Thread: Shin Splints

I've got similar issues - I ran track in Jr High and, being that we were in N. Minnesota, the first 2 months of track season involved running in the halls of the school because there was still 5' of snow on the ground. Then half the team would be out by the team track meets started because of shin splints. Needless to say, 3 yrs of track season, and 30 yrs later I am still crippled if I try to run on a hard surface, even something as simple as running in heels across a parking lot. My solution - I don't run. I used to be able to do it on dirt or treadmill, but now w/ crappy knees, I don't really bother. I do a lot of steady-state walking cardio. Recently I started kickboxing / boxing conditioning classes and they do a lot of side stepping which I have a problem with. I wear knee sleeves for the classes and replace the side stepping w/ a jog or cross-overs.

Here's some info on shin splints:

Shin Splints and Shin Splints Treatment

Thanks Sassy, not running could really screw my future plans as I can't go for police if I can't run. So I'll see if there's anything new in the site you gave me

i ran in high school and then tried again about a year ago and got shin splints very badly. i found, and took advice from a doctor, that i should find an alternative to running, as the splints were probably not going to get any better.

probably not the answer you wanted to hear, but if they are seriously putting you in agony, running is probably not for you.

Thanks dude, I know it's not the answer I wanted to hear but it's most likely the truth. May as well accept that then live in denial with false hopes.

Originally Posted by irontime

Thanks dude, I know it's not the answer I wanted to hear but it's most likely the truth. May as well accept that then live in denial with false hopes.

I cant run any more either bro but I find a nice bike does the trick. I know that dont help ya with the police thing but still a great way to get that cardio without all the joint impact

I usually use the eleptical and I can still mountain hike, it's the actual running that hurts. But I've found a place that states they can custom make shoe inserts to get rid of shin splints. It's a bit pricey but would be worth it. Has anybody tried something like this?

I used to get shin splints really bad, but I overcame them by taking things slow and keeping at it. Eventually they went away.

Originally Posted by eVoluti0n

I used to get shin splints really bad, but I overcame them by taking things slow and keeping at it. Eventually they went away.

I'll give it a shot, kind of my only option right now. Thanks man.

Originally Posted by irontime

I'll give it a shot, kind of my only option right now. Thanks man.

Sure thing bud.

It was depressing at first because I love to run and thought I'd never be able to do it again, but I was told myself to just take things slow and ease into it.

Only time I get shin splints now is if I haven't been running in a while, but it will go away after a day or so.

You did mention you're trying to get into running, that may be a temporary setback since you're not used to it. I would definitely give it time for your shins to adjust. The pain for me came after many years of not running and pushing myself too hard at first, so it was something I had to gradually introduce.

Give it time and I think you'll be fine.

Doing Toe raises/shin work helped me out alot.

let them heal

get some good running shoes

start with jogging/walking a short distance and slowly build from there. run in the park.. on grass or dirt trails.
my old x-country coach told us in 1970. " if i drop this bottle over the sidewalk what will happen?
now if i drop the same bottle over the grass what will happen?".
same way with your joints. they break down over the hard surfaces, and its ezier on them on the soft surfaces.
its very ez to leave your home and run down the street for a few miles, but if you want to stay injury free and you're just starting out, drive to a field or a park and run there..save your shins, knees and joints.
slowly incorporate a bit of running on blactop after you have built up to a few miles on the grass and trails, as most all races are on the roads.
an expensive pair of shoes, or an expensive knee operation.
you choose.
shin splints always occure when you start out.. go at it slowly. its the front shin muscle banging into the bone.. thats the pain.
shave your lower leg and tape the shin starting from the acchilies tendon going upwards to the knee . this keeps the muscle from banging into the bone..
best solution is to strengthen the shin muscles my walking on your heels pointing the toes up. make it burn...
run on soft surfaces first.. and go at it slowly...
you may get them , but they will go away.
running is a beautiful, but hard sport..
stick with it..
i had them at first, then i almost broke the american record in the mile...
dont give up.

Thanks for the wrap up advice and the entire post, I'll try to find some sort of elastic bandage instead of taping and see if that helps. If it does great, if not then I'll try taping.