Shin guards on lacrosse players

What are “shin splints”?

Shin splints appear on the medial (big toe side) and posterior (back side) of the shin bone. This is when the tibialis posterior muscle separates from the back of the tibia (shin bone). This shearing occurs when the bow begins to droop and the muscle is repeatedly overstretched with the pounding of the stroke. It can be very painful and cause worse injuries.

Who receives them?

People who run a lot get them… like lacrosse players. It usually happens when they ramp up their running and the body suddenly can’t repair itself fast enough for the tearing of the tissues caused by increased training.

Anatomical description:

The tibialis posterior runs from the upper back of the tibia, down through the top of the foot to the inside of the ankle, to attach to the bottom of a small bone that forms part of the arch of the foot. As the tapping/running increases, every time the foot hits the ground, the arch gives up a bit. Each time this pulls on the muscle, it pulls it down along the back of the shin. This cutting or pulling can actually start to tear the muscle from where it attaches there. This causes pain, inflammation, and a weakening of the covering of the bone (periosteum). If this is allowed to go on long enough, the bone can become weak, leading to stress fractures as well as a complete fracture.

What else could it be?

Doctors need to have 3 differential diagnoses when analyzing the problem. When looking at shin pain, some things that need to be ruled out are:

1. Fracture (stress or frank)

2. Anterior compartment syndrome

3.Pathology- neoplasia…the big C. Rare, possible purpose.

X-ray findings:

The doctor may take an X-ray. It is not a bad idea. Make sure the pelvis is covered with a lead shield. Fractures and shin splints can often be seen on x-rays. The same is the case with neoplasia. Anterior compartment syndrome cannot be seen on the x-ray. This is a potentially very dangerous problem and should not be allowed to “go away on its own”. That necessitates a pressure relief procedure. See a doctor. Neoplasia, well, that would be a very sad thing, but luckily it’s pretty rare.

Please tell the difference between pimples and anterior compartment syndrome:

Shin splints are on the big toe side of the shin bone. This hurts when you start running and in the early stages the pain goes away once you warm up. I’ll talk later about how you can take care of much of this yourself.

Anterior compartment syndrome is located on the outside of the shin bone, toward the little toe. It will give you a feeling of fullness, heat and tearing pain. This needs immediate medical attention.

Is shin splints harmless?

Should I encourage my daughter to resist? No! If she is strong enough and left long enough, she can cause a weakening of the bone… leading to micro-fractures, stress fractures, and then a complete tibia tear! Oh!

Take time off from the game?

That depends on how far you’ve gone! Demand moi. If we catch it early, then no, you don’t have to stop playing. I have some great ways you can help yourself get through this by playing all the time.

Personal care:

Materials:

oMake Dixie cup ice cubes. Yeah, take a box and make a dozen, and keep them in your freezer.

oTake 2 on the way to practice. Use one on the way out and one on the way back. Put the second one in a cooler so that it melts to a minimum.

oA towel… hand size is fine

Traumeel ointment. I don’t sell this, but you can find it at http://www.heelusa.com

It’s a must keep in your lacrosse bag! Awesome stuff for boo-boos!

Get arch supports!

I recommend the Spenco Full Length Soft Arch Cushion Insoles. They are soft, and that is important to many people. Look them up online. They shouldn’t cost more than $15.

Every morning:

After getting up and taking a shower, and walking around: Do calf raises. You can catch on for balance while: standing on one leg and tucking the other leg behind the knee. Push up to tiptoe position and hold for a full 2 ​​seconds. Repeat 20 times on each leg at first. Work up to 40 times on each leg.

What to do in the car on the way to practice:

Take 2 dixie cup ice cubes in the car on the way to practice. Store one in a cooler for after practice. Take the other one and peel the lips off the cup so the top of the ice cube is exposed, and you can grip the cup, and not the actual ice cube.

Lay a flat towel on the floor of the car. Place your bare feet on the towel.

Use a Dixie cup of ice…about half on each pimple. Rub up and down the area of ​​pain. It will drip all over the place. First you will feel cold. Then it will throb. Then it will fall asleep. This should take 3-5 minutes per side. Just use half of the ice cube on one side and go to the other.

The entire time you’re doing the icing, tap your toes. Meaning: While rubbing the ice cube up and down, tap your toe as if you were impatient. You must not do less than 100 toe strikes and no more than 200 on each side.

Now make sure the towel is flat on the floor. Use your toes to try to crumple the towel into a ball. Make sure everything is wrinkled. It will take some work. Do this 3 times, straightening up between each “crease.”

Now use the Traumeel. Use about an inch of the ointment. Divide it in half and rub half on each pimple.

Repeat this after practice on the way home.

Each night:

Do calf raises. You can catch on for balance while: standing on one leg and tucking the other leg behind the knee. Push up to tiptoe position and hold for a full 2 ​​seconds. Repeat 20 times on each leg at first. Work up to 40 times on each leg.

If you do all of this every day in the morning, before practice, after practice, and before bed…your shin splints should be gone within 2 weeks. If they are not, please contact me for more ideas.