If you are a runner you are probably familiar with the shooting pain that can sometimes frequent the shin area, commonly known as a shin splint. Most long time runners have experienced this pain at least once in their lives, usually after a transition from a treadmill to the great outdoors. But, could this shooting pain be caused by a more severe injury such as a stress fracture? Read more to find out how to tell the difference between a shin splint and a stress fracture.
Type of Injury
Stress fractures and shin splints are both categorized as overuse injuries. Shin splints are caused by small tears in the tendon that attaches the lower leg muscle to the shin bone. When this happens you will feel an aching, shooting pain on your lower leg in the front. This pain will stop, or not hurt as much, when you stop running. If you are experiencing a shin splint, activities such as walking, stretching, or climbing stairs will not cause pain.
Stress fractures are when either bones of your lower leg have actual cracks or breaks in them. The pain from this injury typically occurs in the lower third of your shin. You may also experience tenderness and swelling of the area, as well as pain when you apply pressure to the site. The resulting pain of this injury will not go away when you stop running, or participate in other activities such as jumping or climbing stairs.
How to Identify
The easiest way to tell the difference between these two overuse injuries are whether or not the pain stops when you stop an activity. If the pain stops, you are experiencing a shin splint. If the pain does not stop, you are experiencing a stress fracture.
Now that you know this, the question becomes, what do you do about your injury?
If the pain you are having is a shin splint the best approach is to make gradual changes in your exercise routine. If you have recently switched the surface that you run on, jog for shorter distances until your body becomes accustomed to the new terrain. Add sprint intervals into your normal routine to increase your pace, instead of completing the entire run at a faster speed. Use the ten percent rule to increase your mileage. Do gentle stretching and toe lifts while remaining focused on the limits of your shins.
Treatment
Severe injuries like a stress fracture require the attention of your doctor. Typically you will receive an x-ray to ensure that it is a stress fracture that you are experiencing. Most of the time, this injury will require you to stop running for six to eight weeks in order for the area to heal properly. Weight training, deep water running, swimming, walking, and other low impact exercises are usually okay. Make sure to ask your doctor about these options. When the injury heals you will be able to work out again, but remember to gradually increase your routine again in order to avoid any more injuries.
Taking proper care of our bodies allows them to run at their very best.