Pain up outside of leg (near shin) when running......

[Gaucho]

Hi guys,

Hopefully some of you can help.......

I usually play futsal, but have recently started playing outdoor soccer again after many years. The problem I get (and it usually happens with new shoes), is when I begin running, I have a pain up the outside of my leg about the same length as the shin. Its not at the front of the shin like normal shin splints, but on the outside. No idea what it is, but it forces me to stop running and have a break every couple of minutes which makes it hard to both train and play.

Do any of you have any idea what it could be or how to treat it? It feels like the muscle down the outside of my leg is just tightening up and the longer I run for, the tighter it gets.

Will have to see a physio about this when I get time, but maybe one of you guys can help in the meantime. I am going into one of those specialist running stores tomorrow night to ask if they have any sole inserts that could help.

Thanks

 

[nosmirk]

check out the position of your feet when you're running. your feet might be raised when your sole contacts the ground (toes lifted up), cause the shin muscle to be very tight.

it is also likely that the intensity and frequency of running is causing this. the muscle is not used to this change in the amount of youre exercising (same reason behind the cause of shin splints). you mentioned that you just started outdoor soccer again - definately more running than futsal.

give it a rest for a week or so. using a hot water bag on it might relieve some of the pain, but it should go away.

 

[Hockey Playa]

shin splints...its sounds like..i started getting these last summer...i think its becuase i added 10 pounds from the previous summer. It goes away once you start running more and more, and become more flexible. Stretch alot before and after

 

[Solarium]

Hi guys,

Hopefully some of you can help.......

I usually play futsal, but have recently started playing outdoor soccer again after many years. The problem I get (and it usually happens with new shoes), is when I begin running, I have a pain up the outside of my leg about the same length as the shin. Its not at the front of the shin like normal shin splints, but on the outside. No idea what it is, but it forces me to stop running and have a break every couple of minutes which makes it hard to both train and play.

Do any of you have any idea what it could be or how to treat it? It feels like the muscle down the outside of my leg is just tightening up and the longer I run for, the tighter it gets.

Will have to see a physio about this when I get time, but maybe one of you guys can help in the meantime. I am going into one of those specialist running stores tomorrow night to ask if they have any sole inserts that could help.

Thanks

The only muscles that's lateral (I'm assuming that's what you mean by "outside") of your leg on the level of your shin are your gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, aka your calf muscles. You could have what is called a Calf Strain. Check on google for more info.

 

[Gaucho]

check out the position of your feet when you're running. your feet might be raised when your sole contacts the ground (toes lifted up), cause the shin muscle to be very tight.

Thanks guys.

This part I am particularly interested in. So you are basically saying run on my toes more?

As for other comments, well I have been playing outdoor again now for about 3 months, and it wont go away. I even rested for a bit over a week, but it still hurts after a while of running again. I have also noticed, it happens worse with new shoes, and some shoes its just real bad with full stop. I bought a pair of the new Nike Mercurials (like $300) and it gives me the pain real bad! So I have even resorted to wearing my indoor shoes on the outdoor pitch, which means when its wet, I slide around sometimes (not good for passing or control of the ball). I just bought a new pair of outdoor shoes yesterday, and after like 5 minutes of training with them, the pain was back. I thought it might go if I changed shoes, but it didnt, just wasted money, which prompted me to post this thread. I also notice its worse on grass for some reason..........weird.

Going to a foot specialist shoes store soon to see what they think and if they can recommend inner soles. Have to see, hopefully it doesnt keep bothering me, or I will have to go to the Physio. I am playing outdoor amateur at the moment, but in a couple of seasons I was planning on playing in a small professional league, with some of my friends who I play futsal with. Though this problem is crucial to get rid of before I can even start training properly, let alone playing properly!