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Pain in shin area

By February 10, 2010 - 2:50pm
 
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Hi
I have a random sharp stabbing pain at the front of my left shin. I have recently suffered a slipped disc and sciatica... I do not run or, dare I say exercise, due to my lower back problem at the moment and it is strange that this has only happened since the sciatica...I know and have had shin splints before and this is different... any other ideas..I am a 40 yr old female... thanks!

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I can relate and so sorry about your pain. Have you tried DMSO? I use it anywhere that I hurt; my hands, neck and hips for arthritis pain, and my lower back for a bad disc. It always helps alleviate the pain and I swear by it!
(Link to commercial product website removed by EmpowHER moderator.)

March 15, 2010 - 11:19am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Anon,
Actually, yes. With my pregnancy 5 years ago, my daughter sat on my sciatic nerve (lower right side of my back) the whole time! It was aweful! After she was born, the pain in my lower back and down my right leg stuck around for about a year. It didn't really come back at all when I had my son. He sat differently in the womb than she did. But this pain is on the opposite side as my sciatic problem. I don't know anything about nerves though, so that may not matter.

February 26, 2010 - 11:10am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Lula,
I have that EXACT same sharp pain in my left shin area. It comes and goes on a daily basis and I have no Idea what it's from. Matter of fact, it's doing it right now. Last about 3 seconds, goes and comes back. I do excercise, but it's not the same as shin splints. I haven't seen a doctor about it. I just keep thinking it will stop eventually. It's been almost a year since it started. I'm worried it could be related to bloodclots, but there is no bruising that i can tell. I"m baffled and should probably go see someone about it, but I have small children and my life pretty much revovles around them! hOpe you get some answers soon!

February 24, 2010 - 7:46pm
(reply to Anonymous)

Anon,

I'm wondering, have you ever had any sciatic nerve problems or pain that you are aware of? (Just looking for any possible link between you and Lula).

February 26, 2010 - 9:44am

Hi Lula,

Thank you for your question! I am sorry to hear about your shin pain, and recent spine & nerve problems. I agree, neuropathic pain (the type of pain originating from the nervous system, or spinal cord) is a very different kind of pain than the type felt with shin splints. One type of pain affects the tissues and muscles, while the other is affecting your nerves. Kind of like the difference between hitting your funny bone and getting a paper cut.

The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nerve in the human body, beginning in the lower back and extending down to the toes. Towards the lower thigh the sciatic nerve divides into two nerves, tibial and peroneal, which extend over different parts of the lower leg. With sciatica, leg pain is generally worse than lower back pain and the specific area of pain may be associated with the location of the herniated disc. Often times compression of higher lumbar nerves such as L2, L3, and L4 can cause sciatica pain to the front of the thigh and into the shin.

The shin pain you are experiencing may very well be a result of the sciatica and the slipped disc, seeing how leg pain is one of the most common symptoms experienced with those specific conditions. Certain medications or physical therapies may help relieve the pain you are experiencing. More information can be received on http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/lower-back-pain/low-back-pain-and-sciatica-radicular-pain.

I hope this helps, take care!

February 10, 2010 - 9:21pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Claire Cipolletti)

Dear God!! Finally someone offering a possible reason instead of teams more posts saying they have the same problem. Thank you!!!

July 28, 2016 - 7:38pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Claire Cipolletti)

I know its been a while since anyone has commented on this site, but I hope someone will read this. I also have sharp like pin sticking pain in m shin, but it's my left shin. It did go away at one time, but now it's back again. I'm scared to even rub lotion on the area because when I touch it, it feel like I have been stuck with a pin. At one time I wondered if it was from my one a day womens vitamins that I have been taking. Then, I thought maybe it was from a lack of calcium. I figured it shouldn't be a clot because I thought pain from clots usually come form in the calf area. I will be going to my doctor tomorrow. I think I will mention it this time.

June 24, 2010 - 11:03am
(reply to Anonymous)

I meant its my right shin. Yes, I will mention it to my doctor. I am 41 years old. Will be 42 in August.

June 24, 2010 - 6:10pm
Expert HERWriter Guide Blogger (reply to Anonymous)

Please do mention it to your doctor, and let us know what you learn. Good luck to you, we hope for the best.

June 24, 2010 - 5:35pm
(reply to Claire Cipolletti)

Hi Claire
Many thanks for your reply.

I have re-visited the doctor and he seems to think that the sciatic nerve isn't trapped and that the back pain is muscle related now. I am going for physiotherapy soon so hopefully they will sort me out. The short sharp stabbing pain in my shin is very sporadic and lasts about 3 seconds so im baffled..but know the back pain has eased the knee pain is back!!!
thanks again
Lula

February 16, 2010 - 1:22pm
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