Shin Splints or something else?

[BDot]

Hello all!

So here is my deal...I am trying to consistently stay active now and have been exercising for general fitness and to obtain that highly sought after atheltic physique over the past couple months. I am 24 yrs old 6'3 about 230-235 lbs presently . I was training for size a few times on and off over the past few years and have unfortuately gathered up many unwanted lbs since high school where I ran X-Country and played basketball and baseball. I had surgery to obliterate a varicose vein last fall and my surgeon said that it was a definite success.

So now I am trying to run and elliptial train my unwanted body fat away (2 days run - 3 days elliptical) but I am experiencing a lot of pain in my legs along the inside of my calf down to my ankle, not only on my repaired leg but in the other leg equally as well. Since it is in my other leg too I ruled out my varicose vein issues in the past to be the cause of this. This is when I am jogging only, not on the elliptical. I am basically reaching out here to see if anyone has experience similar pains and if these sound like shin splints. I never had this issue when I was an athlete in school so I am clueless to shin splints. I had one really great day where I was able to run 25 mins at a moderate pace and since then I have had to deal with this EVERYTIME I JOG. I feel this pain shortly after I begin jogging and have to revert to the elliptical, usually after 2-3 mins of running. This pain is accompanied by swelling around the ankle area and the areas just below my calves. I have no problems walking even at a brisk pace. I train during the work week only and take weekends off.

Can someone help me out? If you can tell me if you need more info.

Sorry I don't have anything to offer you in response to your specific question, but welcome to Discuss Fitness with your first post. I see you have actually been a member for some time.

Shin splints have been discussed here before. You may want to do a search to see what comes up.

I suggest you engage in brisk walking while you are on the mend as that will definitely help you with your fitness goals. And continue with the elliptical trainer as you indicated that does not aggravate your injury. The elliptical trainer is my friend as my knees continue to get old and stiff. There is not doubt in my mind that, with the right intensity, you can achieve your fitness goals with the elliptical trainer. But if you are a runner in your heart, then I know how you'd rather be running. Be patient and you will.

Have a great day!

[westside24]

sounds like shin splits to me? but I never had them so I really dont know, But also I never heard anyone say there ankle has swollen up from having shin splits... SO I wouldnt rule out shin splits or maybe even something else.

[Lady C]

It is not shin splints if the pain travels from the inside of my calf down to my ankle. I would seek professional help from a sport medicine specialists. It sounds like a medical issue to me not a activity issue.