Stress Fractures

[Nit Lion]

Any one get a stress fracture in the shin(s)? and how long did it take to heal?

I have been trying to keep in shape because I suspect I am going to hear something soon from a Department I applied to. About a week ago, I start getting some pain in my shins. I played high school football and pretty familiar with shin splints (used to get them every summer, no big deal), but this is different and I fear it could be a stress fracture. I have a doctors appointment, but my wonderful insurance co. is going to make my see my general physician who will set me up to see a specialist and two weeks later I will have an answer. Chances are, it is either a Stress Fracture or very bad shin splints. We shall see.

[krj]

Nit Lion

Stress fractures are a result of excessive stress placed on a bone that causes the outer lining of the bone (the periosteum) to crack. The most common sites for a stress fracture are the lower one third of the medial tibia (longest of the two bones in your lower leg - one closest to the midline of your body) and the 3rd, 4th, 5th metatarsals of the foot.

The initial cracking is usually the first cause of pain - I had a stress fracture in my right foot about 10 years ago (worn out shoes/high impact activity). The pain was immediate. If the crack is small the pain will also be relatively small and may only hurt during periods of activity. As the injury progresses however, the pain will also begin to occur outside of your physical activity.

The definitive test for a stress fracture is a bone scan (although it doesn't sound like you will be getting one of those anytime soon).

The easiest way right now to try and figure out if you have shin splints or a stress fracture:

With medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints) the tenderness usually extends along a considerable VERTICAL distance of the tibia. With a stress fracture tenderness usually extends HORIZONTALLY across the front of the tibia.

Either way, you gotta stop whatever it is you're doing for a while (probably 4-6 weeks).

These are both impact injuries - so move to low impact activities until the injury has had time to heal (bike, swim, pool run, roller blade etc.). Whether it's shin splints or a stress fracture (and I can't emphasize this enough) the pain will not decrease until you take some time off to give the injury time to heal.

Once the injury has healed, the same advice that has been given out in previous threads:

1. change shoes every 300-500 miles
2. don't increase mileage more than 10% a week
3. run on surfaces with some "give" - tracks, trails, asphalt
4. stay away from banked roads, soft sand and grass
5. if you overpronate (foot rolls inwards) get motion control shoes
6. rest and ice at first signs of soreness
7. take one day a week off from exercise
8. cross train (different activities on different days)
9. stretch

Definately have your injury professionally evaluated at the first opportunity.

I hope you hear good news from a department SOON. Good luck.

[Beanstick]

I know all about shin splints being in the military. My first case was back in '98 after constant road marching and extremely long runs. My running shoes would wear out and I would not give into the idea that I needed to buy new shoes-well I payed for it. Your best bet is what KRJ stated. You MUST let them heal. There is no other way to get around it. I know plenty of guys who considered themselves to be hard core military-PT studs. Well these studs are the same ones now who are limping everywhere they go and can go on standing on their two feet for more than ten-twenty minutes at a time. Pretty sad. All because they refused to appear weak when it came to physical fitness.

I, on the other hand, babied my shins and after about two months, got better. It was about four months total,when I actually got back into my old routine.

The second time was last year, and did the same thing. I layed off the long runs and high impact exercises and since then have mixed up my routine with low impact exercising that deliver the same results. For example, instead of running three or four miles, I jump on a bike and go for 20 miles intead. The elliptical trainer is another good way to substitute running. Just an idea of what I have done.

[Nit Lion]

WOW Thanks krj and Beanstick for all the info.

What you described is exactly what I have and why I knew this wasn't the same thing as I had in the past. The pain is in a centralized area of the tibia (if that makes snese). I remember my old football shin splints felt like the entire length of the bone was sore. So what you said made sense.

I'll still go to see my doctor to get final answer, but I already stopped my outdoor running and now spending extra time at the gym instead riding the stationary bike so I am at least doing something for cardio work.

It also may be time to pick up a new pair of running shoes as well. I run in a couple different pairs, but one pair that I use sometimes is pretty well worn in and may have factored in this injury.

Again, thanks for all the help.