Archived Posts » 59,646,491
Shin spints vs. stress fracture...anyone with first hand experience?
2/20/2012 11:38:39 AM
I am trying to sort out what I have going on with my left leg.
I was transitioning from treadmill to the indoor track in prepartion for warmer weather and moving outdoors. The tight corners on the indoor track were bothering my knee previously. I was at 3 miles on the treadmill doing a variable incline mixing between 5-6 mph and have moved a half mile to the track walking a portion of it and finishing with a light jog.
I started to notice tighness just to the left of my shin bone starting a few inches below the knee and going down about three inches. It comes on gradually and got just shy of pain and then would fade. I also have a spot opposite of it that is a little smaller. It has been a one or the other thing. No problems walking, can't feel anything going on outside of jogging and it takes 3-5 minutes for it to become noticable. I have rubbed, massaged, and pushed on the areas and there is no pain other than from pushing on it damn hard trying to figure out if it hurt because I was pushing on it.
I have read a dozen or so articles and am confused and concerned as I was prior to reading the first one. I am going to the Dr. for a check up Thursday and will be going over the issue with him, but figured I would float it out here in the mean time. I would hate to be sidelined by a stress fracture. Heaven forbid it is I am sure I'll be here asking for workouts to keep me going while I heal.
I was transitioning from treadmill to the indoor track in prepartion for warmer weather and moving outdoors. The tight corners on the indoor track were bothering my knee previously. I was at 3 miles on the treadmill doing a variable incline mixing between 5-6 mph and have moved a half mile to the track walking a portion of it and finishing with a light jog.
I started to notice tighness just to the left of my shin bone starting a few inches below the knee and going down about three inches. It comes on gradually and got just shy of pain and then would fade. I also have a spot opposite of it that is a little smaller. It has been a one or the other thing. No problems walking, can't feel anything going on outside of jogging and it takes 3-5 minutes for it to become noticable. I have rubbed, massaged, and pushed on the areas and there is no pain other than from pushing on it damn hard trying to figure out if it hurt because I was pushing on it.
I have read a dozen or so articles and am confused and concerned as I was prior to reading the first one. I am going to the Dr. for a check up Thursday and will be going over the issue with him, but figured I would float it out here in the mean time. I would hate to be sidelined by a stress fracture. Heaven forbid it is I am sure I'll be here asking for workouts to keep me going while I heal.
2/20/2012 12:39:52 PM
Best way to tell is with an x-ray or bone scan, but you'll have to wait a few weeks for a stress fracture to show. They don't actually see the fracture lines, but the calcium that builds up to repair the crack. In the mean time, RICE, and cross train with non repetitive pounding stuff, like swimming, aqua jogging, cycling or spin class, etc.
2/20/2012 1:01:14 PM
I live with shin splint in my left leg pretty much 75% of the time, and what you describe does sound like a shin splint to me.
I've had a stress fracture before in my foot, and it hurt like a mofo. You'd know if it was a stress fracture. I couldn't put any pressure on my foot at all without excruciating pain, and I have a high tolerance for pain.
Are you wearing proper running shoes for your feet? I had shoes fitted for mine and it greatly reduced the frequency that I was getting shin splints.
I've had a stress fracture before in my foot, and it hurt like a mofo. You'd know if it was a stress fracture. I couldn't put any pressure on my foot at all without excruciating pain, and I have a high tolerance for pain.
Are you wearing proper running shoes for your feet? I had shoes fitted for mine and it greatly reduced the frequency that I was getting shin splints.
2/20/2012 1:03:07 PM
If you can't feel your heart beating in them at night then you probably don't have stress fractures, ask me how I know 
Take a break and recover, start again slow. Pain and discomfort are to different things. Don't be foolish and push through pain. Discomfort, yeah, all day long.
Take a break and recover, start again slow. Pain and discomfort are to different things. Don't be foolish and push through pain. Discomfort, yeah, all day long.
2/20/2012 1:11:19 PM
The problem is "shin splints" as a term is used for so many issues in the shin.
Does the location of the injury happen to be more medial (inside) or lateral (outside)?
How new is the running? You said you just switch from treadmill to track? How old are your shoes?
Does the location of the injury happen to be more medial (inside) or lateral (outside)?
