I have this pain

[shnikes17]

in my legs near my ankles, but I'm not sure if it's shin splints or not. It's on the lower inside of my legs kind of right above my ankles. It's not directly on my shins but to the inside of them. It hurts basically all the time, whether I'm doing step, walking, or anything else (except biking). I read the post on shin splints a couple of weeks ago, and I've been putting ice on them and taking ibuprofen, but the pain is always there. Does anyone have any ideas? Could it be tendonitis? Thanks

Emily

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi Emily!

Of course without being a doctor I can't tell you for sure if that pain that is radiating down in the inside of your ankles is indeed shin splints----but it sure sounds like it. I am very familiar with this pain. If I'm not mistaken its sort of a dull ache that stays with you no matter what activity you do. Also when you press on it, it feels like a bruise thats on its way in or out.

If this is the pain that you have, then its usually a result of one or more of the following: 1) doing too much too soon, 2) a sudden change of activity, 3) a sudden change in floor surface, 4) a muscular imbalance 5) or either wearing a worn out shoe or a shoe that is inappropriate for the selected activity.

I recommend that you take a couple of days off(while you continue with ice, stretch, and ibuprofen)and then come back into the activity slowly, at half the intensity, and do it every other day. Slowly work your way back to your current level. Also, from here on out be sure that you do additional exercises for your calves to balance out a potential muscular imbalance between your tibialis anterior muscle(shin)and calf muscle(opposing muscle group). Good Luck!

 

[shnikes17]

Thanks Cathe

This problem has been going on for years, no matter what I do. I've been doing step forever, and I buy the best shoes I can find for step, and I even have orthotics. I think because I have nearly flat feet, I will just always have to deal with this pain. The only thing that helps is to quit all high impact for weeks, but if I do that, I don't get a good workout. I can't do spin everyday. I'm just going to keep applying ice and stretching,and see if that helps. Thanks for responding.

Emily