is it shin splints?

[shews]

Hi,

I've been running for years and currently I run 45-55 miles a week and am training for a marathon in November. Very early on in yesterday's run, I felt a pain on the inside of my lower left leg, a few inches above the ankle. It felt like a muscle pain to me, but I can't say for sure. I continued running, but certainly didn't run the full workout. I then iced and stretched yesterday evening. I didn't run today.

I had shin splints in this area of my left leg about a year ago, and subsequently took about a month off of running until there was no more pain. I haven't had any issues until yesterday. The pain is dull and not unbearable, but I don't want to make it worse. And it wasn't a gradual pain; yesterday was the first time I noticed anything.

Unlike last year's shin splints, this pain appears to be a little more on the side of my leg and not necessarily on my shin. Also, when I ran with shin splints, the pain would subside early on in the run. This didn't happen yesterday -- the pain didn't go away -- and I can feel a little pain even when I walk.

I've also noticed that both of my lower legs generally seem to be swollen -- especially when sitting.

Do I have shin splints again? What can I do to get rid of this pain? I really don't want to take too much time off.

Thanks.

[Heidi]

Hi,

I think you should get it checked out, especially given you have a marathon coming up.

Shin splints itself is a bit of a blanket term covering pain at the front, inside of the shin. So it may be associated with the muscles there. It may also be something else.....stress fracture / nerve entrapment.

The best way to get back to running asap is to get a physio or sports therapist to have a look at it and get some treament depending on their findings. You are right to have rested and iced it for now.

Good luck!