Anterior tibialis tendonitis

Triathlon Forum
1

I developed anterior Tibialis tendonitis 4 weeks ago from overtraining (running). I had this same injury last year from, again, overtraining. Last year it resolved after 2 weeks with ice and ibuprofen. This year it has been worse. I wake up every morning with the muscle painful and tight. I can feel the “rubbing” of the muscle when I dorsiflex my foot. I have been doing a lot of stretching along with the ice and ibuprofen. nothing takes the pain away fully. I have been going to PT and they put me on this stretching schedule. They also use some machine that contracts my muscle. The pain is still there!!! I have been doing a lot of cycling (on the trainer) and swimming. Neither exercise hurts while in the motion but as soon as I try to walk the pain on the anterior part of my ankle and shin comes back. Anyone have any ideas of what I can do? I feel like the injury is not getting better. Anyone has experience with this injury. What worked for you? What did not work? Does anyone have a magic pill that I can take to heal me instantly? Any help, comments or feelings would be great. Thank you
-Mango

2

I developed anterior Tibialis tendonitis 4 weeks ago from overtraining (running). …They also use some machine that contracts my muscle.

The first thing you need to do is clarify your diagnosis. Shin splints (lower leg pain) can be caused by a variety of conditions:

  1. Stress fracture
  2. Anterior compartment syndrome
  3. Tendonitis (not typically of the tibialis anterior)

Can you describe the machine that you are using to contract the muscle.

Regardless of the cause, shin splints require total rest from the offending activity till all of the pain is gone. Don’t try to run again too soon.

I can tell you what worked for me.

  1. Strengthening of the tibialis anterior with the tib exerciser from APEC
  2. Stretching the tibialis anterior by kicking in the water with fins
  3. Laid off from running for several weeks and did cycling with Powercranks