Gents,

3-4 years ago I began training up to become a PJ. I had always been in great shape, but as I increased my running I began to experience shin splints for the first time ever (very odd for me). This eventually manifested into ankle, knee and hip pain to the point where I could not run at all and couldn't walk without pain. I spent 2-3 years seeing Orthopaedists, physical therapists, chiropractors, podiatrists and PM&R specialists. Nothing helped.

Finally, an Ortho i was seeing threw his hands in the air and passed me on to a PT down here washington, dc that sepcialized in running (why he waited to do this i'll never know).

Paul Wang, D.P.T. made me a pair of orthotics (probably my 6th pair) that, literally, made an instant difference. it turns out he's on staff at Georgetown Track and Field and REALLY knows his stuff. It took a few months for me to fully recover and heal, but I can run normally again and finally have my confidence back so that I can begin to think PJ again.

This isn't meant to be an informerical for Paul. I just want to make sure that anybody who's struggling with feet/leg issues are aware that he is out there.

Good Luck to all the wannabes and many thanks for the operators for their service and sacrifice and TE for maintaining this site.

I have shin splints/stress fractures too whenever I've stopped running for a period of time and start back up again.

went to the local running store so that they can "video tape" me run, and sure enough I'm overpronated in my right foot. No major ankle injuries to date.. but just the way my foot goes inward when i lift up.

Got some inserts to help out my arch, but haven't noticed a real difference. Matched those with a pair of running shoes that have posts in the arch to keep my foot from going inwards, but those don't seem to help either.

I have had the same problems as you both described. I use orthotics now but only for boot runs or long days in uncomfortable shoes. I was told by a "specialist" that you don't need orthotics when you run in a good pair of supported shoes, and it seems to be working. The best thing I did to stop the plantar fascitis and achilles tendonitis was wear a night splint to keep the feet elevated at night, and rolled a golf ball under my feet. Worked wonders. As far as shin splints go, try this shin workout, lie on your back with your knee pulled to your chest and rotate your ankle 15-20 times to the left, then right, then up and down, then switch. You'll feel the burn and strengthen those shins

i might try that shin workout.

Shin Splits/Stress Fractures come at the beginning of whenever I start running after a long time (well why the hell aren't you running all the time! I know). But I just push through it and my legs/muscles get accustomed to it.. probably not the best idea.

Yeah, as long as its not seriously bothering you. The more you ignore an injury and push through it the more it will lead into a more serious and far worse injury later. Sometimes, unfortunately, the best medication is time off and rest

Yeah, I doubt most people would have to go through everything that I went through.

99% of shin splint issues are dealt with by moderation and training. Sadly, I'm not one of those cases.

My PT figured out that a leg length difference and lateral difference between how much my legs are bowed is what caused it. It makes perfect sense since I only had bad splints on one side.

if you're going to get inserts/orthotics just make it's not some fly-by-night outfit trying to sell you any piece of garbage.

I will take any advice I can get here. I'm close to crosstraining to CCT now and the more I push out my training, mostly runs, another injury pops up. Last year I had to deal with plantar fascitis along with achilles tendonitis. Everything seemed fine to start out this years training for a couple triathlons, but now I have achilles pain again, knee pain, and prolonged calf soreness. Maybe I should take up yoga. I'll be 29 this summer but I know I'm not too old, at least I don't feel it