What could be the cause of shin pain that eases with ice?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have pain in my shin. There is one spot that in particular hurts. It hurts no matter what I am doing. The pain started when I started jumping rope yesterday. Earlier in the week, I started doing snatches for the first time and I may have not had proper form. I have now stopped. The only time I get some relief is when I put ice on it, and the pressure that the ice packs give help a bit. The pain is only in my left leg on the bottom half. Sometimes the pain moves into my foot in the area on the foot bone between my big toe and second toe. My height is 5' 6" and I weigh about 140 kg.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

From your description, the likelihood of a stress fracture is minimal unless you are grossly Vitamin D deficient. There is a good chance this is tendonitis or periostitis which are both inflammatory conditions as that arise in the tendon and lining of the bone respectively. The fact that rest and ice help favors the above two conditions. I suggest that you stop skipping at the moment. Take NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) as available. Ice the area regularly three to five times a day and see how you are at the end of next week. If pain is better then gradually return to physical activity. If no improvement then seek professional help for a complete examination and suitable blood tests.