Cannellitis is an inflammation in the shin bone, the tibia, or the muscles and tendons that are inserted in that bone. Its main symptom is the strong pain in the shin felt when doing high impact exercises, such as running. Despite being common in runners, it can also appear in athletes of football, tennis, cycling, gymnastics, among others.
The main cause of shin pain is, in fact, physical exercises that have a repetitive impact, but it can also be the result of the practice of exercises on irregular surfaces, lack of stretching and even genetic conditions. Thus, one of the best forms of prevention is to stretch before exercise, to prepare the muscle for physical activity, and gradually increase the volume of the exercise to avoid not only cannellitis but also other injuries.
The treatment is simple, being indicated to apply ice in the region to relieve the pain. It is also recommended to seek guidance from a physical therapist for better guidance and thus have a faster and more effective recovery.
What to do?
It is advisable to rest, put ice on the spot to relieve pain and, in more serious conditions, use anti-inflammatories and analgesics prescribed by the doctor, such as paracetamol or dipyrone. The important thing is not to ignore the pain.
However, physiotherapy is also important to make the treatment result more effective and long lasting. The physiotherapist will help from:
- Indication of exercises to strengthen the leg muscles; Indication of stretching exercises; Advice on the ideal footwear for the type of physical activity according to the step; Correction of movement; Gradual reintegration to physical activities.
In addition, when returning to exercise, it is important to massage the muscle with ice for three to five minutes to prevent or relieve pain.
When to run again?
Running back can happen in weeks or months from the start of treatment. This time varies according to the actions taken since the first symptom occurred. If you persist in exercising even when you feel pain, the recovery process may take longer and reintegration into sport may also be difficult.
To start running again as soon as possible and reduce the chances of feeling pain again, it is important to stop exercising for at least two weeks, make ice packs in the region and seek guidance from a physical therapist.
What can cause shin pain
A common cause of shin pain is repetitive-impact physical activity, such as running, which is why many runners report this type of pain. Other causes that can lead to cannellitis are:
- Use of inappropriate shoes; Excessive leg exercises; Excessive load; High impact physical activities; Exercise on uneven ground; Wrong step; Genetic factors; Lack of stretching.
The pain can also be the result of fractures, local infections and even tumors, but these causes are more rare. Usually the pain arises from repetitive and high impact efforts. Find out what are the 6 most common causes of running pain.
How to prevent
To avoid shin pain it is important to stretch to prepare the muscle for activity. It is also important to pay attention to the type of shoes used, if it is ideal for the type of step, and the surface on which the exercise is performed. In addition, it is recommended to perform exercises to strengthen the leg and gradually increase the volume of exercise to avoid further injuries. Discover the best exercises to strengthen your legs.
Pain should not be ignored. As soon as you start feeling it, it is best to stop exercising and stay at rest until the swelling and pain cease.
