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Hello! I'm a long-distance runner of 27 years, and I'm writing here hoping for some encourigment and advice.

Despite being a runner, I have not been able to run since January 2018. I have had two episodes of shin splints during summer and fall 2017 and the problems started at wintertime. the same year. I work as a nurse, and during my shifts back then I could feel a weird "stiff and tired" feeling in the medial tibial area. This went on, and despite recieving shockwave-therapy in sping 2018, the leg pain did not become better. I have also got two MRs showing absolutely nothing wrong. I started seeing a physical therapist in August, and we have been working on my ankle stability and tibialis posterior strength ever since. My ankle stability has become better indeed but the pain and tired/stiff feeling in my leg haven't lessened. I basically cannot enjoy a normal day playing With my children/doing housework etc. without having an achy leg towards the end of the day. Even after a basic gym strength workout I'm experiencing discomfort and/or pain.
If that is of any interest, I have a large accessory navicular bone on my affected leg, though the pain is not sitting there but 20 cm above. I experienced lots of pain and discomfort in that accessory boney area 10 years ago but it haven't bothered me ever since.

What I'm asking for is advice and opinions. This Whole situation is eating me up, and I've started to feel depressed the last couple of days. I also feel like I don't have a normal quality of life.

Is there any chances of my returning to running soon/ again? What treatment options can I/ should I consider? What are yout thoughts?


I really appreciate all answers!

 

Blades,
Two parts to this answer. 1. How to fix Shin Splints. 2. How to eliminate pain fast.

Shin splints are a symptom that the arch is in the process of dropping. The tibias anterior is the large tendon on the arch side of your foot that pops out when you raise your ankle. This muscle is used to slow down the forward roll of the foot at heel strike and raise the foot so it won't drag on the ground during swing. To make this more effective it reaches far out on the foot, to create a long lever arm from the axis (heel rocker axis) to the foot attachment; where force will be applied. This long lever arm also means that as the foot collapses its posture, this tendon is pulled the hardest and furthest. It is really at the end of the collapse that the tiny tears and resultant inflammation happens. Therefore the answer is simple, create a calibrated spring in the shape of your foot apply a postural corrective force equal and opposite to the downward force applied by your body. The cast should deliver the geometry of such a spring in the highest posture the foot can accept at mid stance with soft tissues evenly compressed. This allows more even distribution of Force per unit area (pressure) and almost eliminates impact. (the foot never drops down and hits the orthotic because it is touching it). Learn more on YouTube: Sole Supports TV or message me for more info.

Pain relief is quite simple. You will need an assistant. Lie down supine with leg extended. Have your partner wrap their hand around the back of your heel, fingers along the achilles tendon, heel in their palm and your forefoot resting on their forearm. You will do this three ways:
1. with the big toe resting against your partner's forearm
2. with the ball of your foot in the middle (toes 2,3,4) against partner's forearm.
3. with the the ball of the foot on the little toe side against your partner's forearm.

Allow your partner to passively (with no help or resistance from you) push up on your forefoot with their forearm until it gently reaches the end of the range of motion. Do not allow them to stretch or cause ANY pain.

Now three things need to happen:
1. You apply a very gentle force (little more than a thought) to their forearm with your foot.
2. Your Partner does not allow you to move. It is isometric against resistance from your partner.
3. Your partner places their hand flat along the inside of your knee . Very lightly press the tips of your fingers into the side of the knee, against the bone (not on the tendons behind the knee) and pull gently and slowly upward (DO NOT CHANGE DIRECTIONS). For several seconds (5-20) your fingers will remain in the same spot then you will feel the tissues below your fingers soften and slide upward.

You can do this again if you like but remember to do it in all 3 ways described above.

I suggest you also release the gastric-soleus, and the rest of the lower extremity. Those release are available on www.rrrtv.net

Hope that this helps. If you have difficulty getting

 

I also want to put this out there for your consideration, because you asked about returning to running. We are currently in development on a new casting technique and new geometry that captures the foot more accurately in propulsion: called MASS Pro (for propulsive) for runners. If you want to be part of our experiment, I can get you set up for a research pair at no charge in exchange for honest feedback. Again, message me to arrange.