I'm on my school's track team and I've had shin splints for about a month or a month and a half and I've been icing them a lot and putting bengay, so they've been feeling better (does bengay really help???) but now my left ankle hurts more but my right legs better and im still limping when i try running or go down the stairs. should i keep running? my parents want me to go to a doctor if it continues but i dont know if i really need a doctor. i really want to run because ive sat out practice icing for two weeks but i dont want to hurt myself more!
2007-04-10 16:42:32 · 4 answers · asked by asdf 3 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
Sounds like you got yourself a problem. 1stt let me say, i'm not a doctor but I'm speaking from experience. I'm in the same situation. I love jogging and trail running but recently twisted both my ankles, developed jumper's knee, and have the beginning of shin splints. Yet I just ran thru the pain. Here's some advise I've learned the hard way (still suffering everyday from a swollen ankle and a knee cap that keeps popping out of place). Pain is your body's way of saying you are doing damage. Thus your body is begging you to STOP running to allow your body to heal. I know this sux but the more you run on an injury the worse your recovery time will be.
Ice the injury when it is swollen. Heat is used after the swelling has healed to increase the circulation/healing time. I recommend seeing a chiropracter. Mine reailgns my knee cap and ankles. One reason your left ankle is worse cuz it might be your dominate leg or you haver over compensated for the right leg by putting more pressure on your left, causing more stress.
You don't want to completely immobilize your ankle or the muscles will become weak. Exercise it by spelling the alphabet in capital and lower case letters three times a day. Make sure you only rotate the ankle and toes not your leg.
There is a taping method for shin splints that adds support to the ligaments. If they get worse you chance tearing the ligaments so much that you cause stress fractures on you shins.
This hurts me to say but listen to your parents (at least this once). See a chiropracter or sports medicine doctor. I'm 28 and I've known many people who have damaged themselves in high school track by ignoring pain thinking they can tough it out. Now they can't jog because they've destroyed the cartilage in their knees.
Oh, you might wanna check out orthopedic insoles for your track shoes. I have high arches and over-pronate (more pressure when i walk on the inside of my feet). Not having the correct arch support or cushioning can cause these problems. Go to a good athletic shoe store (ex. Fleetfeet.com) who will watch you run and fit you with the correct pair of shoes. Btw you don't have to by their expensive shoes but they will just give you the knowledge so you know what to look for in the bargin stores. This wil hopefully prevent future injures.
Good luck, remember to keep icing and resting that leg. There will be other track meets but you don't wanna end up groaning in pain upon standing (cuz your knees are shot) when your in your twenties.
2007-04-10 17:39:07 · answer #1 · answered by Michelly7 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you need a doctor or you will do what you dont want to do- get hurt worse.
You definitely have shin splints.
Do you run track?? A lot of problems arise with track runners do to increased pressure on that outside leg.
Make sure that you have the correct shoes to absorb shock and force from the ground. Visit a SPECIALTY SHOE STORE( do not go to a footlocker or something like that). The specialty store should be able to evaluate the condition of your feet to be sure you're in the right shoe.
Good Luck
2007-04-10 17:09:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
when your shins start to hurt from running it is usually from shin splints. It usually occurs when you start running on new surfaces. Ex: if you are use to running in a gym from basketball or volleyball then track comes and you run on the track or the street that can cause shin splints. Also if you have a bad arch it can cause some pain. if so i would suggest some arch supports, it could also be the shoes if they are worn out.
2016-05-17 07:33:25 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There may be medical help for your problem. Do see a Doctor for help.
2007-04-16 20:05:07 · answer #4 · answered by Jan C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