Bi-lateral lateral lower leg pain.

mrb0821 · 02-24-2009, 12:56 AM

Background: I am a 22 year old female who has played soccer and run recreationally for the majority of my life. I am 5'3 and 115 pounds. I consider myself in pretty good shape. For the past several (3-4) years I have been having "shin" pain on both legs. It acts like "shin splints" or Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome. I have been to several Physicians and have yet to have a clear cut answer.

I run regularly, and I always have. I came on gradually but now it just won't go away. I've tried ice, NSAIDS, ultrasound, massage, rest, different activities, and orthotics. Unfortunately, I love to run, soI keep coming back to it and the pain comes with it. The pain comes on during runs (nto every time I run, but most times) usually within 10-20 minutes of my start. The muscle (anterior tibialis-I'm pretty sure) gets hard and seems to bulge almost after a while. It is sore upon palpation and to touch (if touched with significant pressure) After stopping, and for the next few days, my shins are achy and sore and sharp pains are exhibited upon dorsiflexion.

I've have vascular tests to rule out any vessel entrapments. I've had x-rays and MRIs to rule out stress fractures. I'm thinking it's compartment syndrome.

I'm at the end of my thread. Should I consider a fasciotomy?

1. When did the pain begin? Approx. 4 years ago

2. What were you doing at the time? Or did the pain come on gradually over time? Playing soccer and running regularly

3. Where, anatomically, is the pain? Lateral aspectof BOTH lower legs (along the axis of the tibialis anterior)

4. What does the pain feel like? Sharp? Dull? Aching? Stabbing? Shooting? Sharp when running, then dull,achy when i stop, after stopping-sharp pains are exhibited upon dorsiflexion

5. Is the pain constant, or intermittent, or only on certain motions? constant dull achiness when at rest after a flare up, sharp when dorsiflexed

6. What motions make your pain worse? running or walking a lot ignites a flare up. Dorsiflexion after a running bout makes it worse.

7. What, if anything, makes your pain better? DAYS of no continuous activity (i.e. NOT working-as a nurses' aid- and NO running)

8. Does your pain radiate to any other part of your body?No

9. What things could you do before, that you cannot do now because of your injury? Running wihtout pain walking around without pain

10. What is your main concern regarding the pain and its consequences? I want to be able to do what I could do 3-4 years ago

11. Have you ever injured that part of your body before? If so, how? No

12. Is your pain getting worse over time? And if so, how much worse over what time period? Not really, but nothing seems to help either

UConnJulie · 02-24-2009, 08:09 PM

Do you stretch?
Do you have trigger points in your calves (gastroc/soleus), peroneals, and/or anterior muscles?

LisaS · 02-25-2009, 05:48 PM

I defer to Julie on the medical and injury aspects but I wonder:

Have you tried changing your running style - something more like Chi Running / POSE where there is a forefoot/midfoot strike rather than a heel strike?

Have you tried something easy like running barefoot in grass where you will naturally use a forefoot strike just to see if you react differently?