Aching shin

[Lochy]

Just wondering if anyone else suffers from this symptom. Have had problem with knees, particularly my left knee but now have aching shin on same leg. I have posted before about my knee but the shin discomfort has only recently come to my PMR party! I feel I have shin splints but don’t feel I’m active enough to have that.

I started hydroxychloroquine at end of November and overall it has helped my knee discomfort. Not totally gone but my knee hasn’t swollen again but it can be stiff if I do too much.

My shin almost feels sensitive to the touch and bruised when it aches, then it goes away. There is nothing to see but it is pretty uncomfortable. I have been going to my yoga and Pilates the past few weeks so I wonder if they aggravate it, whatever it is?

I’m seeing my rheumatologist next week so I always like to go prepared but pretty sure she won’t have an answer to my shin pain!

Any ideas or theories welcome. Thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I get sore shins if I lean them against something - get bruises if it is a stepladder!!! But that is due to an anticoagulant. But I have had sore shins all the way through PMR - and the back of my heels, achilles area, is sort of tender too.

[Lochy in reply to PMRpro]

It’s all so frustrating. It’s like the PMR just works it’s way around your body. No sooner than I think it’s going all ok some new pain springs up! Oh, the joys.

[HeronNS]

My shins often ache at night. I have to use a hot water bottle to keep my legs warm and then they feel all right. I do not notice this when walking around, it's when I'm at rest, can happen sometimes if I sit for a long time, as at a play or movie.

[Rose54]

Hi

I woke up yesterday with sore shins

today the same feels like thay are bruised but have not knocked or banged them at all

I have been wear walking boots of the last two days , was wondering as thay come up further than my normal shoes and are a bit heavier if this has caused the problem .So interesting that other have had same problem

[Linny3]

Hi

I have had sore shins for 15 years. I always jump when the dr., while doing his exam touches them. My dr. says it is fibromyalgia. Who knows for sure. They only hurt when touched. This whole thing is quite the mystery.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Linny3]

They will say ANYTHING is fibro!!! I think Janet's doctor's suggestion of shin splints is more likely and you will see in this

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shin_...

it is suggested that gait abnormalities can cause them - even without sports injury. PMR can have a major effect on our gait - leading to back problems as well.

[Janet57]

When I started to do just a little bit of exercise I got horrible pains in the shins. I had no idea what it was so mentioned it at a GP Apt and he said shin splints. He advised to keep going, very gently, with the exercise and the pains would go away and they have. I’ve built up very slowly my walking - from a minute to much more over time. I also do aquacise now 2-3 times a week. It’s helping regain my strength and mobility. If I don’t/can’t exercise for a while the shin splints return but not as bad and go away quicker. My advice is to go gently, don’t do too much too soon.

[Lochy]

Thanks Janet. I have been exercising throughout my PMR, particularly walking so I’ve found it strange the shin pain appears now but having said that we should never be surprised the things that appear. Perhaps because I have been having problems with my left knee I’ve been walking oddly and that’s what’s causing it. Will keep going 🚶🏻‍♀️

[patriciawhite]

Its a long shot but I was advised by a doctor aching shins can be a sign of iron deficiency .Not sayinng thats what yours is but it was for me .Simple blood test .Worth a,mention

[Lochy in reply to patriciawhite]

Iron has been normal so far but had bloods done the other day so will check. Thanks

[patriciawhite in reply to Lochy]

Sorry should have put iron and vitamin

[maria40]

I get this from time to time but can't link it to anything specific. I too have knee problems but the shin pain doesn't seem related. I don't remember having this before PMR but that's a long time ago now.

[christine2715]

Yes I have had that - its as if the bone in your leg aches

[Lochy in reply to christine2715]

Yes it does feel as if it’s in the bone but I suppose that’s where shin splints are felt. Must practice improving my PMR gait.

[ncfaaeos]

I have also had sore shins lately in combination with a lot of pain in my buttocks and thighs (both sides but especially the left). My rheumatologist told me to increase my Pred dose from 12.5 mg to 15 mg; this has helped somewhat but I am not ever really pain free in these regions as I am in the shoulder/neck region, where the pains disappeared almost as soon as I began treatment (at 25 mg).

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ncfaaeos]

That sounds you possibly have piriformis syndrome - the spasmed piriformis muscle may be irritating the sciatic nerve and typically causes buttock pain. At higher doses of pred it does improve but then returns as the dose reduces. I have mine treated as a separate issue with physio and manual mobilisation of the spasmed muscles - which lets me manage the PMR with a lower dose of pred.

[ncfaaeos in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks PMR Pro. I did actually find mention of this on the Internet and it is interesting for me to hear that you are helped with physiotherapy. Before I was diagnosed with PMR, I was going to physiotherapy for a tight piriformis muscle. It didn't help mucgh then but I wasn't on prednisone at the time.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ncfaaeos]

As I said below: When I say physio I mean massage and manual mobilisation techniques - not back muscle strengthening exercises. You can't do them until the spasmed muscles have been released and are soft again.

[Lochy in reply to ncfaaeos]

I agree, my buttocks and knees feel the weakest whereas in the beginning it was my shoulders and torso. Upper body far more tolerant of exercise now and I have to be careful in Pilates and Yoga as I can feel my sciatic nerve pinch every so often. I used to be a runner and squash player and had strong well developed buttocks and thighs (in the nicest possible way!!) so I find it hard to feel pain and weakness in this area. Frustrating!

[ncfaaeos in reply to Lochy]

I feel your frustration, Lochy! I am an avid walker (have always had dogs) and I miss my long walks so much. My legs were always very strong but now they sometimes feel as if they will give way under me and I walk like a duck. Hopefully, this will all improve in time. I do try to go for a walk every day even though it is not easy. Hopefully, it will all improve in time

[ncfaaeos]

Thanks PMR Pro. I did actually find mention of this on the Internet and it is interesting for me to hear that you are helped with physiotherapy. Before I was diagnosed with PMR, I was going to physiotherapy for a tight piriformis muscle. It didn't help mucgh then but I wasn't on prednisone at the time.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ncfaaeos]

When I say physio I mean massage and manual mobilisation techniques - not back muscle strengthening exercises. You can't do them until the spasmed muscles have been released and are soft again.