OT: Need help from people with medical or athletic training background
January 24th, 2011 at 6:17 PM ^
There are a lot of possible diagnoses.
1. As the other posters have noted - plantar fasciitis, simple over exertion, improper or ill fitting shoes, need for orthotic inserts, and maybe your age is checking up to you.
2. But if these simple basic approaches of anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen aka Motrin), rest, and icing (at the time) and gentle heat afterwords don't help, suggest getting it looked at.
Good luck and I hope you are feeling better soon
January 24th, 2011 at 6:24 PM ^
First question would be what your definition of shin is. Are we talking anterior/posterior or medial/lateral aspects of the shank. That'll confirm/eliminate some thoughts. Secondly, if I had to make a stab it you're getting some acute tendonitis/muscle strain from playing basketball. You say you have only been playing for a few weeks, what was your activity level before starting? If you were at a low level, it's probably being caused by the stress of the new activity and will subside as you continue doing it. Rest and ice it when it hurts, play when it doesn't and seem the structures will strength. In addition, as you responded to Magnus, your shoes sound old as hell and need to go. Even a guy who works at a shoe store* can watch you walk and recommend the right type of shoe. You can probably get them for less than $100.
*- I'm talking about a dedicated running shop, not DIcks.
For full disclosure I'm a senior majoring "movement science" (part exercise physiology/biomechanics/motor control) as a pre-med path.
January 24th, 2011 at 7:14 PM ^
Do tell me which muscles you are refering to that come from the lateral aspect of the tibia that can affect foot arch? Anterior tibialis muscle pain is different bc TA is a weak inverter/dorsiflexor not a plantarflexor and FHL is not likely the cause of his arch pain. Are you thinking about the peroneals? I'm curious what you're thinking ...
Also, you can purchase shoes, often timescheaper, at Dick or a big box store than a running store because the shoe companies (Brooks/Mizuno/Asics) have contracts with them as well. I'm all for supporting the little guy, but this person said he/she had no money, so that's important here.
Where you plan on going to med school?
January 24th, 2011 at 7:41 PM ^
Boom MGoRoasted.
On one hand, it's sad that we have to puff our chest on a message board. On the other hand, that is why I love mgoblog.
January 24th, 2011 at 9:42 PM ^
Do tell me you read his post.....
"While playing, my lower shins"
(emphasis my own- I was talking about his shins not feet) Last I checked, there's a lot of stuff on the lateral/medial aspects of the lower leg that can cause "shin pain". Yeah the classic example of shin splits is injury to the tib. anterior, but it pretty commonly occurs elsewhere. EDL, Peroneus all run close to there and can eccentric loading injury. Not to mention that injury to just about structure in the lower leg can surface as referred pain in the area. Loading injuries to the tibia can refer there as well.
Also, Joe Schmo working at Dicks sporting goods isn't going to know overpronation from drop foot gait. If the OP doesn't know what exactly he needs, he can do a lot more damage by getting the wrong shoe because some 16 year old thought it looked bitching. How do I know? I ran the bike counter at the local Dicks for a few years, and save a couple people, everyone there had no idea what they were talking about.
January 25th, 2011 at 8:09 PM ^
Not trying to attack you, but way to tokenize yourself about work and Dick's. I agree with your point that someone there may not know what's best for the person, but any Joe Schmo can also read about stability shoes and make an informed decision on their own. How many times do you go into a store and have the representative make the decision for you? I hope not too often.
Also, most muscle action in the leg does cause changes in the foot through its eccentric (or isometric, as in walking) muscle activity as the majority of leg muscles are extrinsic to the foot. Peroneal pain does not cause shin pain. Most people refer to it as ankle pain, at least from my years of clinical medicine and sugery in correction of peroneal spasms and lateral ankle instability. It is also much more common for posterior tibialis muscle to be called shin splits, because the foot functions much longer in plantarflexion from heel touch to midstance and through propulsion than does the dorsiflexors of the leg and foot. A great article was written on this and it is listed here:
Zajac, F. E., R. R. Neptune, et al. (2003). "Biomechanics and muscle coordination of human walking: part II: lessons from dynamical simulations and clinical implications." Gait Posture17(1): 1-17.
January 24th, 2011 at 6:25 PM ^
syndrome. The posterior tibialis muscle originates from the inner border of your tibia at the lower portion. Often people with flat feet or tendency towards pronation will get shin splints or posterior tibial stress syndrome. It sounds like you may have some posterior tibial tendonitis as well as the tendon runs all the way down just behing and below your medial malleolus (inner knob of your ankle). Less likely plantar fasciitis as that is typically the bottom of your heal out into the arch.
Stretching, anti inflammatories, activity modification and a medial wedge or arch support should help.
January 24th, 2011 at 6:25 PM ^
A little help from a PT here. Not sure if any of this is mentioned, I didnt want to read through all of the post.
The shins are probably just micro fractures in the tibia from repeated pounding on the court. This type of thing happens with prolonged time of play. The arches hurting sounds like it could be plantar fasciitis. This is a tightness of the fascia that extends from your heel to the balls of your feet and when it becomes tight it can be painful and rather debilitating; see Tim Duncan. What I think causes this is your style of running actually. Now it could be tough to change that depending on your age I suppose but inserts in your shoes could help this. I suggest seeing a PT on a "consult" basis or visit a local running store and they would be able to size you up and let you know where you need support and set you up with some inserts as well. I hope I was helpful and I hope you can get that fixed.
BTW, never use heat for an injury, always ice.
January 24th, 2011 at 7:15 PM ^
I hope I am not too late in responding but I have to agree with MGoGarbs. The rest, ice and ibuprofen (if you are not allergic to it) is the best advice I can give. The pain is killer so I know how you feel. Had it a few times.
January 25th, 2011 at 12:35 AM ^
Best thing I ever learned for shin splints...prevention is key. Sit down on a bench, stool, couch, whatever so that your butt is higher than your feet. Put your feet flat on the ground, raise your toes up as high as they can go and hold tight leaving the heel of your foot on the ground...hold...hold. You'll feel the muscles in your shin tightening, release letting your toes go back down to the floor...repeat this exercise for 3 sets of 12 reps every day forever...You won't get shin splints as long as you regularly do this simple little exercise.
Hope that helps, sorry if repeated, read through and hadn't seen it
As for your arch, your stride is probably messed up...when you run, your feet should be straight...not toe pointed out...common problem...also, shorten your stride...don't reach your feet too far out in front of you, use shorter stride and step more rather than a long stride