took one day off, I'd be fine.

Even now - I know that if I take a break I will have to deal with one or two workouts of shin splints to break them back in again.

 

[BSBootz]

So far i've rid myself of them by running really slow at first. basically getting your legs up to speed. I started out by running 20-25 min @ 5.0 mph. Basically I had no stride, but no splints either. From there, every 10 days or so, i've up my speed by .2 or .3. Right now, i'm at 6.5 mph for 25 minutes and doing fine. Also, running on a track at the local HS gave me the worst shin splints ever. I'm not sure why either.

 

[juve]

one more thing to add would be adequate rest and electrolytes. Improper electrlytes balance or lack of rest and relaxation of muscle makes it stiff/retain lactic acid+rampant cortisol levels/inflammation=injury prone. The worst injuries I received were when my rest was not on par with the rest of my routine

 

[Samson42]

I work with athletes everyday in sports medicine. Shoe support is terrible these days. Shin splints in the back of the leg are more common than you might think. One of the first things we look at is to see if your shoes have a good arch support. Most have virtually none. Most of the time, a good arch support will solve the problem. It needs to a support that is rigid. You may be able to find some at a running shop. Most drug stores and Walmart, etc. do not carry them. I have had about ten athletes this year complaining of shin splints and this has helped in every case.

 

[Synpax]

PRofessional running store that does gait analysis might be able to help as well.

 

[juve]

One of the first things we look at is to see if your shoes have a good arch support. .

I have one specifically sculpted for my feet - excellent stuff! Makes a huge difference, even when simply walking - but for running it's a must!

 

[Daisy_Girl]

Shin Splints are also caused by a stronger gastrocnemieus (calf) and a weaker Anterior Tibialis ("shin muscle"). You can relieve long term shin splints by strengthening your Ant Tib.

Your pain sounds like it is in the Achilles Tendon area.... ever had an injury there? Don't want to screw with busting an Achilles...you'll be out of commission for awhile.

 

[tbuz67]

No more shin splints! I guess I just needed some days off, then starting back with light running. My legs don't hurt anymore. I"m also limiting the amount of running i'm doing. I'll get back to my routine in time, but for now i'll take things light. I don't want to have to take more time foo.

 

[PoyeBoy]

No more shin splints! I guess I just needed some days off, then starting back with light running. My legs don't hurt anymore. I"m also limiting the amount of running i'm doing. I'll get back to my routine in time, but for now i'll take things light. I don't want to have to take more time foo.

fucking right, I took 2.5 weeks off, now Im back and the splints and fallen arches are completely gone, Im fucking loving it

 

[Clean]

viox will get rid of the inflamation