I am a runner with what seems to be chronic shin splints for the past year and a half. Help!!?

Question

I have been everywhere and talked to everyone to help with this problem. I have changed my shoes, slowed my stride, rested for 4 months, ran on softer ground, got good arch supports, tried taping, I even saw a sports medicine doctor who did x-rays and then advised me to see a Physical Therapist. I saw the PT religiously for about 6-8 weeks, which made the pain go away, but then I started running again. So, then I saw someone that makes orthopedics, she studied my stride and said that my arch is very flexible without very much muscle. She showed me some arch exercises which haven’t seem to help much. Currently, I can’t run 2 min/walk 1 minute for 30 minutes at 5.0 mph without searing pain. Ice and ibuprofen seems to help, but doesn’t cure what is causing this ongoing problem. I’m starting to wonder if I have a problem that requires more invasive measures. Can anyone help?

Answer 1

According to the Mayo Clinic website, the only thing I found that you have not tried is swimming (water walking, aerobics, etc.). Maybe if you took a year off from pounding your shins they would heal and strengthening your shins with exercise during this time.

Lessen the impact:

Cross-train with a sport that places less impact on your shins, such as swimming, walking or biking. Remember to start new activities slowly. Increase time and intensity gradually.

Add strength training to your workout:

To strengthen your shins, try toe raises. Stand up. Slowly rise up on your toes, then slowly lower your heels to the floor. Repeat 10 times. When this becomes easy, do the exercise holding progressively heavier weights. Leg presses and other exercises for your lower legs can be helpful, too.
It's also important to know when to rest. At the first sign of shin pain, take a break.

P.S. Have you ever tried running on tread mills. Mine has the shock absorber that reduced 33% of the shock?

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 2

first of: DON'T RUN WITH SHIN SPLINTS. sorry for yelling however I needed to. I'm a runner myself and I've heard the worst experiences approximately jogging. First off, you ought to recognize that shin splints occur on the grounds that you are not stretching. First get better, then stretch approximately half-hour earlier than you run. I've in no way had shin splints way to my teach yelling at me to stretch nonetheless I've gotten a knee quandary from going from lengthy distance to brief distance jogging. Do now not run via the suffering, shin splints occur whilst the muscle form of detaches from the bone, hurts and isn't well for the frame. So no you can't, if you happen to wish hints to make a you a bigger runner for the following time you run, you'll ask any time. one million. Stretch two. Start sluggish three. constantly quiet down, does not make you think sore and it makes you seem extra official. :) Hope this helped and desire you get better speedy. Stretch! Ice is helping, however its just a transitority repair. Ice baths significantly suck do not do it except you need to. Shin splint suffering is going away in ice bathtub