Subject: RE: Shin Splints II Sorry guys, but my professors in college would be disappointed if I didn't post. I'm a certified athletic trainer and RN, and I have to put my two cents in about "shin splints."
Namely, they don't exist as an injury. Not that I don't believe your legs don't hurt. But, it's a collective term for any number of injuries that affect the lower leg and foot. It could be a tendonitis, muscle strain, stress fracture (! ) etc etc etc. Overall, the best treatment is ice and rest and figure out what's causing your pain and then doing something to change it. Worn out shoes are a common offender, as well as overtraining and just bad mechanics (either by training or genetics -- flat feet for one ).
And, if nothing you're doing is helping even with rest and treatment, please get it checked out by a physician. It may take some investigative work to find out what's causing you problems, but minimizing the amount of time you're in pain and you need to take off from training will be well worth it.
Good luck! |