Shin Splints

[Buzz]

I wear some pikey Umbro's.. Don't care though they allow me to run, it's all I need.

[rockapemk1]

Started again tonight, managed a 4 miler with no worries, didnt want to push it to 6.4 miles just incase it played up again. Feels fine at the moment

[Daveb]

That's good news rockapemk1 mate

On the trainers issue. Guys, I know it sounds stupid, but it is best to invest in a decent pair of trainers that gives you support/comfort. Try to find some that has a good 'cushion' in the heel area or else if you dont, it will eventually do your knee's in and also may be a reason for shin splints.

Remember, most of us here are either in or just about to join the military....you aint gonna go far with knackered knees.

(this isnt having a go at anyone, just looking out for all your fitness )

[rockapemk1]

I use a pair of Reebok classics, seems to do alright for me

[Valkryja]

Hellooo,

I get shin splints pretty regularily too, and Im by no means a gym bunny.

It only began when I started running in boots, and now three years later I still have hard lumps all the way down both shins and pain whenever I run more than a few times a week (regardless of distance). I make sure I stretch off, wear decent running shoes etc. but nothing has helped.

The brain is willing but the body wont keep up! Would it be best to go private and see a decent specialist rather than let sickbay give me yet more brufen? also is there some kind of support availible that might help, seems to be one for every other body part!

[Doc]

Sickbay/Brufen tut tut never heard such nonsense!!

Several types of shin splints

1) bone splinters away

2) Muscle expands with exercise but the muscle sheath doesnt causing pressure and pain!

to name the two main types

from your words above Val Id say you fit into the second section but as I aint admired your legs its only a guess!

See MO get referred and get treated proper, Medics at Yeovil wont see many phys injuries get your bottom over to Norton Manor and let a booty medic have a look at you, actually on second thoughts see your MO!

[Valkryja]

Thanks Doc, you can admire my legs anyday (in the name of medicine of course!). Will pester the MO, probably end up with more brufen to add to my collection.

[Cliodna]

Just caught up on this thread...
Valk,
if (as Doc suggests) you fall into the second category of shinsplints, its best you get it seen to sharpish.
This variation can develop into summat a lot more serious called Compartment Syndrome.
If it develops into that, the only option is to go for an Op on your legs.
(Slice down the outside or inside of your shinbone, dependant on which part of your calf is affected, and then a load of jiggery pokery with the muscles sheath on the inside...not nice, very sore...but the plus side is you get loads of time off to re-cooperate )
There is NO guarentee that the operation will work though.
I'd go and get decent medical advice soonest, and if the doc gives you any shyte about its not this that or the other demand a second opinon.
Its your legs, not the docs, and you will be stuck with them long after he's gone onto his next draft.

[BlackBox]

A bit of personal experience for you - I was medically discharged in 93 due to shin splints, stupidly thought that what my instructors told me was the right thing (keep going, it'll go away!). There is an Op for shin splints, as previously stated. The Army wouldn't perform the Op on me as my condition was quite bad, and also for another reason - the Op, unfortunately, has only a reasonable chance of success. I had the Op done via the NHS in 95, and subsequently re-enlisted in 00, so I am one of the lucky few - the Op has left me with 3 small scars down the inside of both shins, and a permanent sensation of pins and needles down the inside of my shins as well...! Trust me, if you begin to suffer from shin splints, STOP - carry out R.I.C.E, see a Doc, and look at getting a Physio referall if it's bad. Obviously, this condition involves rest, so best to get it properly treated and then begin to escalate your fitness trg for enlistment. Otherwise you could end up taking the path I did - not worth it. At least try and run on grass in good running shoes, if you are prone to this condition, this will allow you to maintain your fitness and strengthen you legs. Sorry if I have repeated advice already given, but I do have strong views on this!

[themattmeister]

See a pediatrist. They will examine your running technique and trainers and sort it out for you, they will also check you for compartment syndrome.

[pegasus]

My son suffered from shin splints which resulted in two stress fractures during the last four weeks of his IT, he didn`t tell anyone and some of the instructors thought he was lazy, the moral is let somebody know.
Unfortunately on his first day after being posted on his battalion he was returned to camp after 2 days on an 11 day ex, the night he returned he was dragged out of bed at 01:30 by a coward in a mask and punched about the face and his bed was broken- thier reason ? they thought his faking it, and "what were f****King shin splints anyway?"

[goldie ex rmp]

Try rowing mate, i had them bad a while ago and found that rowing helped maintain my fitness prior to running the Rome marathon.

[bird]

I have shin splints in my right leg badly ive rested about 4-5 MONTHS but kept training(swimming ect), it went away about 3 weeks ago(even hurt when i walked) ive started running 3-4 times a week 1.5 miles on grass and it came back.
Running up and down a swimming pool helps but it always come back when i run no matter how much i've tryed to strengthen it.

P.S my brother has had it for 2 years with no change and he does no running.

I've tryed everything from physio to X-Rays. and I've got an MRI in august but even then it isn't a cure.

I'll try anything any advice....?

Cheers in advance Matt.

[bird]

Guess not, haha