What it is
It usually gets better within a few weeks with rest from high-impact activity, ice and painkillers. Low-impact exercise, such as swimming, can continue.
Building up exercise gradually, good shoes and insoles can help prevent it coming back.
Common signs
- Pain along the shin bone
- Pain during and after exercise
- Tenderness when the shin is touched
- Mild swelling
How it is usually diagnosed
- Questions about activity and an examination
- Sometimes an X-ray or MRI to rule out a stress fracture
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- GP or physiotherapy notes
- X-ray or MRI reports
- Training and rehabilitation plans
Questions to ask your doctor
- How long should I rest from running?
- Could this be a stress fracture?
- What changes would help prevent it?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Severe pain, swelling and tightness in the lower leg that gets worse, especially after injury: get urgent help, call 112
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.