Shin Splints or Something Else?

[tkdChick]

Hi all, I am looking to get some opinions on some odd shin pain. I did a Tae Kwon Do class on Saturday (no injuries ) and after class my lower leg ached a bit but felt better pretty quickly. On Sunday it was downright painful and like a sharp stabbing pain especially when going down stairs or putting weight on my leg. After a week of rest the pain has pretty much gone away except for a spot about a hand down from my knee where it is tender alongside the outside of my shin bone. Jumping on it seems to make it flare up a little.

I had an X-Ray and it was negative for fractures but I know stress fractures don't always show up on an XRay. Any thoughts on what this might be would be apprciated!

Katie

[Heidi]

Hi Katie,

This doesn't sound like shin splints to me. This usually comes on gradually over a period of time and will be worse whilst you are running or jumping etc, and will ease with rest. It doesn't usually hurt more the next day.

I think a stress fracture sounds more likely and you are right to think that this doesn't always show up on early x-rays. For that reason, I think I would treat it as if it is a stress fracture, just in case. There is some info about treatment on this page:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/lowerleg/stressfracture.htm

[ben232]

Hi

Agree with above. The other cause of anterior pain in lower leg, in atheletes, is tibialis anterior tendonitis. Not common and for this reason often missed.
If it doesn't settle consider MR scan.

Ben
http://www.mobilediagnostics.info