Shin Pain

[Auron]

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

It seems I have developed yet another injury. I have pains down the inside of my shin and makes running unbearable, I have had these before a few years ago when I reached 16 stone, but they would ease after a week or so, then flare up again when I next play. Thing is I have been at a constant weight for a time and had no problems all season up until this week when they came out of no where. I am guessing its some kind of inflammation. What would be the best way to ease it? Hot and cold therapy? Ibuprofen gel to the affected area? Sleeping with legs raised? Problem is I have two big games, one tomorrow and one next Saturday so need to ease it as best as possible.

[Bullneck Pacifist Gimboid]

Well, it might just be as simple as DOMS / IMS in the muscle down the front of your shin, then again it might be Shin Splints, GP should be able to tell you either way.

Not much help here anymore as I've forgotten most of what I knew about running related injuries but I'm almost certain that KitKat had Shin Splints last year or year before so it might be worth visiting The Old Dead Forum and seeing if she has any advice? Common sense would indicate to me that if it's just DOMS/IMS, it's coming from poor dorsiflexion, so improving that would ease the problem - also might be indicative of plantar fasciitis (fallen arches) if memory serves.

Other than that, since you're in Nottingham, if you pop into TFN there'll be some specialist running advisors there who will be able to point you in the right direction as regards training/running/playing around this. It might still be a dude called Dean Jackson, if it is he knows his shit inside out. Only problem with that is, they'll probably try and sell you some £120 trainers while you're there (you don't need em btw unless you're running more than 30 miles a week, then you'll want some Brooks Beast or whatever the current equivalent may be)

It's really nothing major, hurts like a bitch I know but practically everyone gets this at some stage or another, I wouldn't worry about it too much man. It gets me every bloody morning walking down to the station lol

[ATZ]

Sounds like Shin splints. Too much time running on hard surfaces, when I had these due to rugby training on Astro Turf the physio recommended agressively rubbing ibuprofen gel into the affected area, hard pressure and lots of gel. Did ease the symptoms but didn't cure them completely, afraid there's only one cure for that, and yep you've guessed it - REST.

I have quite a lot of joy with Arnica for bumps/bruises and inflammation too, cream works good on bruises and the oral form works well on any deep tissue injury - might be worth a try.

Also, I'd get it checked out just in case, one of my mates had similar symptoms that were the precursor to compartment syndrome (http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/compartment-syndrome.html)

[Bullneck Pacifist Gimboid]

Further to the above...http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/lowerleg/shinsplints.htm

Key extract being

"What can the athlete do about shin splints?

- Rest. The sooner you rest the sooner it will heal.
- Apply ice or cold therapy in the early stages when it is very painful. Cold therapy reduces pain and inflammation. Cold therapy can be applied.
- Wear shock absorbing insoles in shoes.
- Maintain fitness with other non weight bearing exercises.
- Apply heat and use a heat retainer or shin and calf support after the initial acute stage and particularly before training. This can provide support and compression to the lower leg helping to reduce the strain on the muscles. It will also retain the bodies natural heat. Heat causes blood vessels to dilate and increases the flow of blood to the tissues.
- Visit a sports injury clinic for treatment and rehabilitation."

Re: the shock absorbing insoles, the best in the biz are Noene, thin, light, and they're mental good at shock absorption, used to go for about £7 or so when I used to sell em (about 5 years ago) - edit, quick google check, Noene 2mm flatbed go for between £15-£20 these days it seems. Man my memory sucks, lol.

[Auron]

Thanks for that gents. Got me some gel for the aggressive rubbing.....!

Will look at the insoles.

[Auron]

Been rubbing them with some 10% ibuprofen gel, its agony! I can not afford to miss the next two games so its an evening of trying to reduce inflammation and pain through the medium of abrasive massage and ice therapy for me.

[BengDogg]

well ibuprofen like nurofen etc will ease the inflamation and what not as well as ease the pain a little but yknowifyou are in agony what do you htink your body is telling you? and yet your itching to play your games, you are gonna have to be carefull as the longer you agravate this the longer its gonna take to heal, i used to get shin splints but these days i dont seem to have any problem with them.

[Auron]

It is agony when I am digging my fingers in trying to loosen the area between my calf muscle and my ankle. It is solid, like rock, in fact my calf seems pretty hard and tight too, since i did this in my lunch break it has eased considerably.

[Angel Delight]

If you are prone to shin splints it can become a recurring problem. I have had it once in the past and using the correct foot placement cured it. Always make sure you land the heels, alot of people run on the toes.

I always use Sorbathane insoles for high impact activities.

Also stretching the calves helps. Once the pain hs gone work on strengthening Tibialis Anterior. Dorsi flexion work.

[Auron]

I must of been too abrasive with rubbing the ibuprofen in as this morning I had bruises of my leg, but during the match and after I have had no pain, which is strange, but I am not complaining.

Yeah, I have been concentrating on having a heel strike when running.

[Bullneck Pacifist Gimboid]

^^ I always found Sorbothane to be too thick, made my shoes not fit right haha.

[Angel Delight]

Thats probably because you got the Sorbathane Footbeds! You can get Sorbathane Insoles too :023:

[Bullneck Pacifist Gimboid]

Yeah I know I used to sell them ;)

Have you tried the Noene's? Same price as the Sorbo's but the old "ball bearing test" they are about 3 times the shock absorption, heavily recommended.