Compartments Syndrome/Shin-splints

[KIMBERLYPARE]

Not sure if they are the same thing ,but I had many,MANY moons ago compartments syndrome which is basically the muscles trying to expand during training but being held in too tight by the muscle wall causing extreme pain and sometimes losing the use of my ankles and would be tabbing with feet all over the place as i couldn't control them.
A simple operation consisting of 3 incisions down each shin to cut away the non-necessary muscle wall was all it took,was in and out of hospital in 2 days,and back in action 2 weeks later.
Its apparently an operation widely used for open-fractures.
It worked a treat,was pretty much hassel free and have never had any trouble since.
So keep this in mind if you think you have shin-splints and they are not abating through rehabilitation measures.
It's worth getting an appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon even if it costs a hundred quid or thereabouts,then you will know and if you need an op he will put you in line for it.
Good luck guys!

KP.

[_chris]

No you're right they are different things, compartments build up of pressure and shin splints build up of minor damage (very simplified). Top advice there though; if the standard rehab isn't working then don't hesitate to see a professional to get it checked out. Glad to hear everything worked out ok for you though.

[Stinky]

I was once told this by a doctor, and then told by a fitness instructer at the gym that it 'could' be because of the angle of the arch in the foot is in a certain position where when you stand on it and it collapes it puts the leg bone in a position where it can't absorb the shock enough and so the bone gets damaged. And that's why you can get though customized soles to put in the shoe that absord the shock to stop shin splints. Diffrent things maybe but I doubt anybody could tell the diffrence when they feel it, so as _chris said, best see the professional, as always.

[_chris]

If the bone starts absorbing the shock then that puts you at risk of a stress fracture. If the muscles are absorbing the shock normally then if there is a higher than normal amount or too little recovery time (or the body is for some reason not recovering) then your at risk of shin splints. Compartments different as its not caused by impact. So your instructor was wrong on that count.

You can tell the difference as they have slightly different usual characterisitics: compartment syndrome will feel more painful as you warm up and ease during periods of rest; shin splints is the opposite; stress fratcures are painful tot he touch and when weight is placed ont he limb. But this is very rough so if after 3 weeks the pain isn't subsiding then see a professional.

[fodd]

i was diagnosed with chronic compartment syndrome last year i had a fasciotomy on my right leg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasciotomy

it's an absolute pain in the arse to get rid off!! lots of ice and brufen i dont get many pains anymore though

[riflebutt]

I think when Fodd gets back in we should have a celebration

[AJtothemax]

i was diagnosed with chronic compartment syndrome last year i had a fasciotomy on my right leg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasciotomy

it's an absolute pain in the arse to get rid off!! lots of ice and brufen i dont get many pains anymore though

I had it in both mate. I hated it. Its just the waiting that gets to you if anything.

Much better now though. Keep at it fodd, we'll get there eventually.

[fodd]

I'd read about a Fasciotomy a while ago, when the doctor suggested I might have compartment syndrome. (Subsequently, fortunately I don't)

It looks really nasty, did both of you chaps have the huge open wounds following the op?

yeah mate i couldn't walk for over 10 or so weeks was ver painfull cos they cut the muscle open!

[fodd]

im gettin there now mate but it's taken a while to heal etc i still get the odd pain but not too much if you want any advice pm me bud

[AJtothemax]

I'd read about a Fasciotomy a while ago, when the doctor suggested I might have compartment syndrome. (Subsequently, fortunately I don't)

It looks really nasty, did both of you chaps have the huge open wounds following the op?

Same boat as fodd. Took me a long while to recover. They padded both my legs up real good though, was a pain in the arse to get around though. Couldn't do this, not supposed to do that etc.

Its alot better now though.