Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Shin + Pain = Not Good

I haven't run very much since the half marathon on the 18th.  A couple of easy runs and a 5k.  I haven't run because I have been having shin pain and I am not really sure what to do about it. There is no definitive sore spot.  The tibialis anterior if anything has some pain when I massage it but nothing major. It doesn't hurt to flex my foot up or down.  Walking up stairs is barely painful.  It gets my attention but doesn't alter my gait.
 
  But when I run or jump on the leg I feel pain.  It goes away once I am warmed up and I don't even notice it after a mile or so.  It does not get worse at the end of, during or after the run.  I am at a loss about what to do.  It doesn't hurt when I do the elliptical machine so I have mostly been doing that, but the weather is nice and I would rather run outside.  I am trying to be patient about it, but I am not good at being patient.  There will be a sports medicine ortho surgeon at work tomorrow and hopefully I will be working with him so I can hit him up for advice.  I am trying to be optimistic.  At least all of the races I was really training for this summer are over!

I really want to run but I don't want to make it worse.  Anti-inflammatories can completely mask the pain to the point where I can jump with no pain.  I don't want to use them though and do activities that can make the underlying problem worse. 

Any thoughts or advice?  Anyone have this before?  Everything I have read on a stress fracture says if you have one you should be able to pinpoint a sore spot on your tibia.  I don't have a sore spot so hopefully that is not the issue! It isn't really sounding like the classic shin splints either so not really sure what to think!

ps if you could click on THIS link and vote for me for Team Refuel it could really brighten my day!  Thanks!, now I am off to pick crab apples to make some jelly!

25 comments:

  1. so sorry to hear that you are still experiencing pain. i know so little about shin splints etc but it seems like if it goes away and does not get worse...hopefully it is something that will heal quickly. hope the doctor tomorrow has some good advice!

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  2. Bummer! I am sorry your shin is hurting. I generally am one to keep running if it is something minor that goes away within the first mile and doesn't get worse during/after a run, and I am really good about icing sore spots. I don't like to take ibuprofen or anything else. If it is a shin splint there isn't much more you can do. I hope it feels better soon!

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  3. Sorry to hear about this! I'm not going to offer my unprofessional diagnosis, but I hope you get an idea of what it is/how to treat it asap.

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  4. it sounds like shin splints. I know you know WAY more than me but I just recently posted about this so go to following posts and basically just read the comments of everyone's suggestions on the first one, in the second I demonstrate the exercises I have been doing. They sure are working for me!!!

    http://running-w-spatulas.blogspot.com/2011/09/building-up-millage-and-beginner.html

    http://running-w-spatulas.blogspot.com/2011/09/mending-shin-splints-and-logans-sick.html

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  5. This is incredibly similar to what I was going through a few weeks back and may just be a result of over training (i.e. pushing yourself really hard during the half). I would take a week off of running and then ease back into it and see how you feel. I also took an ice bath every day, spot iced, and foam rolled like a crazy lady. It took a lot of time to baby it but it was totally worth it.

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  6. So sorry about the shin pain. I don't know much about it but I do know it is better to ask for help. It may be nothing major. It may just come with the terrority. i would just go to a PT and get it looked at. I think it will give some answers and hopefully peace of mind. Thats what I do anyway. I know how hard it is. I totally feel for you!! But you will get through this and it could be really nothing, just go get it checked out, do what you need to do and before you know it this will be a small blip on the radar. keep us updated

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  7. shoot. I am not sure but I am having shin pain too:(:( I'm praying it gets better. mine goes away after a few miles..do your calves hurt at all?

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  8. You are so smart not to further aggravate it...I keep thinking pain will going away, but that's just stupid!

    I hope you heal fast!!!!

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  9. I had something that sounds similar a few months ago and it went away on its own with a small decrease in running. I used some Arnica cream on the sore area daily too. Hope it feels better soon!

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  10. Hmmm...hopefully the professional will be able to tell you what's going on. If it IS shin splints...I've dealt with them off an on over the years and since I've started doing my daily ankle mobility exercises and ESPECIALLY keeping my calves stretched out good, the shins have given me no issues at all!

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  11. I have had my share of the shin splints and the best thing is to ice, and do stretches. Rest is also the best medicine. I hope you feel better soon because those shin splints can stress you out!!

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  12. Oh I am so glad you will be able to talk to a professional. That should give some peace of mind.
    I haven't had shin pain, but there are so many possibilities. If resting helps it, I'd give it a few days in a row off before testing it. Sounds like you are being smart!

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  13. So sorry to hear about the pain! Sounds like you are being smart though. Good luck! Hopefully it clears up soon. I voted again!

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  14. I'm been dealing with the same kind of thing! I actually got a good run in today after I switched shoes. You can read more here http://ihatethetreadmill.blogspot.com

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  15. Yikes. Wish I had some advice here. Sorry I've been so absent on your blog. I just realized that I don't know if you are my blog roll so I must add you right now!!

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  16. Well, I don't have any good advice. I read what the others have written and I think they have covered it. Hope the doc can help. Is it the same doc you talked to before?

    I did vote for you though. :)

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  17. I have my athletes do an ice massage. You fill dixie cups and then freeze them. THen you tear down the sides of the cups do about a 5 minute massage over the area that bothers you. My kids love it.

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  18. When my shin hurts, I rest and ice. Hope you're better soon! It's hard to miss out on the nice weather.

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  19. I'm sad to hear that you're hurt! I hope it feels better soon!

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  20. Shin pain is the worst!! I would say just keep doing the elliptical for a while...your legs might just need some rest. Hope you're better soon!

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  21. Dangit, I've gotten so behind on your blog. Just read this and I wondered what the ortho surgeon said. I have lower leg issues (shin and calf) so it'd be interesting to hear what he said.

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