For the last 4 months or so, whenever I exercise the muscles on my shin (tibialis anterior) get really sore & it sometimes puts a strain on my calfs. The pain eases with exercise, but gets worse when I rest - it really feels like the muscle is being over stretched, sometimes my calf feels like it wants to burst out. The pain is in both legs & hasn't been caused by a strain (it's recurring). Is it shin splints/compartment syndrome?
Although I exercise loads, I'm no expert, so I don't want to go rushing to the doc. So far all of my massage & sports buddies have been very vague.
RE: Shin Splints
From the info given it could be either & there are a couple of other possibilities. Your GP may be equally vague, but may refer you to a physio, othopod & some areas have osteopathy on the NHS nowadays. Waiting lists vary & also depend on whether you are referred as being 'acute' (recent onset & referral may only be a matter of a few weeks) or 'chronic' (has been on going for 6 weeks or more & takes a lot longer - 9 months in this area).
Acute is often mistakenly taken to mean severe - it isn't, but the more painful that you describe it is more likely to get you an acute refferal.
I would recommend an osteopath, but then that's because I'm biased. If you,ve no freinds, family or GP that'll recommend one, then you should be able to find one in your local in Yellow Pages in the GOsC (our governing body, that we are legally to be members of) box.
Second choice would be a 5 Element or TCM Acupuncturist.
Good luck! 😉
PS - Do stretch the local muscles, but don't overdo it - maybe a tendonitis. Alternating hot & cold applied regularly will help reduce the inflammation, as will a caspicum based cream, such as, Deep Heat - especially before bed.
PPS - It feels worse on rest because the lack of movement allows the inflammation to build up in the area - it's the nature of pretty much all inflammatory conditions.
RE: Shin Splints
Your symptoms are consistent with shin splints (which usually affects the tibialis anterior). Rest, ice, massage (self or professional), and gentle stretching should help.
RE: Shin Splints
Thanks... I finally dragged myself to the doctor, who is sending me for an x-ray. What a pain! I thought exercise was supposed to be good for you.
RE: Shin Splints
Exercise generally is, you may just to ease back for a while. There may also be things that you can do such as swimming.
When you say exercise loads - are you sure you weren't over doing it?
An X-ray is likley to come back NAD (nothing abnormal detected), as it would only show boney problems & if there's been no physical trauma it's very unlikely.
It would clear you of a few rare nasties but other than that, not much use.
I may be shooting my self in the foot or even leg, as the case may be, because you may have the results by now, but it's not gonna stop me digging a deeper hole. [&:]
X-rays are cheap & cheerful & every hospital has a machine. It's well known that a huge number of films are taken largely becasue doc feels better for doing something & patient feels better because something is being done. It also buys sometime in the hope that things might settle. [:o]
Unless your GP has done further study in musculo-skeletal or sports medicine, then they're probably not best placed to make a diagnosis of the problem. Hopefully they will have the mind to refer you for physio or osteopathy (if you're in an area that provides it on NHS).
A subtle suggestion in that direction may help. Failing that you may have to pay for the latter unless you have health insurance. [:o]