Shin Pain Top of Tibia, Short and Sharp

Hi there

I was just wondering if anyone has any idea what is causing me pain in my left leg. I experience a short sharp pain, (its also like a burning pain a bit) right at the top of my tibia in the shin bone whenever my knee passes over the top of my foot such as bending down and sometimes going down stairs, doing one legged squats etc.

It never gives me problems when doing exercise just like in the mornings walking down the stairs or picking something up that I have dropped. I train martial arts alot and have never had a problem in the actual class just when alot of pressure is applied to the ball of my foot.

It does not hurt to press and is the same as the other leg in appearance. I have been able to be fine for 2 years with it but started hurting me recently as I hurt my knee (another story) and have been limping on the ball of my left foot.

Any ideas?

I have/had this too
stretch the shins after u warm up the legs
start slow this is the full Range of motion ...after much practice Attachment 887

Do you feel pain right under your pattela? It could be a patelar tendon tendinite (the movement of your knee passing over your foot brings a lot os tension in this tendon)
Try streching your hamstrings and quadriceps and using 20 min of ice over your pain. But would be good to have someone checking your knee.

Hi guys thanks for the advice. It may well be patella tendonits but I don't feel it in my patella its more in the bone. I stretch pretty much everyday anyway so im fairly flexible but will add the stretches you suggested.

The initial problem presented after lots of squats with heavy weight and poor form, I was on my toes too much which would make sense if it was tendonitis. I guess there is not much that can be done for that. I did initially try resting the injury for a couple of months but I think because we walk so much anyway its hard.

Sometimes you can feel more on the tibia then in your patella. Probably your tendon is still injuried since you didn't have a proper treatment. There is another possibility of patela-femural disfunction (which is multi-factorial, but you should go to a physiotherapist for a proper assessment and orientation. It's impossible to diagnose someone like this.
I can give you one orientation: whenever you are doing squads dont let your knee pass your toes (this will force your muscles and not your joint and tendon)

Its an old injury its just frustrating that it niggles me now and again. I actually injured my LCL on my knee anyway. Im only in my early 20's and have about 5 different injurys that I need to fix.

If I injured the tendon is there anything specific I can do to correct it.

You can contact a physiotherapist for a proper treatment. You are young so you have a healthy tendon that's probably inflamed (if this is really your diagnose). But if this is an old injury it can be chronic, so would take longer to treat.

Hi Dear
Your pain and injury at the tibia tuberosity as per you mentioned that is at the top of the right shin, you’ve mentioned that you are working out frequently as well, so most probably that pain comes from inflammation at the tuberosity due to over use or whatever, anyway the inflammation at that area it’s called Osgood schlatter disease.
Anyway the treatment of it, is different in regard to its degree, in your case it’s chronic ; so you have apply something called tissue release and cold therapy simultaneously to this area to release all adhesions over there and this one should be applied by professional physiotherapist, in the same time you have to indulge in the exercises and daily activities gradually.
Hopefully I could benefit you.

Hi,

I did look into osgood schlatters but there is no visible sized bump nor is my leg tender to touch well no more than the other one anyway.

The pain is more inside of the tibia on the posterior side. It just feels like a stress pain. I did initally think stress fracture but being 2 years it would have healed by now.

I will see a physio when I can but there is always a waiting list and if I can figure out what it is then I can fix it.

Could it potentially be shin splints? I have had it before in the same leg but much closer to the ankle.

Hi,

Yes It could be....pls try something for me.....palpate you tibia from the knee joint to your ankle. Do you feel pain on your medial site? If you do , it can be a shin splints (still, its very hard to give a right diagnose without seen you).
For you to figure out what you have and after fix is really hard, because we (PT) have to do an assessment to discover whats wrong with you...and this envolves more then your history.
I wouldn't discarted to stress fracture.....

Hi Again

I tried papitating everything and compared to the other leg there was nothing that presented itself.

However, I did a couple one legged squats with my knee going over the foot very slowly. I actually realised that the initial site of pain is the patellar tendon but then as I go lower the pain moves to the inside but that may not have been the areawhen it originated.

I will defo see my physio about this when I get the chance.

I guess for now im fairly sure it is tendonitis, the initial problem started during heavy weightlifting and tendonitis is pretty common for this. I experience pain sometimes going down stairs which is also common for tendonitis. So I guess everything points to that.

Treatment Wise, Im on NSAID's anyway and I will try to ice everyday as well. From my research eccentric loading is apparently helpful so I will try some exercises (worst case scenario I just get stronger)

This is my basic non educated opinion on what is wrong. So I will try this until I see my physio.

Thanks for everyones help.

:o

Hi Fireblade, rss

Another tip: try to decrease your exercise level...just to help your knee get better. Also eccentric exercises are very good for tendonitis, because the main load goes to your muscle and not tendon. Try to do squats with a inclinator ramp (like the one we use to stretch calf) , like you're going downhill (this will help you keep your knee on the right place, not passing your foot)
IMPORTANT: do your exercise WITHOUT pain.....if you feel it, it will be causing you more inflammation, ok?
:)

Give us an update latter on, ok?
Feel better!!

I understand, I will take it easy. As I said I will be taking time off due to spraining my knee anyway probs about 4 weeks depending on what my GP says.
Thank you for all your help. I will try and get back when I have got a more professional opinion.

Hi there

I would recomend you to try manual therapy - Mulligan concept, its very effective for chronic symptoms and pain.

All the best