It’s all about Andy’s Shin… but the Guru needs more information

Hi Guru, Cant shift the pain in my shin, been 5 weeks now!! Played football up to two weeks ago and had 2 weeks complete rest bar swimming...reckon this could be anything more serious? Pain goes completely with anti inflammotories..... The Guru needs more info: Humm...questions

• Is it shin bone pain or muscle pain?
• Is it site when poked or when you move your ankle?
• Is it sore at night or first thing in the morning when you take weight on to it?
• Are you doing anything else eg hill running?

.....and answers please! Andy responds: Bone pain, when I poke it. Same pain most of the time (only a 1 or 2 out of 10 when walking) Stopped running completely as I am making it worse! X ray was clear....

Thanks Andy I think it sounds like a bone stress reaction - the surface of your tibia (shin) is swelling slightly due to the repetitive load being put through it - that's why the anti inflames help. Bone reactions can take a notoriously long time to settle - think 4/6 weeks. If you don't give them enough rest they can progress to stress fractures, but I don't think you're anywhere near there yet. More rest time please! Regarding X-ray: X-ray can't detect subtle change at the bone surface. MRI may show some bruising/swelling in the marrow and not possibly the surface. A nuclear bone scan would probably show some local hot spots indicating the stress reaction. All good. The Guru Six Physio