So, about two months ago I was having some shin issues... nothing quite awful but enough that it put a damper on my training. I took about two weeks off from running and started up running a few slow miles for the next few weeks and seemed okay.
Fast forward to this past week. I went from having the very mild yet nagging feeling in my shin that made me think I might be experiencing a slight issue again. Fast forward to a couple days ago... INTENSE knife-like pain that comes and goes and is present at movement and at rest. My compression sleeve is no help with this. I've noticed I can bring it out by sitting with my leg crossed with my calf against my knee. It was primarily in one shin and now it happens in the other but with less intensity (leg crossing does not bring out pain). I know the likelihood of bilateral fractures is slim and the fact that the pain isn't constant makes me believe it's not a fracture. Also, it doesn't feel like it's the bone itself but rather directly underneath or even medial. Obviously, a trip to the doc would confirm but in all honesty... I would rather not go. I've been down that road before and it's the same regardless of diagnosis = REST.
So, advice? Hair pats? I hate resting. HATE.
For those who have constantly battled shin issues:
-Ice: How long/often should I ice? I've been averaging 2x daily for 10-15 minutes, for the past two days. -Meds: Should I be taking an NSAID?... I usually avoid medications. -Massage: Should foam rolling be this painful? OUCH. Should I hold off until pain is gone? -Compression: Would compression at points throughout the day help, rather than just trying compression for activity? -Shoes: I received some wise advice on here before about shoe fitting. I've always been fitted for a neutral shoe so I've stuck with the Mizuno Wave Rider for quite awhile. However, I know some people have "bumped" up to a shoe with more support to help with issues like this. Is this common? I get nervous switching shoes for some reason.
Honestly I'm really hesitant to give you any advice without knowing the dx, and hearing those symptoms. If you have tight muscles, foam rolling is great, but if you have tendonitis, inflammation, or a stress fx, it won't help and it might hurt. Icing is probably universally good at best, neutral at worst. My PT friend tells me submerging the affected part in a bucket of ice water is the most effective way to ice. Compression might or might not do anything at all depending on what the injury is.
I wouldn't change shoes, because if you're having this kind of pain you should not run in any shoes until it resolves. It'd also be a stab in the dark at what to change TO based on what you've said. I don't like those odds.
"I don't want to go to a doctor because they will only tell me to rest" isn't really a solution-oriented approach. How do you know what to fix if you don't know what's actually wrong? I think it's time to see a doctor, have an x-ray, and if that doesn't show anything, have an MRI done. Then once you know what's actually injured, you can work on solving the problem.
"I don't want to go to a doctor because they will only tell me to rest" isn't really a solution-oriented approach. How do you know what to fix if you don't know what's actually wrong? I think it's time to see a doctor, have an x-ray, and if that doesn't show anything, have an MRI done. Then once you know what's actually injured, you can work on solving the problem.
I know I set myself up for this part. In all honesty, our insurance changed and it now costs an arm and a leg for just about anything diagnostic. I know it's not a good reason but at this point in time paying several hundred dollars in tests is not feasible.
I realize that this is probably a pointless post as advice is hard without a diagnosis. Maybe I was just looking to vent a bit
you're right that pretty much any doctor will tell you to rest because you need to rest. pain at rest is NO BUENO (niether is knifey pain with activity, but pain at rest is a big sign that something is not right).
can you do something that is not running until you have ZERO PAIN? then resume slowly and stop anytime you have something resembling pain.
not sure what the apprehension is re: doctor. is it a cost/insurance issue? do you need a rec in your area for someone (if you post a location I'm sure someone can give you a rec)?
Post by keweenawlove on Aug 28, 2014 8:57:14 GMT -5
I agree with rest and working with a doctor. I had shin splint issues that turned into a stress fracture 3 weeks before a marathon. If you do have a stress fracture, you definitely need to be off running for a few weeks.
For shoes, have you ever looked at a zero drop shoes? I really like the theory behind them and they're supposed to help with shin splint issues. I just got a pair of Altra Torin's this week that I'm working on transitioning to. We'll see how they work.
I'm not a doctor, so take my thoughts for what they are worth, but I have had a few SFXs. A few things:
You need to be real with yourself if YOU think it's a SFX or not, if you are leaning that it prob is- you need to go to the doc asap. Rest isn't always the FULL RX. Sometimes it's full rest for a while and a boot, others, it's rest for 2 weeks and then walking, walk/running etc.
Things to think about: 1- The "hop test"- if you hop on one leg (the injured one) and it reproduces the pain, there is a good chance it's a SFX. 2- If you can pin point the pain (usually around the size of a dime) there is a good chance it's a SFX. 3- The type of pain- only you can know this, but if it's stabbing and it doesn't get any better through your run, but worse- there is a good chance it's a SFX.
Now, that being said- none of these are hard and fast rules, everyone is different, but it should give you some food for thought.
If you aren't sure, take off a few days. Better safe than sorry.
Signed- Usually ends up sorry.
ETA- on your shoe question- I was running in lower drop shoes and still love them, but due to a previous SFX, and my Q angle I was having posterior tib issues, and pronating a small bit. Support shoes really helped!
When I had a stress fx in my ankle, the best way I could describe the pain was that it felt kind of like the pain from a cavity in a tooth, if you know what that feels like, plus a little extra aching if I ran or walked on it.
The hop test produces pain in both. I can also pinpoint on the one leg exactly where it is. I did a vibration test as well (tuning fork) but that didn't bother me at all.
I think taking a few days off is best. Also, going to the doctor really is the smart decision at this point so I will just need to figure it out.
The hop test produces pain in both. I can also pinpoint on the one leg exactly where it is. I did a vibration test as well (tuning fork) but that didn't bother me at all.
I think taking a few days off is best. Also, going to the doctor really is the smart decision at this point so I will just need to figure it out.
Yea the only thing that still leads me to shin splints is the pain in both legs. Also- if you JUST ran and you are super tight, you could still feel pain on the hop test (from my experience) it is just differentiating the type of pain that can help you make a judgement call.
Also consider the size of the pinpoint and location- is it where your muscles/ligaments/tissues connect or is it truly just bone?
The hop test produces pain in both. I can also pinpoint on the one leg exactly where it is. I did a vibration test as well (tuning fork) but that didn't bother me at all.
I think taking a few days off is best. Also, going to the doctor really is the smart decision at this point so I will just need to figure it out.
Yea the only thing that still leads me to shin splints is the pain in both legs. Also- if you JUST ran and you are super tight, you could still feel pain on the hop test (from my experience) it is just differentiating the type of pain that can help you make a judgement call.
Also consider the size of the pinpoint and location- is it where your muscles/ligaments/tissues connect or is it truly just bone?
This is where I'm leaning toward it not being a fracture. My calves feel tight so that could be playing into everything. It's literally right to the side/underneath the bone but I'm doubting that it's the bone itself. It's hard to differentiate honestly.
That's the area where I'm experiencing it but it's in one specific spot and not down along my shin.