lower leg ankle pain

[michigan man]

i have a 21 year old daughter traveling the us,with drum bugle corp.she is having shin splint pain with swelling both legs.her problem is they compete or train for hours per day.If she cant continue they send her home.

local docter said motrin,ice,and compression socks.she even has a few broken veins in her feet.she has a month left on tour before world finals.what can she do when she cant rest these legs with out being dropped from the corps.her legs have been swelling to her knees at times.docter said shin splints.any help will be apreciated.

[Heidi]

Wow, ok.

The best she can do is to ice as often as possible , as much as 15 minutes every 3 hours if possible. Also take anti-inflammatories. Continue with the compression socks, they may help.

Is there any way she can get some light massage to the legs to reduce the swelling? Also stretching the calf mucles may help:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/stretching/allstretches.php

Other then that, shin splints is often caused at least in part by faulty foot biomechanics. Does she have flat feet? or a very high arch?

Have a look here for more info:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/general/pronate.htm

If she has either of these problems then some insoles in her shoes. This will either a) help support her foot position if she has overpronated (flat) feet
or b) provide some additional shock absorbtion if she has over-supinated (high arch) feet.

I hope this helps