Shin Splints - who gets them?

[suited]

I have been suffering from this for quite some time, a good 10 years. It's annoying, and it prevents me from running on a consistent basis, or jumping rope - both of which I enjoy on some level.

It is consistent and chronic. If I run 800M, I'll have to wait at least 8-10 days before running again, otherwise I'll experience pain. Just a short run (half of a mile) will cause it to flare up. Forget about running any distances over a few 400M intervals, I'd barely be able to walk the next day. They last for a long time, and there doesn't seem to be anything I can do to prevent it (other than not running). I have tried every type of shoe out there, I've tried jumping rope on every type of surface - no luck.

Is it possible for this to be an issue that's caused by my body composition (for reasons unexplainable) and is just simply not fixable?

 

[Mandrake9072]

Aside from experimenting with different shoes, have you tried changing up your strides when running?

Also, I don't know too much about barefoot running, but I believe some have mentioned that they found relief from shin splints after switching...

 

[ANIKETOS]

I used to get them when i played soccer. I started taking a mild pain killer half an hour before playing and warmed up my leg muscles more. It worked 99% of the time.

 

[stjoad]



I used to get them when i played soccer. I started taking a mild pain killer half an hour before playing and warmed up my leg muscles more. It worked 99% of the time.

Soccer here too. Last summer I ran 3-4km a few times per week with no pain. This summer I played in 2 soccer leagues, and if I have 2-3 consecutive nights of play, the pain is devastating. It goes away fairly quickly, but hurts like a mofo. It usually started flaring up when I played at a specific field that was known for having dry and hard soil.

 

[suited]

I've heard about changing up your strides, but I don't think it's the way I'm landing on my feet. I have really flat feet, could that play a role here?

 

[Master-Classter]

hard to explain the pose....

try kneeling pose, then lean back and 'sit' on your ankles and push your feet flat. so start on all fours, then lay your feet flat, with bottoms facing up, and sit back onto your heels so as to press down on your feet and legs and stretch out the shin muscle/tendon or whatever. I find doing this when I wake up or before/after exercise helps stretch it out.

 

[suited]

I've purchased some orthotics based on the recommendation from a podiatrist. I believe that my flat feet are causing the problem. I was advised to slowly introduce the orthotics to my feet for a week, then I can run in them. They are feeling good so far, and are not as harsh as the new balance running shoes I had tried with the arch support. My problem before was that I wore the NB shoes for a few hours the first day, and they hurt my feet. These orthotics have a bit of give to them, where the plastic insert in the NB shoes did not. Hopefully this solves my problem.

 

[yayorc]

Shin problems can also result from tight calves. Try a long warm up and do some foam rolling.

 

[OakCreekHitter]

shin splits occur when one is not used to exercising or if one has not worked out in a long time.
bottomline....you need to get into shape.

its saddening to hear but its the trurh

 

[Lagrangian]

idk though, a lot of dudes got them while I was in the military and we were running all the time. Some were in pretty awesome shape and still got them.

 

[ANIKETOS]

I DONT agree with that too. It might be one reason u get them but it definitely doesn't fit the whole picture. I play soccer at least once a week,many times twice for several years,maybe 7,and I still get them. For some reason i never got them if i played squash which is weird.

 

[suited]



shin splits occur when one is not used to exercising or if one has not worked out in a long time.
bottomline....you need to get into shape.

its saddening to hear but its the trurh

I've been training consistently for the last 12 years.