Shin splints!

Margo415

Okay, I've had cramps in my calfs and I can deal with that.  Eat a banana and flex my foot up... but tonight we were having a dinner party and I was cleaning up afterwards.  All of the sudden I got a horrible pain in the front of my shin and couldn't walk at all!  I don't know why it happened, maybe it's just because of all of the extra blood in my body right now.  But it's swelling and not really going away, even though I'm sitting down now.  

Do I ice it.. heat it?  What can be done?   

mexicolombiana

Man I used to hate getting shin splints, I usually got them after playing alley basketball.

The only thing that would help me was lots of stretching and I think I used to take ibuprofen or some other anti-inflammatory which I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to take while pregnant. 

 

mexicolombiana

and icing helps too I think.

mrs.mulrine

If they are actually shin splints, my old soccer coach would have us freeze water in dixie cups (since it makes the perfect size ice) and rub that on your shin when it started to hurt. But if its swelling, dont you put heat on it to take the swelling down? I'd say maybe a warm rag and maybe some epsom salt? I havent had shin splints in YEARS hahah. I hope it gets better though!

BabyCopper

You should defininitely ice it and elevate it/them to keep swelling and pain down.  Follow the RICE rule - Rest Ice Compression Elevation. 

  But usually shin splints don't come on just like that *sudden snap of fingers.*  Have you been walking more lately?  Running?  I would get them back in college from running. 

I was susceptible to them because of high foot arches.  Do you have enough arch support in your shoes?  There are some exercises that I remember doing - like putting a small dishtowel on the floor and with bare feet, scrunching it up, trying to scrunch it closer to you.  Then drawing the alphabet with a pointed toe. 

I hope you get some relief.  If the swelling persists, definitely see your dr.