Hi -
2010 New Yrs resolution was to work towards a 10k. I had ran several 5k's before and was ready to step it up. When I started training it had been 4-5 months since I'd been running, but running was not new to me. I've always run anywhere between 1-2miles standard for plain exercise. So from Feb. 2010 - July 2010, I worked up from my base of 2 miles to 6.5 miles, completed the 10k successfully.
But I have some pain issues that have been ongoing. Started in 2006 when I was a college baton twirler - lots of jumping and leaping and dancing in thin-sole unsupportive canvas twirling shoes. I started to get these bumps along the inside of my shins. They will and will shift a bit side to side if i rub them, very similar to a muscle knot in your back or shoulders. Sometimes when I rub them they don't hurt at all, other times it's like a cramping pain. Almost feels like a contusion or internal bruise. There is no outer bruising that seems to be related.
The pain started to get aggravated/worsen as I was running longer distances, even though I was careful to add in 10% increments, slowly, steadily, gradually, and not push myself to get to 6miles before my body was ready. I also started getting inner ankle pain and now the pain has moved to the inner arches. I believe this is result of both running Both legs are affected in the same ways and same places. I have a monthly membership at the local Massage Envy, but it's gotten to the point where it's uncomfortable or sometimes painful to have these areas massaged. Especially the arches. My boyfriend can't even try to massage them lightly without me coming off the seat or crunching my foot involuntarily.
I went to a local sport othopedic surgeon under my insurance and discussed my issues. He immediately sent me to his hospital affifilate for a bone scan for suspicion of stress fractures. Problem is that the scan came back negative. No stress fractures. This is good news, but I still don't know the cause of the pain and if the bumps will ever go away. My next step would be to return to the surgeon for his next suggestion, but I'm afraid it'll be some sort of tendonitis as a result of earlier shin splints, and I'll be sent to physical therapy multiple times per week. I understand that if I want to get better and maybe work up to a half marathon, then I may need to agree to time-consuming PT. But I'm wondering first if anyone has had this problem and if PT has helped? My surgeon seemed to think I didn't run enough to have to seek medical attention, and so I'm a bit reluctant to return as I feel like I'm bothering him. Maybe seek out a different doctor. I try some PT stretches of my own at home, and continue with compression/ACE bandages, heat/ice and rest whenever I can. But the problem is even when I don't run for months at a time, the problem doesn't improve.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!