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Shin Splints

Len5
Posts: 62 Forumite
Hi,
I hope someone can help or give me some advice.
I have started running and I suffer from shin splints. I am in constant pain and I am now struggling to complete my normal route of 2 miles, which I was able to complete before.
I massage my legs after my run and try and rest in between but they are becoming more painful and I am now struggling to walk up and down stairs and they throb all night after a run.
Is there anything I can do to prevent these? Do I need to invest in a good pair of running trainers?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Cheers
I hope someone can help or give me some advice.
I have started running and I suffer from shin splints. I am in constant pain and I am now struggling to complete my normal route of 2 miles, which I was able to complete before.
I massage my legs after my run and try and rest in between but they are becoming more painful and I am now struggling to walk up and down stairs and they throb all night after a run.
Is there anything I can do to prevent these? Do I need to invest in a good pair of running trainers?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Cheers
0
Comments
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You should wear a good pair of running trainers. They are better for your knees. What shoes do you wear at the moment? Are you running on roads/pavements? It's better for the knees to run on grass.
With shin splints, put a pillow under your calfs-ankles at night to raise your legs (Not too high though). The fluid will then drain back into your knees.0 -
Thank you for the advice,
At the moment I just have a pair of Nike trainers that don't have alot of cushioning and support. I am hopefully going to get a decent pair of trainers when I get paid. I am running on paths as this is where my running route is.
I will give the pillow idea a go tonight as I can suffer for days after a run.
Thank you for this and I will update you on my progress.0 -
You need to stop running while you have shin splints and ice and rest.
have a look here0 -
If you're serious about it get a gait analysis at a sport shop. They will use a computer to see how your feet land on the treadmill.
I recently completed my 1st half marathon and at mile 10 my knees gave up.
So I'm off for a gait next weekend & I'm treating myself to a new pair they suggest.0 -
I suffer from shin splints too, I've been advised to rub deep heat into my shins before a run and it seems to be working. Definitely invest in a proper pair of running trainers and get gait analysis, this also helps.0
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+1 for a gait analysis. You need to get the correct shoes depending on whether you are a neutral runner or over/under pronate etc. Also rest until they dont hurt when you are not running, take Ibuprofen, ice for 20 mins several times a day, and when you begin running again start slowly, run no more than every other day and increase the miles very slowly. Dont run fast, as this will increase your risk of injury until your body is used to the demands of running, run as slow as you can and vary the surfaces you run on-grass or cross country is better on your joints than roads.
If none of the advice above works, visit a physio, who can do ultra sound and tape up your shins too ( I have had both done and it does help).
Hope this helps.0 -
As above, you need to allow time for the shin splints to heal - when they have ease back in gently mileage wise and do look at your trainers. I am fairly heavy on my feet so I use cushioned sole trainers - the trend is for trainers with very little cushioning at the moment. I still get mild shin splints so wear compression socks - seem to help and contain the pain so I do not notice.0
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I used to suffer with shin splints when I started running 5 years ago. I wish I'd read some of the advice you've been given above. What I found helped was strapping my legs up with those bandage supports when I went for a run and then when my shins really started hurting (usually in the evenings) I would rub ibuprofen gel into them. I don't know if that was the right thing to do but it certainly helped.
One piece of advice that I was given was to make sure I was running properly i.e. my foot was contacting the ground heel through to toe - if that makes sense?
After a few months the pain stopped - hope yours does too.It's not how far you fall - it's how high you bounce back.... :jHappiness is not a destination - it's a journey0 -
Shin splints often heal on their own. If you see a doctor, expect to get a thorough physical exam. Your doctor may want to see you run to look for problems. You may also need X-rays or bone scans to look for fractures.
- Rest your body. It needs time to heal.
- Ice your shin to ease pain and swelling. Do it for 20-30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for 2 to 3 days, or until the pain is gone.
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I use that sports tape that begins with a K that for the life of me I can't remember the name of
that helps hugely when I'm out running. I find that the more I stretch the tape when applying it the more it keeps things where they should be.
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