How new is the running? You said you just switch from treadmill to track? How old are your shoes?
2/20/2012 1:15:01 PM
Some good links on the topic, as it's far more complicated than the layman's term "shin splints" would indicate:
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-241-285––11637-0,00.html
http://www.rice.edu/~jenky/sports/shin.html
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Sports-Medicine-1337/Chronic-Shin-Splints.htm
Depending on the severity of stress fractures, you might not feel them at all when at rest. Sometimes, you can try hopping on one foot or pounding the heel of the injured leg with your fist like a hmmer while sitting cross legged; pain from either might indicate a liklihood of a stress fracture, but the only way to tell for sure (and even then only after some time) is with an x-ray or bone scan.
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-241-285––11637-0,00.html
http://www.rice.edu/~jenky/sports/shin.html
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Sports-Medicine-1337/Chronic-Shin-Splints.htm
Depending on the severity of stress fractures, you might not feel them at all when at rest. Sometimes, you can try hopping on one foot or pounding the heel of the injured leg with your fist like a hmmer while sitting cross legged; pain from either might indicate a liklihood of a stress fracture, but the only way to tell for sure (and even then only after some time) is with an x-ray or bone scan.
2/20/2012 1:15:48 PM
Originally Posted By smithc6:
The problem is "shin splints" as a term is used for so many issues in the shin.
Does the location of the injury happen to be more medial (inside) or lateral (outside)?
How new is the running? You said you just switch from treadmill to track? How old are your shoes?
The problem is "shin splints" as a term is used for so many issues in the shin.
Does the location of the injury happen to be more medial (inside) or lateral (outside)?
How new is the running? You said you just switch from treadmill to track? How old are your shoes?
All excellent points.
2/20/2012 2:09:30 PM
Originally Posted By smithc6:
The problem is "shin splints" as a term is used for so many issues in the shin.
Does the location of the injury happen to be more medial (inside) or lateral (outside)?
How new is the running? You said you just switch from treadmill to track? How old are your shoes?
The problem is "shin splints" as a term is used for so many issues in the shin.
Does the location of the injury happen to be more medial (inside) or lateral (outside)?
How new is the running? You said you just switch from treadmill to track? How old are your shoes?
Started running 18 months ago.
Location-Lateral starting a few inches below the knee extending a few inches and starts about 5 minutes in as tightness, but does not reach the point of pain, Medial at the end of the workout feels a little tight also. The tightness last a half day to a day and is gone.
Shoes-Going on 8 months now. Average 10-15 miles a week. Outdoor through end of summer, indoor track after that for awhile, followed by treadmill, and now working back into the track with the change in workout.
The past two trips to the gym I did some warm up on the track, but did the rest of the cardio on the bike. The shin got a little tight towards the end of my warm up half mile. INo discomfort after riding the bike. I am moving everything over to the bike until I get a read from the Dr. and find out how to rehab if it is shin splints.
I read an article that said if you can hop on the foot of the leg with the issue and not feel killer pain then it is most likely shin splints. If that's the case I am feeling pretty good as I have no discomfort at all doing this.
My gut is telling me I need to go get new shoes from a pro shop that can fit me properly, the change in work out coupled with the move back to the track even though I was trying to do it slowly was enough to get things out of whack. I hate to stop running because I really like doing 5Ks for fun and was hoping to move up to a 10K in July to qualify for a 1/2 marathon. I am smart enough to know I better get well before doing more permanent damage.
2/20/2012 2:19:05 PM
You need new shoes.
2/20/2012 5:06:38 PM
Originally Posted By HunterRose13:
Started running 18 months ago.
Location-Lateral starting a few inches below the knee extending a few inches and starts about 5 minutes in as tightness, but does not reach the point of pain, Medial at the end of the workout feels a little tight also. The tightness last a half day to a day and is gone.
Shoes-Going on 8 months now. Average 10-15 miles a week. Outdoor through end of summer, indoor track after that for awhile, followed by treadmill, and now working back into the track with the change in workout.
The past two trips to the gym I did some warm up on the track, but did the rest of the cardio on the bike. The shin got a little tight towards the end of my warm up half mile. INo discomfort after riding the bike. I am moving everything over to the bike until I get a read from the Dr. and find out how to rehab if it is shin splints.
