running pain

[allina]

I have a pain in my legs that I haven't felt before. It's on the inside of my legs, about 3-4 inches up from my ankles, and it's worse in the right leg.

 

I have been running faster and for longer periods of time recently, so I'm sure that's what caused it. I thought I was just sore, but when I got on my treadmill yesterday it hurt so bad with each step I was barely able to finish 1 mile.

 

Does this sound like shin splints? Should I worry? Or is it just harmless soreness?

 

I have good running shoes, a good treadmill and I'm not new to working out or anything.

[alphamale]

you shouldn't run for a couple days then see how it feels

[allina]

you shouldn't run for a couple days then see how it feels

 

I'm anxious about not being able to run for a couple days

 

If it's just sore then I can still run. I just don't want to injure myself if there is a real problem.

[norajane]

It could be shin splints, although that's usually felt on the front of your lower leg...on your shins ...not on the inside.

 

It sounds like it could be your shoes. Most people have a habit of planting their foot on either the outside or inside edge of the foot. And there are shoes that compensate for that with extra padding inside and outside the shoe, depending on if you pronate (weight is placed on the inside edge of the sole) or supinate (weight is placed on the outside edge of the sole). You can check your regular walking shoes to see. If the outside heel/edge of your shoe is worn down, you supinate. If the inside heel/edge of your show is worn down, you pronate.

 

Anyhoo, you might have the wrong kind of shoes, or shoes that don't account for pronation or supination. And that can cause pain in your legs, especially if you've been running more than usual.

 

You really shouldn't run if you're in pain. Pain is the sign of something being wrong. A couple of days off might sound unappealing, but that's way better than blindly continuing and seriously hurting yourself so you can't run for weeks or months.

[allina]

It could be shin splints, although that's usually felt on the front of your lower leg...on your shins ...not on the inside.

 

It sounds like it could be your shoes. Most people have a habit of planting their foot on either the outside or inside edge of the foot. And there are shoes that compensate for that with extra padding inside and outside the shoe, depending on if you pronate (weight is placed on the inside edge of the sole) or supinate (weight is placed on the outside edge of the sole). You can check your regular walking shoes to see. If the outside heel/edge of your shoe is worn down, you supinate. If the inside heel/edge of your show is worn down, you pronate.

 

Anyhoo, you might have the wrong kind of shoes, or shoes that don't account for pronation or supination. And that can cause pain in your legs, especially if you've been running more than usual.

 

You really shouldn't run if you're in pain. Pain is the sign of something being wrong. A couple of days off might sound unappealing, but that's way better than blindly continuing and seriously hurting yourself so you can't run for weeks or months.

 

Thanks NJ.

 

I'm afraid the issue isn't shoes. I buy my running shoes at a running store where they look at your foot, watch you walk and run, then take a video of you running on a treadmill to make sure you get the right fit. They review your foot placement and running style very carefully to make sure you get the proper shoes.

 

Maybe it's a sore muscle?

 

I'm definitely not going to run for a couple days, I don't want any injuries

[Star Gazer]

2 questions:

 

1. Is the pain worse at the end of the day?

2. Do you have a definite area/spot of pain (compared to a more generalized/spread out all over)?

 

If yes to both questions, you may have a stress fracture.

[allina]

2 questions:

 

1. Is the pain worse at the end of the day?

2. Do you have a definite area/spot of pain (compared to a more generalized/spread out all over)?

 

If yes to both questions, you may have a stress fracture.

 

1. No, I only feel the pain while running.

2. It's more of a general area about 4-5 inches in length, same area in both legs but stronger on the right (I think because the right leg is my prominent leg).

[Star Gazer]

Okay, that's good. Sounds like shin splints to me.

[allina]

Okay, that's good. Sounds like shin splints to me.

 

:(

How do I make it go away??? I googled it a bit and it sounds serious.

[Star Gazer]

:(

How do I make it go away??? I googled it a bit and it sounds serious.

 

Rest, ice, and like NJ said, maybe new shoes. You know you need to replace them every 300-500 miles, right?

 

I too went to one of those running stores (probably the same chain?), but I think when I did the thing where they watched me run to see if I under/over pronate, I tried to run "right" and so they didn't get an idea of how I actually run. I went back, and did it again, and got much better shoes.

[Hot Carl]

I would be concerned about tendinitis. The way to treat that is anti-inflammatories, ice, rest, and lots of sex.

 

Honestly the best thing to do is visit a doctor, or even just a physical therapist. Find out for sure what it is. A couple of days' rest won't necessarily fix the problem. The longer you keep it inflamed and aggravated, the longer it will take to heal. Trust me. I now have permanent pain in my forearm from tendinitis left untreated. Achilles tendinitis took a month to go away. I had it on the outside of my ankle about 6 inches up from my foot from May until September last year.

