Shin pain: causes and consequences

Pain in the shin is a rather complicated problem for a person, because it can be a symptom of such a disease as thrombosis, which is life-threatening. And thrombosis is not the only disease that is signaled by pain in the shin. It happens that such pain in the shin is associated with diseases that are still in the initial stage of development - then they can be quickly cured. How to distinguish a dangerous situation from one that can be quickly dealt with?

[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ]

Causes of Shin Pain

• The concentration of a certain type of salts in the blood is reduced, for example, magnesium, calcium, potassium, magnesia. Diuretics may be the cause of the reduced concentration of salts.
• A person takes medications without control: statins (they can cause destruction or deformation of muscle tissue, thereby reducing the level of cholesterol in the blood).
• Muscle spasms, primarily as a result of prolonged stress, physical overexertion.
• Rupture or rupture of ligaments or tendons due to muscle injuries
• Fracture of the bones of the tibia, ankle joint
• Meniscus strain or injury
• Vein thrombosis (deep or superficial), vascular occlusion
• Inflammation of the tendons
• Meniscus damage.
• Atherosclerosis that occurs in the vessels of the legs
• Infectious lesions of the tissues of the leg
• Deformation, rupture, stretching, trauma, damage to nerve fibers (at risk are smokers, people who abuse alcohol, and diabetics).
• The so-called trap syndrome, when the shin is pinched or compressed as a result of injury or muscle strain
• Overuse fractures
• Muscle contracture is the so-called muscle congestion due to overexertion and heavy loads.
• Inflammation of the periosteum of the tibia
• Tears – large and small – in the calf muscles
• Varicose veins, torn ligaments located under the knee
• Inflammation of the tuberous surface of the tibia
• Inflammation of the top of the kneecap - so-called jumper's knee
• Tumor or osteoma of the leg or femur
• Abuse of drugs such as corticosteroids
• Malignant tumors of the tibia bone
• A disease called Paget's disease (cancer of the nipples of the breast)
• Raynaud's syndrome
• Muscle compartment syndrome
• Compression of the nerve roots located in the lower leg

Smoker's pain

This pain is localized in the shin of people who smoke often and a lot. If you stop smoking, the pain may go away. If after resting a person stops feeling pain, then there are no serious health problems. But if even in a calm state a person still suffers from pain, then there is a serious reason to see a doctor for diagnosis. The heart and blood vessels of a smoker are subject to special stress and can provoke pain in the shin. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the cardiovascular system.

Pain due to thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis can only be dangerous if complications arise that can be life-threatening. These complications can occur if a person has a blood clot that has come loose. If the risk of a blood clot developing is high and it can travel to the lungs or brain, then the person needs surgery to remove the clot, otherwise death is possible. If a person has blood clots in their veins, they may experience ankle pain.

Pain due to compression of ankle tissues

Compression of tissues can be the result of a strong impact on the shin, compression by a heavy object, or trauma to the shin. This can cause bleeding into the soft tissues of the shin, causing swelling and pain. Blood vessels can also be compressed with such trauma, causing a red or blue hematoma to appear on the skin.

It happens that when squeezing, there is a hemorrhage in the muscles, at the same time the vessels and nerve fibers are squeezed. Because of this, swelling of the leg occurs, which becomes very hot, changes color and pain syndrome appears in the shin area.

If the muscle tissue and nerve fibers are damaged, this process can be irreversible, the pain can be very strong. In this case, the muscles atrophy, the foot cannot perform its functions, doctors call this condition a dropped foot. A person cannot bend it, which means he cannot walk, ride a motorcycle or bicycle, or even swim.

Shin pain after open fractures

This pain can occur with osteomyelitis, especially osteomyelitis of the leg, in which the immune system is greatly weakened, and then surgery may be required.

[ 8 ], [ 9 ], [ 10 ], [ 11 ], [ 12 ], [ 13 ]

Meniscus injury

In this case, a person may also be bothered by pain in the shin. It is more typical for people who play sports and run a lot: football players, runners, basketball players. Meniscus damage is most often treated by surgery.

[ 14 ]

Shin pain due to muscle spasm

Such pain can provoke pain in the shin. The treatment is very simple - massages, painkillers, ointments with analgesics. And everything will be fine - pain in the shin will stop bothering.

Is there any danger due to shin pain?

It depends on the disease that the pain signals. If we are talking about thrombosis – and such patients make up more than 50% of those who complain of pain in the shin – it is dangerous. A thrombus can break off and block a vein or travel through the bloodstream to other organs, such as the lungs. If a thrombus blocks the lungs, a person dies instantly. Moreover, the size of venous thrombi does not matter for a person’s life – both a small and a large thrombus can be dangerous.

It is very important to make a correct diagnosis when there is pain in the shin. If the presence of blood clots is determined, the doctor will continue the examination methods. To know exactly how to fight for a person's life. If there are no blood clots in the veins, then the treatment will be easier and more effective. The main thing is to start it on time. That is, as early as possible.

The mechanism of pain in the shin

The tissues of the shin are permeated with many nerve endings. They are in the muscles, tendons, ligaments, vessels, and tissues that surround them. Any part of the shin can become inflamed, and the nerve endings too. Then the pain is transmitted through the nerve receptors. For example, with deep vein thrombosis, the walls of their vessels or the tissues around it can become inflamed. This causes irritation of the nerve endings and pain in the shin.

The most common causes of shin pain are constant loads on the legs. This can be either sitting or standing in one place for a long time or, conversely, a lot of walking, running, jumping, and various types of movement. Pain in the shin can occur when a person first performs a lot of physical activity and then suddenly stops exercising and takes a break. Muscles, ligaments, and tendons that are used to being in good shape now become immobilized, so they can hurt from changes in load.

The cause of pain can also be injuries - dislocations, sprains, cracks - any damage to the shin. Then you need immediate medical consultation.

Structure of the shin. Where does shin pain come from?

The shin is the part of the leg that goes from the knee to the heel. It contains the tibia and fibula. The kneecap is attached to them. Below, in the heel area, the tibia and fibula pass into the ankles - the inner and outer - these are processes of the tibia. These bones are connected along their entire length by membranes.

Doctors conventionally divide the shin into two parts - the front and the back. The border of these parts is located along the inner edge of the tibia, the other border runs from the back of the outer edge of the ankle to the back of the head of another bone - the fibula.

The shin muscles are located along the front of the shin bones and along the back. Physiologists divide the shin muscles into 3 large groups. These are the anterior muscles, which help to extend the toes and the foot itself, the outer muscles, which allow the foot to bend and rotate, and also move the foot outward. And the posterior muscles, which help the foot and toes bend - these muscles are called gastrocnemius. Most often, shin pain does not require a long time to treat, unless the cause is serious illness. But what causes shin pain?

The nature of pain in the shin

Pain in the shin first appears below the knee on the outside of the legs (this is the area of the tibia). This is a length of more than 10-15 cm. Pain can occur during heavy physical exertion, and after they are reduced or stopped, the pain subsides.

If pain in the shin occurs during physical exercise, then you need to stop these exercises so that the pain subsides.