Need Help! Doctor said I have shin splints, but...

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18 years ago 11/10/2005 10:00am EST

Hey guys. I went to the doctor today because I thought I had a stress fracture. All the signs were there: isolated sore spot, bruising, swelling, hurt to run, etc.

The spot is on the inside of my lower left tibia, right around the ankle. As soon as I felt the pain, I stopped running. I've had a stress fracture before, and I didn't want to be out any longer than I had to. It's been about 2 weeks since I've done any running, and I can still feel the sore spot when I press down.

My doctor felt around my leg and had me do the one leg jump test (it didn't hurt) and concluded I had shin splints/MTTS. He said there was no need for an x-ray. Funny thing is, I've been running for 10 years and never had shin splints before.

If this isn't a stress fracture, what else could it be? Why would it be shin splints when I've been resting for 2 weeks and the pain is still there? Finally, can I run soon?

18 years ago 11/10/2005 10:42am EST

re: sore leg

If I were you I would get a second opinion. I am an Athletic Trainer and a runner. If you have had one before and it feels the same, I would go to another doctor at least to get xrays. Plus most doctors do xrays no matter what the problem is.

18 years ago 11/10/2005 11:26am EST

re: Tito Puente

The stress fracture I had before, although on the same leg, was on a different part of the tibia. The sore spot is very similar though, in terms of pain.

18 years ago 11/10/2005 11:34am EST

re: sore leg

I thought shin splints were more common when beginning to run ... "too much to soon"?

I would definately get a 2nd opinion or ask this doctor for an x-ray.

18 years ago 11/10/2005 12:59pm EST

re: hmmmm

X-rays are useless at this point. Will not show anything. A bone scan is the best test to see if you have a stress fracture.

Depending on your running schedule, you can just treat it as if it is a stress fracture and take 6 weeks off or so until you have no pain. You should have zero pain when you press on the area before starting running again if it is a stress fracture.

Try to go to a sports med guy next time. You can find a good sports podiatrist at

www.aapsm.org

or go to your local running store and ask who they recommend

Brian

18 years ago 11/10/2005 1:26pm EST

re: bfullem

A x-ray might reveal something after two weeks due to the healing of the bone. A bone scan might reveal more.

You might want to find some exercises you can do to help with shin splints in the mean time. It might help and it probably won't hurt you. Flex and pointing your toes for 10 secs in each direction while sitting in class or watching tv always helped me.

18 years ago 11/10/2005 2:06pm EST

re: sore leg

I had what sounds like almost the exact pain. My doctor ruled out a stress fracture also. Mine would flare up if I done any type of speedwork. I done some resistance exercises with my ankles, iced the hell out of it and very gently eased into some speedwork. It's been about 2 years and I've had no problems with it since.

Good Luck, I know mine was aggravating as hell.

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