I read an article that said if you can hop on the foot of the leg with the issue and not feel killer pain then it is most likely shin splints. If that's the case I am feeling pretty good as I have no discomfort at all doing this.
My gut is telling me I need to go get new shoes from a pro shop that can fit me properly, the change in work out coupled with the move back to the track even though I was trying to do it slowly was enough to get things out of whack. I hate to stop running because I really like doing 5Ks for fun and was hoping to move up to a 10K in July to qualify for a 1/2 marathon. I am smart enough to know I better get well before doing more permanent damage.
Originally Posted By smithc6:
The problem is "shin splints" as a term is used for so many issues in the shin.
Does the location of the injury happen to be more medial (inside) or lateral (outside)?
How new is the running? You said you just switch from treadmill to track? How old are your shoes?
The problem is "shin splints" as a term is used for so many issues in the shin.
Does the location of the injury happen to be more medial (inside) or lateral (outside)?
How new is the running? You said you just switch from treadmill to track? How old are your shoes?
Started running 18 months ago.
Location-Lateral starting a few inches below the knee extending a few inches and starts about 5 minutes in as tightness, but does not reach the point of pain, Medial at the end of the workout feels a little tight also. The tightness last a half day to a day and is gone.
Shoes-Going on 8 months now. Average 10-15 miles a week. Outdoor through end of summer, indoor track after that for awhile, followed by treadmill, and now working back into the track with the change in workout.
The past two trips to the gym I did some warm up on the track, but did the rest of the cardio on the bike. The shin got a little tight towards the end of my warm up half mile. INo discomfort after riding the bike. I am moving everything over to the bike until I get a read from the Dr. and find out how to rehab if it is shin splints.
I read an article that said if you can hop on the foot of the leg with the issue and not feel killer pain then it is most likely shin splints. If that's the case I am feeling pretty good as I have no discomfort at all doing this.
My gut is telling me I need to go get new shoes from a pro shop that can fit me properly, the change in work out coupled with the move back to the track even though I was trying to do it slowly was enough to get things out of whack. I hate to stop running because I really like doing 5Ks for fun and was hoping to move up to a 10K in July to qualify for a 1/2 marathon. I am smart enough to know I better get well before doing more permanent damage.
My opinion is its combination of a few things. First, if I were you id go to reputable running specialty store and get fit for shoes. That can help tremendously when it comes to certain running related issues.
Second, treadmill running is a lot different than running on a track or outside. Mostly because on a treadmill youre only having to pick your feet up to keep up with the selected speed on the treadmill. When you go to any other surface youre having to use muscles you havent used in a while for propulsion. This can account for some fatigue in the shins. If track running is fairly new, this can be another source for some of these issues youre noticing.
I would try a new pair of shoes that youre fit for for a few weeks and get back to us if its still bothering you.
2/20/2012 10:28:00 PM
I had the inside shin pain all during basic training. Marches exacerbated the condition. It was excrutiating at times. The solution for me was more running. Within the first few months at Ft. Bragg, I forgot I ever had that pain.
A stretch that worked great for temporary relief was sitting on my heal with toes pointed back. You can also roll a towel and place it under your toes as you do this stretch.
A stretch that worked great for temporary relief was sitting on my heal with toes pointed back. You can also roll a towel and place it under your toes as you do this stretch.
2/20/2012 10:47:11 PM
My impression is that the pain from tendon inflammation fades during exercise if the inflammation isn't too severe. The pain from a stress fracture tends to worsen with activity. I may be wrong on the stress fracture - working on 2nd/3rd hand info, but my minor tendon problems in the past, have tended to not hurt after 10-15 minutes of running, but can be painful before and after.
In either case, abstaining from running for a couple days can't hurt. Head to the pool or get out your bicycle.
In either case, abstaining from running for a couple days can't hurt. Head to the pool or get out your bicycle.
2/21/2012 6:56:58 PM
I try to switch out shoes every three to four months. This saves cause my shin splints are excrutiating. The first few blocks on a outdoor run are extremly painful. After that I am fine and can complete a run. I try to stick to grass after the first few blocks. I live close to a park and that helps.
Icing helps in the evening. Just a hassle with trying to get everything else done during the day.
Icing helps in the evening. Just a hassle with trying to get everything else done during the day.
