Really painful legs

[disnut1149]

Hi
How do you prevent shin splints (the pain that goes down the front of each leg) from happening. My feet were in great shape last December because I wore the Mickey Crocs, (no blisters), but I could barely walk after a couple of days. My legs hurt so bad. Anyone have suggestions as to what prevents this? Thanks!! (I know it wasn't from the Crocs, because I wore tennis shoes also and I still had pain.)

 

[GBShorts]

Hi
How do you prevent shin splints (the pain that goes down the front of each leg) from happening. My feet were in great shape last December because I wore the Mickey Crocs, (no blisters), but I could barely walk after a couple of days. My legs hurt so bad. Anyone have suggestions as to what prevents this? Thanks!! (I know it wasn't from the Crocs, because I wore tennis shoes also and I still had pain.)

I'm by no means a medical expert but I used to get shin splints when I was in high school tennis and one of the trainers told me it was due to how I was walking/running.

they suggested when I walk to make sure I start on my heel and end on my toe instead of slamming my entire foot down at once or landing on the ball of my foot first. In other words, you have to roll your foot from back to front as you walk (like you might see a marching band person do).

I don't know if you find this helpful or not but I thought I'd throw it in. It has to do with how you're walking, not what you're walking in.

 

[CapeCod53]

I know most people who get shin splints do so from running on hard surfaces. It is an overuse problem. (which is why I do power walking for exercise, never running. I always get shin splints when I run) I think wearing good shoes with good support in them & getting out and walking on a regular basis before your trip will help. There is a company called FootSmart that has a catalog as well as website. They sell all sorts of products for your feet from shoes & socks to braces, inserts, gel pads, etc. I believe they have compression braces & icing braces for shin splints to help treat them. But I'm sure you wd rather prevent them.

 

[abbybeth]

as someone who has battled shin splints and had 2 bouts with shin stress fractures, I definitely get where you're coming from.

What can help greatly is having additional arch support, either through custom made orthodics from a podiatrist or even off the shelf orthodics - that can make for a huge improvement! - put them in whatever shoes you are wearing that day. Granted, that eliminates the ability to wear flip flops, but it's better than sore shins! I haven't put them in crocs, but I don't see why it would be a problem - if you put them in and find that they slip out of place, a couple pieces of double stick tape on the bottom of the orthodic should keep it nicely in place for the day.

Also, if you are in a resort with a fridge (that I presume has a freezer) bring paper cups with you, fill them with water and freeze them and use them to ice your shins for 15-20 minutes at the end of the day. I have also gotten decent relief by taking some ibuprofen as well.

Like the previous responder said, it is caused by the way your foot strikes the ground, however it is not always something that can be fixed just by altering your foot strike pattern - and quite frankly, after you've been walking around for several hours at Disney, you're going to be too tired to focus on your foot strike pattern! Look into the orthodics and if need be, look into icing. Overall, if you know you have shin problems start training for Disney - build up your walking tolerance in the time before you go and doing exercises to build up the strength of the muscles in your lower legs. The stronger the support system there, the better they will feel. There are a lot of simple exercises that you can do with an exercise band that will help.

 

[disnut1149]

Thanks for all your replies. I'll try your suggestions and see if that helps. When I was in Disney last August, I wore Croc Scutes and sandals and my feet and legs never hurt at all, so I didn't know why my legs hurt so bad last December. I also thought that I took more time to relax in August than in December, it was a girls only trip and I could barely keep up with my girlfriend. She has so much stamina!!

 

[Mousema]

DS had shin splints in high school from running track. The Drs sent him to therapy to strenghten his arches (he basically has none). We also bought these really expensive arch supports that he could switch to different shoes. It really helped him.

 

[VistaLeigh'smommy]

I was told in high school track to put a face cloth or a slightly bigger towel out on the floor in front of your feet. Then scrunch it up with your toes till you have as much of it under your feet as you can. Then repeat.
That is supposed to be an exersize to strengthen them so you don't get shin splints.

BUT, if you do... bring alcohol pads or just soak some cotton balls in rubbing alcohol and rub it over your shins. This takes the pain away INSTANTLY!!! I get them at work sometimes and when I rub alcohol on them the pain goes away for a while... I have to reaply it after about an hour, but it works!!

 

[englishteacha]

Shoes with more arch support should help. I love my New Balance sneakers. You could try some of the OTC orthotics. I have a pair but they give me a blister where the end under the ball of my foot. So while my arches feel great, I can barely walk due to a blister. Can't win for losing!

 

[disnut1149]

Hi,
I'm just checking back and thanks for replying. I'll try some of these things and see if it helps. Thanks again!!