O/T Shin Splints...

[Ⓩ-Ⓐ-Ⓜ-Ⓞ-Ⓡ-Ⓐ]

Dear Doctor NSC,

Got the dreaded shin splints on my right leg the other day, and was wondering roughly how long this kind of injury takes to heal? Also, any tips on what can speed up the process. I've read online that Vitamin B helps, but that's about it. Eees complicated.

Muchos Gracias

 

[Pat McCrotch]

had them when i was younger (during my raving days). f***ing agony, and takes an age to clear up. I feel for you bro

 

[IndependentWSU]

Rest rest rest, sports massage helped mine. Cleared up after 2 weeks.

 

[TotallyFreaked]

Depends on how much damage you have done to your muscles and tendons. Found in the past that a couple of weeks of rest before returning to light running again and building up slowly. Classic treatment is RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation). Its usually caused by a sudden increase in running especially if you overpronate. Key is preventing it happening again so look at your shoes and I also recommend purchasing a foam roller to help soften the muscle tissue (cheaper than a massage!). You can find information about these on the internet but it stopped a lot of my usual injuries /niggles from running.

 

[Dawn Korus]

I got it during training for this years marathon, very painful. Only sports physio and rest sorted mine out and it took weeks. Try Flaxseed Oil from Holland and Barrett, really helps reduce the pain and swelling. Go for the oil and not the capsules, but be warned it doesn't taste great but you do get used to it.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

I got it in my late teens and early twenties. I had to be very careful what exercise I did, but did the London Marathon at 23 so it does go if you look after it. I remember Ryan Giggs had shin splints in his early career too. As [MENTION=20101]TotallyFreaked[/MENTION] says, rest, ice, compression and elevation is the way forward.

 

[rool]

What does this condition feel like?

I walk fast to and from the station each day and after about five minutes I get shooting pains up the front of my shin bone. I walk through it but it does bloody hurt.

 

[n1 gull]

What does this condition feel like?

I walk fast to and from the station each day and after about five minutes I get shooting pains up the front of my shin bone. I walk through it but it does bloody hurt.

that is shin splints but obviously not too bad. apparently shortening your stride helps

 

[Crouch End Seagull]

I got them training for the 2009 London Marathon and managed the pain - very probably ill advisedly - by following the only bit of online advice that said you could train through them (iboprofen, slow warm ups, lots of stretches) but really best advice is to rest 2-3 weeks and come back slowly. Also acupuncture really helped. Since using calf guards for running and a foam roller before and after exercise I've had a lot less calf and shin problems.

 

[ryans father]

Got mine from playing a lot of cricket when younger. Bloody agony after bowling couldnt hardly walk the next day.

Saw many doctors including the then England cricket doctor, but eventually accupuncture cured them in a month!

 

[virtual22]

I used to get it a lot and it will take a while to get better. I had to change my shoes as I was playing 5 a side in astro's but changed to running trainers which helped. Also, when you do get better, try walking on your heels as part of your warm up routine.

 

[rool]

that is shin splints but obviously not too bad. apparently shortening your stride helps

Ahh ok thanks, I'll wear a fishtail dress to work from now on, that'll do the trick.

 

[Codner pharmaceuticals]

Genuine shin splints can be tiny stress fractures. I get shin pain when my runnig shoes need renewing. Get ones with maximum cushioning.

Also make sure you warm up your to Tibialis anterior muscle (that bulgy bit outside your shin bone) by pushing the outside of your foot against the ground.

 

[Jam The Man]

I had shin splints when aged 15-17... the only relief i got was to have a hot bath DAILY!

 

[Ⓩ-Ⓐ-Ⓜ-Ⓞ-Ⓡ-Ⓐ]

Sorry to bump the thread, but thanks for all the tips folks. The old splints seem to be improving a bit, mostly through rest and a bit of RICE, but will probs be another week or so before I start jogging again.

 

[woodster]

I'm sure you've considered it but.......make sure your running shoes are in good nick and suitable for your gait. Also consider off road rather than the monotonous slog that is road running.

 

[tedebear]

Glad to hear you're on the mend, its a long time since I've suffered (but then its a long time since I've seriously run)....but I had a small bout of it some years ago, rest and changing my shoes seemed to work (changed to asics gel if I remember rightly at the time). Nasty business.