Injuries and RehabTell us where it hurts! Do a quick search before asking about your shoulder injury to make sure your question hasn't already been answered (about 50 times), and read the sticky post first.
1) Rule out stress fractures of the tibia--usually done clinically if the pain is more specific than regional, but most docs here tend to send their patients off for a bone scan just in case.
2) Ice after activity.
3) Cutting back on volume and/or intensity to allow for adaptation.
How ironic. You asked the question today, and I _happen_ to come across an article in the journal I'm reviewing for a paper.
Apparently, the term "shin splints" is a large umbrella term for many things. This article in this journal (the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine) suggests that the term not be used unless at least stress fracture, compartment syndrome and muscle hernia have been ruled out.
So, I guess the answer to your question is another question, Sarah =). What have you got?
The consensus seems to be what Webmd called "Lateral shin splints (sometimes called anterior shin splints.)" I'm not sure what they are...I just know they hurt, and I just want them to go away, as quickly as possible.
Boy am I familiar with this topic (sadly)! The term 'shin splints' is just a catch-all phrase that can describe a number of different ailments, some of which have been mentioned by Bryan.
First things first. Stop doing the offending activity...more than likely running is causing it. Then check out this basic primer first. . Often, you can't self-diagnose this overuse injury. If stopping the offending activity (along with the usual NSAIDs and ice) doesn't help, you should probably see an Orthopod or Physical physician. There are literally almost a dozen causes for this type of pain, from the most mundane (overuse and stress on the tibialis anterior) to the less common (falling arches putting strain on a tendon on the bottom of the foot which pulls up and across one of the tendons on the front of the leg) and therefore a lot of different courses of treatment.
BTW, if the pain is on the outside of the shin, it is more likely caused by an imbalance or compartment syndrome than if it is in the interior. Although rather rare, compartment syndrome must be addressed immediately.
Usually, with a stress fracture, you can push on the spot with a finger and it hurts, while if it is a general overuse shin splint, it will be a generalized pain.
Sorry for that info, but the first thing you need to do is to understand that it is an injury of overuse/imbalance and cut down/eliminate the offending problem. If you don't, it could lead to greater and more serious issues down the road (I know - ask for my sad story).
Now that sounds terribly patronizing! I wasn't looking for sympathy - just don't want to see people tread down the horrible path I have. Let's just say I've suffered from shin splints, plantar fascitiis, stress fractures, and knee problems and all of them are inter-related. Ignore something small that is an overuse injury at your own peril....it can, and often will, become something much worse.
I didn't intend that to sound patronizing. Unfortunately, the problem with type is that voice inflection is lost. I apologize. I don't plan on ignoring them, but I do want it to go away, it hurts terribly. I'm gonna miss not running for awhile. I was making so much progress, hitting PR's, and it felt good after having been stuck on a plateau for so long. I just went with it. I've definitely learned a lesson.
Don't apologize - I'm thick skinned. [img]smile.gif[/img] It's the 'honey' that sounded patronizing.
I'm sorry to hear that. I will say that I once had shin splints for over 4 months. But I ignored them when they appeared for a good month until I had to stop running altogether. Sucks. Now, with all of the injuries, I've finally said adios to running anything more than 2 miles...and I'm only 37 years old. Like I said, it sucks.
Hey, while you rest them would be a good time to work your paddling skills, or hit the rowing machine at JPs. Or my favorite, hit the road bike for some serious high-speed miles (it's gotten to the point that I can't wait for my next ride, even when I'm putting my bike away from the ride I just took).
The road bike and I are starting to become good friends. It's great. I think I still have some Roadie blood coursing through my veins. It's cool because it evens the playing field between the sexes. I couldn't touch my ex when we were mtbiking, but could hang on road bikes.
__________________
Live cheap. Play hard. I love to climb hills.
I thought I had pretty much rid myself of my 'roadie blood' last fall, but man has it come back with a vengeance this summer. Maybe the TdF is inspring me!
We have three ladies in our road bike group(ages 37, 40, and 41) and all can kick serious ass and hang with no problem. They're all too small to draft off of though.
Linear Mode
