Shin Splints

[montage]

Oh and I replace my trainers every 6 months (which is annoying, luckily I know the girl who sells me the shoes well enough to get a discount) and have a neutral shoe - i.e. one that does not correct any pronation. I have a custom made insole from a specialist to do the correcting.

And good point by andygates regarding tarmac, attempt to keep clear! Oh and with stretching and cycling.... ensure you stretch those calfs out after, especially if you do running aswell. Because cycling and running try and build the calf in different ways, if you do not stretch you may find yourself cramping badly while running - I can speak with personaly experience with this one aswell, having suffered cramps recently while long distance running, whereas I was fine before I began cycling.

 

[ShinSplint]

Thanks all, particularly Montage for all your help.

After a fair bti of research, a few months ago I came across Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (example http://www.physioroom.com/injuries/calf_and_shin/shin_splints_full.php )

This is the exact area of my shin which is affected.

Montage, if this is what I have, and im fairly certain, is there any advice you could give for this specific syndrome??

Something else - Even when I havent exercised for weeks, quite often, throughout the day just by simply walking slowly (or even if im just sat down), I start to feel slight pain in the area. I was starting to get very concerned about this, given the fact I had not even exercised, but the more I think about it, im fairly convinced this is actually the area healing. From what you said above, I think I could be right.

However, a few days after a long bike ride, and I feel slight pain, im not sure whether this is healing time, or simply making the shin worse.

The pain im feeling recently is by no means intolerable. Its only a slight pain, which make sme think I should be fine getting back into cycling.

I guess, as you say, i'll keep easing back into it until I find the pain worsening.

 

[Gooch]

Some good posts Montage. Good drills!

I have suffered immensly with Shin splints or rather "MTSS" for quite a few years. About 15 to be precise. This is how I got into cycling in the first place.

I used to run for few weeks then the MTSS would start. I'd stop for a few weeks to let it heal and then start the process all over again. I even tried just confining my runs to the treadmill in the end. This helped, but the MTSS still came back after a while.

My advice to you Shinsplints is;

Go to see a good Sports Podiatrist and get it checked out properly. I did, and after it was confirmed that I definitely had MTSS the Podiatrist took a mould of my feet in Plaster of Paris and then sent it off to get me some lightweight carbon orthotic inserts made. After suffering with MTSS for the last 15 years I can now go road running with out the fear of it flaring up again within weeks. It's not a cheap option but it could well solve your problem. I paid about £250.00 all in for the initial consultation including foot moulds, The orthotics inserts and a post orthotic appointment 10 weeks after I started using them to see it they worked. Also any alterations to the orthotics were free.

I hope this helps.

 

[ShinSplint]

Hi Gooch,

Thanks for your help.

Slightly conecerning to hear it went on for so long.

£250 is a lot of money, but when I want to start running again, i'll definately be going down that route. A Sports Podiatrist seems the best option...

However, my plan is for a year or so i'll be biking only - do you think it would still be worth while me seeing a Sports Podiatrist now, or could I wait until I start running again??

Has your MTSS been a problem for cycling as well as running?

 

[Gooch]

Hi Shinsplints

My MTSS used to only flare up from running. If you're just going to be cycling only, then I wouldn't bother.

I researched my problem for quite a few years. Unfortunately the term "Shin Splints" is a bit vague and covers all manner of lower leg problems. I saw one Podiatrist who thought I had Compartment Syndrome. I saw a Physio who confirmed it was MTSS but though the best way to treat it was through massaging muscle knots in my calf muscles. This didn't really help at all. After 5 sessions of massage and no improvement I sacked that idea.

Eventually I found a Sports Podiatrist that solved my problem. If you do seek a Podiatrist just make sure that they are used to dealing with "Sports injuries".

I'm not sure where you are in the country but this is where I went for my treatment and it worked for me.

http://www.bwtphysio.co.uk/

 

[ShinSplint]

Cheers Gooch!

Funnily enough, I had a sports therapist treat my calf muscles last year, and he also did a similar agonising massage thing to my shin... although I did have a problem with built up scar tissue, this was nothing to do with my shin problem, but he was adamant it was.... he did solve me calf problems though at least.

I'll definately be seeing a Sports Podiatrist when I go back to running. I live up in North East. There's podiatrist near me, but whether he's dealt with sports injuries, I will have to enquire.

Thanks again for your help

Hi Shinsplints

My MTSS used to only flare up from running. If you're just going to be cycling only, then I wouldn't bother.

I researched my problem for quite a few years. Unfortunately the term "Shin Splints" is a bit vague and covers all manner of lower leg problems. I saw one Podiatrist who thought I had Compartment Syndrome. I saw a Physio who confirmed it was MTSS but though the best way to treat it was through massaging muscle knots in my calf muscles. This didn't really help at all. After 5 sessions of massage and no improvement I sacked that idea.

Eventually I found a Sports Podiatrist that solved my problem. If you do seek a Podiatrist just make sure that they are used to dealing with "Sports injuries".

I'm not sure where you are in the country but this is where I went for my treatment and it worked for me.

http://www.bwtphysio.co.uk/

 

[montage]

Shinsplint, I have very little knowledge about MTSS so best listen to somebody like gooch on that one. After my compartment syndrome I did have a brief period of different shin splint pain...which on research looks as if it could be MTSS though I am unsure, however I treated it the same as I did with the compartment syndrome and it was fine within the month.

I am sure you will make a speedy recovery, but definately best to check out a Podiatrist (need this be £250??... I got everything done for me on the NHS)

 

[jimboalee]

Good posts Montage.

Needs posts like those more often.

 

[montage]

Do I get a badge?

 

[ShinSplint]

Following Montage asking how im getting on with the 'splints, thought I would update y'all...

Thankfully its been fine since I started biking. In fact, I think the cycling has helped it! The sports therapist once told me to keep biking, but spin in a low gear (however, this was on the understanding that it was calf problems). At the time I didnt get away with it, but thats months ago. I'm pretty sure the cyclings helped this time round as it doesnt hurt at all now, occasionally the odd tingle but nothing concerning.

Since I borrowed my mates Bianchi (about 3 weeks), i've done about 100 miles (approx 2 rides a week), and im building up slowly.

3 of us are meeting up Sunday for a 2-3 hour sesh.

I've had some lower back pain while getting used to the road position, but I found some good exercises which seem to help. I'm hoping i'll just get used to it over time.

Just bought an old Giant racer, fitted slightly bigger tyres last night (25 instead of 23), otherwise im not sure how my back woulda coped sunday lol. Not sure how much difference the slightly bigger tyre will make, but thought it was worth a try, as my mates Bianchi with bigger tyres seems more comfy.


Thanks again for all your help. Hopefully I can up the mileage a fair bit soon

 

[Gooch]

Shinsplints. That's exactly why I took up cycling in the first place!