"Shin splints" are the result of injury to the muscle along the inner front of your leg, often from either overuse, over-training or over-stride. When the muscle becomes inflamed, you feel anything from an annoying ache during or after exercise to a sharp pain that might bring you to a halt - like that little leprachaun stabbing your leg sort of pain that you described.
As a marathoner/coach, I see this type of injury more often among new runners, although even "veteran" runners can develop shin splints by running on uneven terrain or in worn or improperly-fitted shoes, biomechanical issues, or simply by doing too much when resuming training after a long break during the off-season. Shin splints can occur among more than just runners, and I concur with Alison that what you describe sure sounds like this type of injury.
Treatment begins by icing the inflamed muscle, cutting back on the activity, taking an anti-inflammatory drug (like ibuprofen) and allowing the muscle to heal. Properly loosening up before your workouts and gentle stretching afterward will keep the muscle flexible and less prone to injury.
Like Alison suggested, consultation with your doctor to determine if you might have fractures would be warranted. It sounds like you do need to cut back on your activity until you have your injury checked. Definitely ice and rest.
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"Shin splints" are the result of injury to the muscle along the inner front of your leg, often from either overuse, over-training or over-stride. When the muscle becomes inflamed, you feel anything from an annoying ache during or after exercise to a sharp pain that might bring you to a halt - like that little leprachaun stabbing your leg sort of pain that you described.
As a marathoner/coach, I see this type of injury more often among new runners, although even "veteran" runners can develop shin splints by running on uneven terrain or in worn or improperly-fitted shoes, biomechanical issues, or simply by doing too much when resuming training after a long break during the off-season. Shin splints can occur among more than just runners, and I concur with Alison that what you describe sure sounds like this type of injury.
Treatment begins by icing the inflamed muscle, cutting back on the activity, taking an anti-inflammatory drug (like ibuprofen) and allowing the muscle to heal. Properly loosening up before your workouts and gentle stretching afterward will keep the muscle flexible and less prone to injury.
Like Alison suggested, consultation with your doctor to determine if you might have fractures would be warranted. It sounds like you do need to cut back on your activity until you have your injury checked. Definitely ice and rest.
I hope you get help and heal soon.
October 7, 2008 - 4:49pmThis Comment
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