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alicesayles
Question:
Have I Got Shin Splints?
I have been told i have got shin splints. I was told to rest my legs for a month. I am now on that rest period (just into the last week). However, i have been doing NO exercise (except for swimming) and when i walk or even just sit down i still get pain running down the sides of my inner leg. Sometimes one leg hurts one day, then its the other the next. I really need help because i really want to get back to training shin-splint free! I am 13 years old, and am 5 foot 5, my athletics coach reckons the fact i am growing is maybe causing my shin splints, could this be true? Please help!!!!! Alice
Asked by alicesayles - 6 answers - 38 weeks 4 days ago
porksoda4453
It is very possible that you could have shin splints. The only fix for shin splints is to refrain from running on hard srufaces for a while. But this doesn't mean you have to sit around on the couch untill you feel better. Cycling will help you maintain your cardiovascular fitness without and added stress to your shins. Also underwater running with a weight belt on can be a great way to cross-train until your are better.
Submitted 38 weeks 4 days ago by porksoda4453physioroute
go to my blog on shin splints for more information. Although I would recommend that you get assessed by a Professional to see if there is anything that they can offer to help. Because of your age sadly a lot of therapeutic input is very restricted, however a full assessment would be beneficial.
Submitted 38 weeks 3 days ago by physiorouteshindog
It can be very difficult to diagnose the pain that you have down your shins. It tends to be one of three things, those being Shin Splints, Deep Compartment syndrome and stress fractures.
I know stress fractures seems a bit extreme but unlike other fractures which are acute (instant) injuries stress fractures are chronic (overuse) injuries. They are very common in long distance runners and the fracture tends too be 2/3rds up the tibia.
Deep compartment syndromme sounds complicated but bare with me. your muscles in your legs are bunched into compartments which are surrounded by a muscle sheath. when blood starts pumping into these bundles of fibre they expand which builds up pressure in the sheath. This happens to everyone but in some cases the pressure is to much and the muscle starts to be starved of oxygen which then causes pain.
I will just give you a quick run down on shin spints. The process is very similar to Deep Compartment Syndrome. The only difference is that the muscle sheath overstretches with the presure and starts so split or splinter.
Due to you being so young there could be another reason for the pain and it is called Osgood Schlatais (maybe spelt wrong) which is a bit of extra bone growth on the knee which pulls on a tendon (very common in children doing lots of sport)
Unfortunately all require rest. The best thing to do is to see a physio as they are best to see about sporting injuries. Good luck hope this helps and you are up and running again soon
Submitted 38 weeks 1 day ago by shindogsldc
The previous posts have been very thorough,so I wont repeat too much.
Submitted 38 weeks 20 hours ago by sldcI would advise you go and see a sports injuries health professional(Sports chiropractor,physio,sports therapist), they will give a full examination looking at your back,feet legs and all the surrounding muscles.They should also look at how you run,to see if there are any problems.
You will then be given a better idea of whats the underlying causing of your shin pain and given the appropriate treatment.
Hopefully getting you back to running as soon as possible. I would suggest if it is a muscular problem that you go see an Active Release Techniques provider(ART) www.activerelease.com,which is very effective with soft tissue injuries.
Wishing you all the best
lyssvchill
My friend got shin splits from wearing the wrong shoes. She was told to rest too. But she didn't really because she was a thrower in track. for her they did go away, but it took alot of icing and resting also. Shin splits may not fully go away.
Submitted 37 weeks 4 days ago by lyssvchillGreg Rasmussen
Shin splints really is a misnomer. Nevertheless, it is a common term that describes a number of injuries, i.e., medial tibial stress syndrome, stress fractures, compartment syndrome. A very common type that is experienced involves the tearing away of the muscle tissue that attaches to the front of the lower leg. I had a 16 year old runner last year with "shin splints." She was advised to rest, take ibuprofen, say goodbye to your season.
I went to several good websites, studied various injuries, and was able to determine in her case it was medial tibial stress syndrome. Running a thumb along the outside edge of the tibia, you could actually feel a tearing away area about 15 centimeters long of the muscle from the leg. She iced daily, swam competively for cross-training, and did a course of rehab stretches and exercises. She was able to return before seasons end and qualify for states.
Here are some good websites.
http://www.athleticadvisor.com/Injuries/LE/shin_splints.htm
http://www.halhigdon.com/15Ktraining/Stretch.htm
This is a good one:
http://www.watfxc.com/TF/TF%20Education/shin_splints.htm
Submitted 20 weeks 2 days ago by Greg Rasmussen