 

On the other hand I developed severe inflammation in my quad from running in the snow earlier this year, and two days of intensive icing and total rest made it go away. Now that I know how to treat it, I have more control over it.

[Lauriebell82]

I get that sometimes too, I also get pain on the inside of my knee where the tendon is. It's just soreness. You said that you have been running longer and harder so your body is probably adjusting to the extra stress.

 

Maybe take it easy the next few days on the treadmill..go back to your regular workout and let your legs heal a little. It's not shin splints, those occur in the front part of your leg right above your ankle.

 

I've gotten pain before too and it's always subsided.

[GrayClouds]

I'm anxious about not being able to run for a couple days

 

I am more concern about that statement then the pain. That mentality often leads to chronic, sport ended injuries.

 

If you must, cross train on something else for a week.

[allina]

I still have the pain when I walk up/down stairs and I felt it today running for the train, though it's almost gone from my left leg. This is getting upsetting If it isn't gone by Saturday I will see a doctor. I hope I'm just sore and that this isn't shin splints or anything serious.

 

Watching the Olympics makes me want to be active so bad. It's depressing to see all these amazing, fit athletes and to know that I haven't been active in days.

 

[allina]

I am more concern about that statement then the pain. That mentality often leads to chronic, sport ended injuries.

 

 

Why? I stopped when I felt pain, I'm just bummed about it.

[Sweetcheripie]

Try a warm bath with Epsom Salts. Icing is good for the first 48 hours but Epsom Salts are phenomenal for muscle strains. Also, keep up on the Ibuprofen - it needs to build up in your blood stream to help with the inflammation.

Edited February 18, 2010 by Sweetcheripie
added ibuprofen info

[allina]

keep up on the Ibuprofen - it needs to build up in your blood stream to help with the inflammation.

 

Oh? I didn't realize this could have benefits other than pain relief. I actually never take pain killers. Should I get some ibuprofen to help with recovery?

[GrayClouds]

Why? I stopped when I felt pain, I'm just bummed about it.

 

Originally Posted by allina

I'm anxious about not being able to run for a couple days

It suggest you had an issue about taking a couple of days off.

 

How many days a week do you run?

 

You many mile are an your shoes? How old are they?

[Sweetcheripie]

Oh? I didn't realize this could have benefits other than pain relief. I actually never take pain killers. Should I get some ibuprofen to help with recovery?

 

Yep - just took my daughter in for a bruised rib (long story). The doctor said to keep taking Ibuprofen every 4-6 hours pain or no pain because it needs to build up in the system. Advil/Motrin will help if there is swelling.

[allina]

It suggest you had an issue about taking a couple of days off.

 

How many days a week do you run?

 

You many mile are an your shoes? How old are they?

 

I do have an issue with taking a few (as in almost a week) off, what's wrong with that? I enjoy running, I think running does amazing things for my body and mind.

 

I run 4-5 times a week, but I don't run very far. Recently it's been about 30 miles a week.

 

My shoes are about 6-7 months old and in great shape, though I will bring this issue up to the running store when I go in for my next pair.

[allina]

Yep - just took my daughter in for a bruised rib (long story). The doctor said to keep taking Ibuprofen every 4-6 hours pain or no pain because it needs to build up in the system. Advil/Motrin will help if there is swelling.

 

No swelling but I may try the ibuprofen. Though I always felt like pain meds were for emergencies only because they could be bad for your liver and stomach.

[Hot Carl]

I'm sure you know not to take anti-inflammatories or pain killers before a run though.

[allina]

I'm sure you know not to take anti-inflammatories or pain killers before a run though.

 

No, I actually didn't know that Is that dangerous? I have taken pain killers literally ONCE since I can remember, and that was for one day when I got my wisdom teeth yanked, so I know nothing about them.

[Sweetcheripie]

I do have an issue with taking a few (as in almost a week) off, what's wrong with that? I enjoy running, I think running does amazing things for my body and mind.

 

I run 4-5 times a week, but I don't run very far. Recently it's been about 30 miles a week.

 

My shoes are about 6-7 months old and in great shape, though I will bring this issue up to the running store when I go in for my next pair.

 

 

I think that is way too old. Try getting two really good pairs and switch off using them. Also, I know it sounds like an old wives tale but seriously try the Epsom Salts. I "healed" so many football boys through the years.

[Hot Carl]

No, I actually didn't know that Is that dangerous? I have taken pain killers literally ONCE since I can remember, and that was for one day when I got my wisdom teeth yanked, so I know nothing about them.

 

If you mask the pain, then you risk over-doing it during your workout. The damage will only be apparent after the medicine wears off. If there is something wrong, you need to be able to feel it while you're running, so you'll stop.