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Leg/Shin Issue

Jeremy85
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Hello. I realise this might sound a bit more like anxiety but I'm just hoping for some opinions.

About 1 month ago I started getting a sharp sore pain on the front of my left shin. Mostly in one specific little area, about midway down, nearer the ankle, seemingly right beside the shin bone, presumably the muscle. I should point out that I am a runner and have been for decades and have had similar issues before (I think shin splints), but not for a log long time. But this came out of the blue whilst I was walking.

At first it was really sore and I was walking with a limp, yet the area wasn't really badly swollen (a little thicker looking) and not overly red or anything. It did seemingly get somewhat better but foolishly I did run here and there which definitely put me back to square one a few times. So I have been using Deep Heat, then Deep Freeze, and an ankle support which somewhat helps. I have noticed that after about 3 days it does calm down and I can walk normally but if I walk for long periods (or run about a 1 mile+) it starts back again and remains sore for around 3 days. I have been to an Osteopath and he used ultrasound which he said would highlight a possible hairline fracture with pain but everything was okay. I did use an icepack recently and that took the (little) swelling away, but it mostly came back the next day.

So I realise this could be a simple muscle issue but after doing some online reading I kinda scared myself with the possibilities of cancer, which I had no real idea could happen somewhere like the shins. I don't have a visible ''lump'' exactly but with my feet flat on the floor, then raising my toes and stretching the shin muscles you can see a slight raised (swollen?) area right next to the shin. It doesn't have a shape or anything, I guess its more of a bump that I'm guessing is just the muscle? Like a muscle knot? But you only really notice it when I stretch in that way. Just standing normally it isn't really noticeable (nothing sticking out or with a shape).

So am I being overly paranoid here? :)

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    Hello Jeremy85, 

    I know you have seen an osteopath, but I would if you haven't done so already also give your GP a call. You are obviously worried about this and your GP will be in the best position to tell you what it might be and also give you advice on how to deal with this issue. It's very likely to be a simple muscle issue but only a doctor will be able to diagnose you and put your mind at rest. So give your GP a call as soon as you can. 

    Looking things up online will rarely give you answers even though we are all tempted and guilty of doing it. It often only makes you even more anxious and tends to flag cancer as a possibility for anything when it is often the least likely scenario. So keep well away from the temptation to ask Google bearing in mind that Google cannot be trusted with medical information and certainly cannot diagnose you. 

    I hope you manage to speak to a doctor soon about this so that you can get it sorted as it does sound uncomfortable. Other members of our community might have experienced this before and I hope that they will be along shortly to share their experience with you. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

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