I started getting what I thought was a shin splint just below the knee. I had never had shin splints this high on the leg before. I thought it might be time for some news shoes, but after a week in a new pair a Saucony Hurricanes, I still have the same sharp pain just below the knee. Any tips or remedies?
I had a similar pain in the muscle on the front of my leg right below my knee. It would act up every once in a while when running and persist a long time during the run if not the whole time. It was rather painful, but I was able to run through it. If the pain you have is in the muscle, than I would say try and run it out. in other words, just keep running if it doesn't [B]really[/B] hurt and hopefully it will go away after a few times. Hopefully that is of some help. I've never gotten shin splints, so I don't know what they feels like.
I always suggest the same thing. Take a couple of days off and see where you are then. If you've damaged something and still working it out, then you are not giving it any chance to heal itself.
I'm also a firm believer in physiotherpy for sports related injuries. Maybe it was having my mom as a doctor, but I always go straight to a physio whenever I have an injury that starts to linger.
Just my .02
Brian
Stretch your calve muscles. That muscle group can be come tight and actually pulls on the front muscle which run down the front of your shin. Stretch before but promarily after a run. DO NOT RUN THROUGH THIS PAIN. If you feel it hurting stop running, stretch and possibly continue but if it pursists you need to ice, rest all that good stuff.
One really good stretch is to put your feet together and then slowly squat down, keep your heals on the ground. If your shin is tight you will feel this. Come down as far as you can. You might have to hang on to something to keep your balance but make sure you keep your heels down.
Take care of yourself.
I totally agree with Trimedic. Take care of this injury as it can really turn into a injury that takes AGES to heal.
Another good stretch is for the soleus - done like a calf stretch but bend the knee. Do this on a step, standing as if walking up the stairs but have your heel hanging off the step. Position yourself so your body weight is through your heel, your knee is bent and you can feel the stetch in your calf.
Ice your shin every night - even if you haven't run.
If you really insist on running, do some water running - boring but it really works.
All the best - I hope it heals up soon.
KB
the streches seem to be helping, thanks!
Hi there. I started to get shin splints recently and the only advice I have for you is to stretch very good before any physical activity. When I stretch my calves and lower logs for a really long time and get them good and loose, I don't seem to get the shin splints. Hope this helps you out.
A follow-up on this old thread. In the last few days (I'm training for late Oct marathon) I've developed a nagging pain in the front of my shin but on the outer side of the bone. Shin splints are typically on the medial/inner side.
Any thoughts from any of our online experts about causes and/or treatments? Frankly, I'm a month out from the marathon so taking a week or two off isn't really an option until I start tapering in two weeks. I can run through the pain for a few months, but would like to identify and treat the problem if possible.
thanks.
Tamara,
The big concern when you get pain such as you describe is that it leads to a stress fracture. "Shin splints" is a catch all term for about half a dozen different types of injuries. If it persists, get it checked by a good sports ortho.
Often times, shin pain on the inside is caused by too much foot motion (pronation), correctable with store bought or custom orthotics. Pain on the outside is usually due to impact, and poor shock absorbtion. For that you can try a shoe with better cushioning, running on softer surfaces, and a sorbothane heel pad.
Heel cups can also help because they keep the fat pad under the heel from squishing out sideways on impact, thus giving you better natural shock absorption.
The exercises suggested above are also very good.
You may also want to look at your running technique, ie. landing on your heal instead of your forefoot.
I'd highly suggest picking up Evolution Running (DVD) or possibly ChiRunning (haven't seen it myself, but it's similar principals).
Their website is [url]www.evolutionrunning.com[/url]
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Or just [url]www.usasportstraining.com[/url]
I am sorry to bring up this old topic again. I am starting to have leg pain on the medial/inner side of my right leg. I also noticed some sweeling there and it also hurts when I am not running. Is this usual?
Hmm.. probably not good to be hurting when you're not running on it. Does it hurt if you press down on the bone?
Yep.... I have a friend that is a Physical Therapist and she said that it might be a problem with the muscle. I haven't run on it since last Tuesday and I still have some pain. I guess I might want to see a doctor.