SBRcanuck wrote:
Thanks for the info.
So given that you've had them many times, was there anything you tried specific to prevent future occurrences?
I guess I'm trying to figure out if it was simply overuse, or if it is an indicator that I need orthotics, etc...
I know this is directed at TMR, but I can give my feedback as well.
You will get a variety of opinions, to be honest orthotics seem to be dished out all the time for reasons that do not seem entirely clear to me (ie it looks like a bit of money making for many sports practices etc).
My coach is very clear on this, it all comes down to load management along with potentially some biomechanical issues that a good running specific strength and conditioning coach can help out with.
Shoe choice is important in the overall scheme of things as well, my coach makes me train the longer stuff in more heavily cushioned shoes (which I know can be controversial) and save my lighter weight shoes for tempo/speed work and race day.
From what you have described, this sounded like shin splints (MTSS), just the worst end of the MTSS spectrum but the best in terms of stress fracture grades?
There is some low quality evidence that ultrasound may speed up the recovery period (did not work for me), but speaking from experience, it is important to wait out the recovery period before you load it up again and just start off slowly. I have run my fastest half marathons late this year after having close to 12 weeks off running with MTSS in July.