First thing is find another doc. Bone scans (to rule out a fx) aren't for "old women." Sounds like he was confused and thinking you wanted a DEXA scan (bone density and is more commonly for older women).

Stress fracture - you will feel "point tenderness." IE if you push on a certain point on the bone it will REALLY hurt. You wouldn't be able to jump up and down on the leg comfortably as it progresses.

Anyway, find another doc. They'll take x rays first; at this point something might show. My guess - NOT a doc - is you have shin splints, or Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome. In MTSS, tight calves/lower leg muscles cause the bone to absorb more stress. Start stretching your calves a lot - foam roll, "the stick" would be good. After exercise, ice your shins. Dixie cups, filled with water and frozen, work well for this because you can peel the cup back as the ice melts and give yourself an ice massage.

Tuning fork test is not bad; I've heard of using diagnostic ultrasound for tendon stuff but not bone (doesn't mean it CAN'T be used for bone) but in that case your physio had a computer display of what your leg looked like, right? A plain old therapeutic ultrasound won't do it.

You should also look at: how old are your shoes? What surfaces are you running on? (softer = better)

summary
-ask physio about shin splints
-find a new doc if you want x rays/bone scan (which seems logical at this point)

I'm really sorry and hope you don't have a fracture. It would be great if some stretching/massage would resolve it :-)

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maybe she's born with it, maybe it's chlorine
If you're injured and need some sympathy, PM me and I'm very happy to write back.
disclaimer: PhD not MD

Definitely get a second opinion! There are a variety of sports medicine doctors out there who are much more attuned to runner's injuries. Having suffered multiple stress fractures I can tell you that 8 weeks is typically not sufficient for full healing but the 7 weeks you did take off from running may have indeed helped the healing process to the point that you can run on it now. However, as you said, it may not be bone-related at all. Best of luck to you!

Get another opinion, I have learned that you need to be your own advocate when it comes to health care.

Btw, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis at age 30, after I insisted on a dexa scan. Not saying that it is a bone issue for you, just saying anything is possible.

Thanks for all the advice, ladies!

I have been doing stuff in physio to treat shin splints, but have that nagging worry in the back of my mind that it's something else. If nothing else, my physio said that he'd order an xray if my doctor refuses to - which would be a good first step.... Anyway, a second opinion is probably needed for my own peace of mind. :)

My shoes are still in good shape, and at the time I started getting symptoms I was mainly running on an indoor track - however I think I might have increased my training too quickly due to some unseasonally pleasant weather in February. Anyway, I guess I'll be turning into Proactive Woman and look around for a second opinion and tests that can rule out the stress fx differential.

I've had a different experience and I think literature supports that most stress fractures will heal in 6-8 weeks, particularly in the more commonly fractured metatarsals or tibias. Hip (pubic symphysis, femoral neck) stress fractures do take a matter of months, not weeks.

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maybe she's born with it, maybe it's chlorine
If you're injured and need some sympathy, PM me and I'm very happy to write back.
disclaimer: PhD not MD

Mine have all been in the hip area :) Superior and inferior pubic rami and femoral neck...eek!

Good news that you don't feel the pain while running! I had two femoral stress fractures while playing college volleyball and each step was excruciating - very localized.. My coach made me play through it and I almost fainted on occasion from the pain. Hopefully you can get the xray or scan and rule out any stress fractures!

I'm no medical expert, but this sounds like shin splints. I had a similar problem last year and I was surprised to find out that shin splints often occur along the inside of the leg, not always the outside. I also had pinpoint specificity about midway up my leg, making me think possible stress fracture, but it was just shin splints.

I'd recommend doing some research on shin splints.

You didn't say anything about cycling, I had to give that up for the last 2 weeks of my 6 weeks off for a fibula stress. The ortho explained that the calf in the area of the stress experiences some inflammation as the bone heals. Needless to say, riding puts some pressure on the calves. I'd imagine this would apply to shin splits as well. Once I stopped riding, mine came along quickly.

I definitely second finding another doctor...hopefully a sport medicine one, or maybe one that exercises himself/herself- they seem to be more understanding! Also what I have found with stress fractures if that the pain is so bad you are truly unable to run or have any impact...so perhaps its just shin splints. Look for some stretching exercises on that and maybe check your wear of your shoes.
Good luck!!!!!

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