Hi, I am asking for advice to see if my symptons are those of the dreaded shin splints.  Did my first HM on Sunday 13 with no problems but when out walking the dogs on Wednesday started with what felt like a sore front  of ankle as if my walking boots were too tight and bruising and this then radiated to pain in the bottom part of my front shin.  Finished the walk but found that although at times the discomfort would go completely at others it would spasm and literally stop me in my tracks with the pain going up the outer side of my leg.  Icing and ibruprofen help with the problems but do not know if to rest completely or if safe to carry on with shorter runs if pain does not increase.  I am due to do 10k on 10th April  and was hoping to use this period to try and increase pace slightly.  Any advice gratefully received.

Hi Mary

I am doing a build-up to a Marathon in May; did my first half-marathon training run (fairly slow) about 2 weeks ago.  Run went well, but I had a similar reaction: sore anterior tibial muscle (front, inside shin down the side) mainly on one leg.  Hadn't disappeared in a couple of weeks and like you thought it might be splints.  Paid £45 to see a Physiotherapist, which is what I'd advise you to do if you can.  In my case, it wasnt shin splints, it was IlioTibial Band tightness (band of muscle fibre runs from hip to knee down outside thigh).  She's given me 4 exercises to do after running to help ease the tension in the ITB, which should have a knock-on effect on the shins...  Been doing exercises for a week now: still hurts but I think it will take a few weeks.  have managed to keep with routine though, rather than having to stop unnecessarily, which has been a big mental boost.  Competitive half marathon (Liverpool) on Sunday, so will see how it goes....   Best of luck, but get professional advice!!

Hi Mary

I've also had a similar problem over the past couple of weeks - in my case it started as a tightness/tenderness on top of my foot which then became more apparent either side of my lower shinbone - tenderness and swelling rather than actual pain. It first appeared at the end of a ten mile relatively easy run but I had no trace of it after a fastish half marathon the week before. I have given it two weeks rest and started running again a few days ago. It is still there, have seen sports physio twice and doctor and the next step is a vascular investigation as the swelling may indicate poor blood drainage in my case. It comes and goes - sometimes seems to have gone away, sometimes my leg is a swollen even after a few hours of sitting at a desk - it seems to benefit from a bit of movement. Lying upside down helps! - but I don't know if you are getting swelling or just pain.

As David says get a professional opinion, shin splints (if it is that) is a very general term it seems and it is the specific cause of your injury that is probably key. Getting your gait checked looks like a good idea as I gather muscular imbalances can be a factor. I have recommended shoes and orthotic insoles etc. but I tried running a couple of miles on the treadmill without shoes - no foot/shin pain at all but I paid in tight calves and blisters! Keeping my socks on was a mistake apparently.

Good luck, keep us posted on progress & I'll do the same.

I've been getting good results from using lots of foam roller plus self massage on the calves and either side of the shinbone - I've been reading up about Myofascial release. I've done 30 miles pain free this last week after being unable to run much at all a few weeks ago.