Apr 29th, 2015
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
…..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….
Apr 29th, 2015
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