Very sore shin (bone not joint)

[Sunshinereturns]

Hi everyone, I am on holiday abroad at the moment so not in contact with any healthcare provider.

I am wondering if anyone could advise me on pain I am suffering. Just before I left for holiday I suffered an agonising night of no sleep with a very sore shin. Right on the bone, not near a joint. I blamed it on walking way too far - I had walked 20 miles over 2 days - silly. I had a quiet day the next day and was alright. However now I’m on holiday and the last two nights the same shin has been so sore I can’t sleep. I have iced it and compressed it but haven’t brought my painkillers as I usually don’t need them now. I have just brought my methotrexate pen and sulfasalazine.

When I get up it is too painful to put weight on it but it improves over the day - regular arthritic behaviour for me, everything is worse at night when I’m not moving. Does anyone have any insight into why a bone would be so sore? It’s concerning me. Thanks

[AgedCrone]

just a guess…Google “ shin splints”

[Sunshinereturns in reply to AgedCrone]

I was doing just that…and wondering if it as simple as that. Reassuring though annoying. Thank you. It’s maybe just due to overdoing things. Just on one side though, weird.

[AgedCrone in reply to Sunshinereturns]

If it’s any consolation I had a similar problem ..just in my right leg & like so many RA aches & pains it just went away after a while…..but a while later I developed neuromas in my right foot! Whether there was any connection, I don’t know.

Try to enjoy the rest of your holiday ….take it easy on the walking.

[Linysaurous in reply to AgedCrone]

I thought exactly the same, I suffered from this last year - overdoing things 🙄

[Amnesiac3637]

I’d agree with AgedCrone. Definitely sounds like shin splints and it often only happens on one side as that’s the side you lean over to most so therefore most pressure on that leg. Not always but you don't usually get shin splint pain in both legs. It’s caused by over-exercise and will go if you rest it.

I had it years ago whilst walking in Cornwall. Was much more able then to do long walks but I had terrific pain in my shin which went with rest. Doc diagnosed it. It’s not much to do with RA as anyone can get it but it doesn’t help to have an inflammatory disease to cope with as well! Hope you recover soon.

[Sunshinereturns]

Would this tie in with it aching at night in bed and much better when moving about? That was what made me concerned it was arthritic. Many thanks

[Amnesiac3637 in reply to Sunshinereturns]

As your muscles tighten at night while you’re not moving it’ll cause aching and then pain when you first get up. Like any body that’s got RA tagged on to it it’ll feel better as you loosen up during the day. You should really rest though from walking for a while and ice your affected shin so the acute inflammation is reduced.

I am a retired orthopaedic sister/practice nurse and things have changed from my clinical days so if you’re worried or it doesn’t resolve go and see your GP for reassurance and if necessary further treatment but it usually resolves itself with a bit of Rand R (and gin).

[Sunshinereturns]

So appreciate your help. I feel very reassured.

[Haz58]

Just a thought..I had a similar thing happen in Spain last year. I saw a doctor who gave me 40mg steroid injection in my bum every day for a week. He said it was to do with RA/ Osteoarthritis. He gave me a steroid shot each day for a week, just 40mg. It helped save my holiday from too much pain. I also arranged special assistance for my flight home. Saved me standing in queues and making it worse. I wasn't on RA meds then as I'd had a bad reaction to MTX. Please arrange assistance it'll be very helpful when you are coming home. Hope you can enjoy the rest of your holiday. X

[Whereisthesun]

Sounds like shin splints to me? If you walked 20 miles then I’d hazard a guess that sounds like a high possibility. I get it occasionally if I haven’t worn the best supportive footwear on a long walk. Hopefully it will clear soon. Keep doing what you’re doing ( ice and rest) don’t overdo anything and it should clear soon x

[Bails67]

I normally have this problem if I don’t wear by waking shoes. It takes awhile to go. Always make sure you have good, supportive walking shoes. I normally find taking it steady the next few days helps and it should ease.

[Runrig01]

shin splints. I’m suffering the same at the moment with my ankylosing spondylitis flaring. It’s where the tendon attaches to the bone, it gets inflamed, and is excruciating to weight bear on it. Sounds like you’re going the right thing - RICE. Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. If you can take regular nsaids that may help as well as a topical nsaid gel.

[Green230461]

My husband had this after walking up hills. He said it was incredibly painful doc said he had over done it and it would last six days, it did ! Gave him co codamol tablets. Get well soon 💐

[Biofreak]

It certainly sounds like shin splints to me. I've had shin splints after walking a lot and overcompensating with my left leg after breaking my toe on my right foot. Rest, Ice and and elevate the affected leg was the treatment. The physio also said that orthopedic insoles were recommended for me as I tended to walk slightly with my ankles turned in.

[Tired-fed-up]

I get shin splints if I walk too fast 😢. They are agony but should ease up after a few days. If it doesn’t ease I would ask for an X-ray when you get home just to make sure it isn’t a stress fracture. I got a stress fracture trying to do a 10,000 steps a day challenge a few years ago. I still walked on it for 2 weeks but it was agony.

[Evie3]

oh thats annoying…..I havent got any answers for you but hope someone on here does.

[helenlw7]

I had this a few years ago. The podiatrist I was seeing at that time said it was shin splints. It went after a few months. Enjoy your holiday.

[Hidden]

Short term fix is to wiggle your toes when you’re in bed. It will help relieve tension and keep the blood flowing. Compression socks will also help as they give gentle support..

[Sunshinereturns]

Thank you so much everyone. I feel you have all been absolutely right with the shin splint diagnosis as it is very much coming and going and thankfully it has settled down for now and am still able to have a lovely holiday. This advice board is really such an amazing resource - thank you so much to everyone who has helped x