Deep pain in inner thigh- stress fracture???

[Hedele1]

About 3-4weeks ago I first noticed a pain in my lower inner thigh of my right leg after a 10k run, it was dull pain and quite mild so I thought my muscles had been overworked and tired. However, a few days later I was sitting on a chair at work (which was high) and allowed my legs to dangle bearing all the weight and it was then I felt the sharp, shooting pain in the same area as I had felt a few days earlier and the pain was very discomforting especially when moving the leg back and forth. Although I could feel the pain I couldnt specifically localise it, the pain felt like it was coming deep within the thigh, like it was between the muscles, and stretching and self massage of the muscles didnt seem to alleviate the pain.

On my next run I could definately feel the pain, although it wasnt too severe, the pain did get worse after exercise. The following morning I felt the pain but it was very mild and only hurt when I walked down some stairs and when sitting with the thigh bearing the weight of my leg.

Because I didnt have any pain when walking, I carried on exercising. However, on my last run (fortnight ago) the pain felt more intense and I had to stop and I havent done any running since. I do still attend 2 aerobics classes a week, spinning and boxercise. I dont not feel any pain in the thigh when doing these exercises (maybe slighlty sore during aerobics but v.mild). However, after exercise I do notice that sharp pain and recently it has been cramping during the night. Walking down the stairs and sitting still causes me discomfort and seems to be getting worse. The pain seems to be spreading down from deep in the inner thigh to just above the knee but my quads do not hurt, it feels like the pain is coming from behind the muscles??

I am a 25yr old female and I have been exercising regularly for 10years and run about 25k per week (before injury) aswell as aerobics etc. Although, I exercise regularly I have had many rest periods due to excrutiating shin splints so I had a 6 week break before resuming exercise about 2 months ago and a month before I felt this pain. To add the shin splints have flared back up (both legs) and are becoming increasingly worse and very uncomfortable- inflammed and pain when sleeping also. Does this have anything to do with the pain in my thigh? and could I possibly have a stress fracture?

Hope u can help.

[Heidi]

Hi

I would suggest that you get this thoroughly checked out by a sports injury professional and preferably one who specialises in running injuries.
As you can do other forms of exercises more or less pain free I expect that the injuries are due to the impact of running.
As you have previously suffered shin splints, I would recommend a full biomechanical and gait assessment to highlight what may be causing the problems.
A stress fracture is a definate possibility that needs to be ruled out. Do you know if you are an overpronator, neutral or oversupinated runner?
Have you had professioanl treatment on the shin splints before?

[Hedele1]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. Regarding the shin splints.....A few months back I had gait analysis done in a specialist running shop and the results were that I slightly over-supinated so I purchased some training shoes that they recommended to me, however, despite changing my footwear there is still no improvement on the shin pain. I didnt have analysis of whole body mechanics just my leg stride/impact. I have seen a physio about my shin splints where I had ultrasound treatment, but that didnt seem to help either and he just recommended that I rested from exercise, which I did, but when I returned to exercise the pain came back after a few weeks.

[Heidi]

Ok. With the shin splints, treatment should have consisted of more than just ultrasound, which isn't proven to be that successful with shin splints. There should have been massage to the calf and shin muscles, as well as stretching and strengthening exercises prescribed. Have a look here:
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/lowerleg/shinsplints.htm
As for the possible stress fracture, you will only know for certain by getting an x-ray. Visit your Doctor to request one. The fact that you oversupinate does increase your chances of suffering stress fractures.