Shin or calf pain when running: causes and treatment

Tibial edge syndrome

What is tibial edge syndrome?

Tibial plateau syndrome is a feeling of pain or unusual discomfort in the lower leg . The pain can be mild or very intense . It is most likely caused by pathological changes in the periosteum (periosteum) of the tibia from chronic overload.

Where does it hurt?

The exact location of the pain is not the same for everyone, but it can be in different parts of the shin. Most often, the pain appears in the distal (distant) third of the lower leg , i.e. just above the ankle, but this is definitely not the rule. The pain is strongest at the beginning of the activity and weakens during it, then manifests itself again the next day.

Why does tibial edge syndrome occur?

It is a combination of factors. Simply put, the syndrome is caused by too frequent and strenuous running with insufficient rest for bone regeneration. The key is overloading the tibia with repeated hard impacts , where the bone can even bend slightly, which damages its structure .

What increases the risk of developing tibial edge syndrome?

In addition to running at too high an intensity, risk factors include running on hard surfaces with shoes that do not adequately cushion the impact. A person may be predisposed to the problem by abnormalities in the fascia or muscles of the deep posterior compartment. Arch defects , incorrect foot strike , different leg lengths and obesity also contribute to the development. Statistically, women are affected by about 10% more.

How long does the injury last?

The duration of pain can vary greatly, ranging from 2-6 weeks of partial or complete rest . Returning to running must be gradual , you cannot start at the same intensity at which the pain appeared.

How to treat tibial edge syndrome?

For such chronic injuries, it is important to go into a rest mode for a while. If the shin is pain-free , you can only reduce the amount and length of training , but if the pain continues to appear, you must stop running for a few weeks. Icing is certainly important in treating pain. Stretching can also be helpful. When the pain disappears, try to start running lightly again with the right shoes and gradually increase the intensity. Above all, you must not rush progress, even if you are physically fit. ¹

Source: www.prodynamicpt.com

Calf muscle injuries

What could it be?

Calf muscle pain during activity is typically caused by stretching or even tearing of muscle fibers .

How common are calf muscle injuries?

Surprisingly, this type of injury is not very common . It accounts for about 1.3% of running injuries, of which 70% were men.

How does a calf muscle injury occur?

There are 2 different types of movement that will cause a calf muscle to stretch or tear, each in a different location. The calf muscle has 3 heads - 2 outer and one inner. The 2 outer heads are responsible for dynamic movements such as sprinting or jumping and are the ones that can be injured . The inner head is the endurance head and is injured only after very long runs .

How do I know if I have pulled or torn a muscle?

Calf pain on movement and palpation is characteristic of both injuries. If it is just a strain , the calf should not be massively swollen with a large bruise or even a palpable tear in the muscle. These are signs of a muscle rupture .

How to treat it and how long does it take?

Immediately after the injury, it would be ideal to keep the leg elevated , ice it, compress it with a bandage and, most importantly, not put any weight on it for a few days. This way, you reduce swelling , bruising and allow the calf to regenerate fully . The right choice is to see a doctor so that he can confirm the diagnosis or find another of the many causes of calf pain and start treatment. The duration varies greatly depending on the severity. In mild cases, a few days on crutches are enough and then gradually try to put weight on, for example, toes. In serious cases, you may be given a cast for up to 6 weeks and sometimes heels for another 6-12 weeks , so returning to sports may take 3 to 4 months . First, you need to be able to walk without pain and limping . Then start trying to run slowly for half an hour , when that too is without pain and limping , you can gradually return to normal training . ^{2, 3}

Source: www.willsmerehealth.com

Resources:

1. Deshmukh, Nikita S, and Pratik Phansopkar. "Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome: A Review Article." Cureus vol. 14.7 e26641. July 7 2022, doi:10.7759/cureus.26641
2. Fields, Karl B, and Michael D Rigby. "Muscular Calf Injuries in Runners." Current sports medicine reports vol. 15.5 (2016): 320-4. doi:10.1249/JSR.0000000000000292
3. Gallo RA, Plakke M, Silvis ML. Common leg injuries of long-distance runners: anatomical and biomechanical approach. Sports Health. 2012 Nov;4(6):485-95. doi: 10.1177/1941738112445871. PMID: 24179587; PMCID: PMC3497945.