It’s all about Andy’s Shin… but the Guru needs more information

Hi Guru,

Cant shift the pain in my shin, been 5 weeks now!!

Played football up to two weeks ago and had 2 weeks complete rest bar swimming…reckon this could be
anything more serious?

Pain goes completely with anti inflammotories…..

The Guru needs more info:

Humm…questions

• Is it shin bone pain or muscle pain?
• Is it site when poked or when you move your ankle?
• Is it sore at night or first thing in the morning when you take weight on to it?
• Are you doing anything else eg hill running?

…..and answers please!

Andy responds:

Bone pain, when I poke it.
Same pain most of the time (only a 1 or 2 out of 10 when walking)
Stopped running completely as I am making it worse!

X ray was clear….

Thanks Andy

I think it sounds like a bone stress reaction – the surface of your tibia (shin) is swelling slightly due to the repetitive load being put through it – that’s why the anti inflames help.

Bone reactions can take a notoriously long time to settle – think 4/6 weeks.

If you don’t give them enough rest they can progress to stress fractures, but I don’t think you’re anywhere near there yet.

More rest time please!

Regarding X-ray:

X-ray can’t detect subtle change at the bone surface.

MRI may show some bruising/swelling in the marrow and not possibly the surface.

A nuclear bone scan would probably show some local hot spots indicating the stress reaction.

All good.
The Guru

Six Physio