Anterior Compartment Syndrome ("Shin Splints")

[Robobrob]

Anyone had any relief from compartment syndrome? I've now been on a stretching/exercise regimen for close to 8 months and have very little relief if any at all. It only really flares up when running for longer than 20min so I just don't run anymore (bike, jiu jitsu/grappling, "gorilla sprints" have become my staple for cardio).

It's not completely horrible if I never incorporate long duration running, but it would be nice to not have aching shins from a friendly game of flag football :P So I'm open to any tricks/techniques people have found relief with.


PS. shin splits is different from compartment syndrome... but more people know the pain if I reference "shin splints" :P Most meatheads have some degree of anterior compartment syndrome in my limited experience.

[cheesesteak]

I went from wearing basketball shoes to shoes meant for running and they have gone away.

[Praetorian]

Anyone had any relief from compartment syndrome? I've now been on a stretching/exercise regimen for close to 8 months and have very little relief if any at all. It only really flares up when running for longer than 20min so I just don't run anymore (bike, jiu jitsu/grappling, "gorilla sprints" have become my staple for cardio).

It's not completely horrible if I never incorporate long duration running, but it would be nice to not have aching shins from a friendly game of flag football :P So I'm open to any tricks/techniques people have found relief with.


PS. shin splits is different from compartment syndrome... but more people know the pain if I reference "shin splints" :P Most meatheads have some degree of anterior compartment syndrome in my limited experience.

Get a good pair of running shoes...not cross training or other kinds...pure running. Stretch the tibialis anterior muscle well prior to running. Do not use creatine or stop if you are.
P

[Robobrob]

Get a good pair of running shoes...not cross training or other kinds...pure running. Stretch the tibialis anterior muscle well prior to running. Do not use creatine or stop if you are.
P

The shoes I usually wear now are a really really light pair of nike free shoes. The light weight of the shoes I found really helped out alot (could run 20min instead of 10min), but I guess they're not really "runners". Closer to sprinter shoes I guess. What would be a good pair of runners?

I also do stretch my tib ant really well before and after running and 400mg of ibuprofen 30min before... supposed to help with the swelling, I dunno if I notice.

Thanks for the help,
Brob

[Praetorian]

I have Nike free's as well....great shoe for walking...terrible for running. Get running shoes...go to a decent sports store like Running Free etc not sport check or athletes foot...you need to go where there is knowlegeable staff...not kids. New Balance, Asics, or Brooks are a good brand...just get them to fit you and get a decent running type shoe...they will run $120-150 but worth it.
P

[baza]

I'm in the same boat.
I get them too.
I have a good pair of shoes, didn't help.
I avoid cement or any hard surfaces as much as I can. I run on grass only.
I just started to live with them. I took about a week and a half off because of vacation, a couple weeks ago, and luckily they have no flared back up yet.

[Durk]

I have Nike free's as well....great shoe for walking...terrible for running. Get running shoes...go to a decent sports store like Running Free etc not sport check or athletes foot...you need to go where there is knowlegeable staff...not kids. New Balance, Asics, or Brooks are a good brand...just get them to fit you and get a decent running type shoe...they will run $120-150 but worth it.
P

This and put insoles in for extra support even good shoes like this have not the greatest insoles.

[musclehead123]

Near the end of my season I used to get them real bad, right to the point where i couldnt walk, I'd still have to finish my workout though. Start running on the grass or do trail runs (make sure u walk the trail to see if its run worthy). Get yourself some good shoes try the running room. Another thing i would do is fill up a styrofoam cup with water and then peel off half an inch and run that up and down my shin. Another thing is to find a bucket that comes upto your knee and fits your foot, then fill it with the coldest water you can get and put a couple trays of ice in it. Dip your leg(s) for about 10-15mins.......oh and you need a couple weeks of rest and make sure you dip your shins in water during this time a couple times a day. I would only take meds if I really needed to run (competition, meet).

[guest]

i get compartment syndrome too, but usually only after returning from a lay off and then it goes away. i cant imagine dealing with that shit on a regular basis.

i usually massage and stretch the lower leg and take an anti inflammatory.

[Robobrob]

I just got out of the hospital from back compartment syndrome, been home for a week now, the preasure was so bad in my lower back that it pushed fluids into my kidneys and gave me kidney failure (i was pissing blood), my CK level jumped up to 80,000!!! I was in the hospital for a little over 2 weeks and I am now back at home trying to recover, my kidneys are slowly healing but has some perminate damage, Im currently taking hydromorphone pills for pain, I have an apointment in november to see if I will need surgery, they dot even know what caused it, my lower half of my back is completely numb and they dont know if I will ever get the feeling back...they told me that theres only 5 cases that they know and Im the worst one of them all....my luck hey

Rex


Jeeze, I've seen traumatic anterior compartment syndrome (car accident caused bleeding in the compartment) and the surgery was as "simple" as cutting the fascia, now his shin bulges like an elastic compartment :P I can't imagine having that compartment pain in the lower back. Hope the recovery was/is quick.


Thanks for all the tips guys, I'm gunna try the bucket of ice water and head into a proper running shop tomorrow.

Thanks again!
Brob

[Seth]

Getting light running shoes fixed it for me