Why does my fibula hurt

Symptoms For all of the different causes of shin pain, athletes often complain first of pain, burning, or tightness along the shin. Symptoms of bone-related shin pain may include: Pain in a very focal area of the shin Pain during and after running Pain that gets worse over time Symptoms of muscle-related shin pain may include: Mild soreness Tightness or pressure in shins with running Pain only with running, relieved by rest No pain when pushing on the bone Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the foot Causes Shin pain is generally the result of one or more of the following issues: Body mechanics refers to the way the body moves while in motion.

Athletes may experience pain due to poor body mechanics. The way the body moves can be influenced by different factors. For example, how a runner runs may be affected by foot type, running style, and hip and core abdominal and back muscle strength.

Too much exercise can become a problem if athletes increase too quickly. Bone density bone strength. Softer bones break easier, so if there is a stress fracture that is not explained by poor mechanics or rapid increases in training, bone density might be the problem.

A stress fracture is suspected when shin pain becomes more severe, more localized in a focal area , or if there are risk factors for weaker bones such as the female athlete triad. X-rays may show a stress fracture if the problem has been present long enough to see a healing response 4—6 weeks. However, x-rays can appear normal even when a stress fracture is known to be present. In order to confirm the presence of a stress fracture, it may be necessary for magnetic resonance imaging MRI.

Athletes with compartment syndromes will have normal x-rays and no evidence of bony abnormalities with bone scan or MRI.

Compartment syndrome is confirmed by taking a pressure measurement through a needle inserted into the muscle both before and after exercise. Nerve pain is often associated with tingling, pins and needles, and or numbness. Damage to the peroneal nerve usually occurs when there is a blow to the side of the knee, which squashes the nerve where it sits just below the skin. Alternatively, there may be pressure higher up the nerve where the sciatic nerve branches off from the lower part of the lumbar spine.

The pain can travel down the nerve and may result in pain on the outside of the knee, with or without associated back pain. Medial knee pain typically occurs because of a deterioration of cartilage. It can also follow a sports injury or other type of trauma to the knee.

The meniscus is cartilage that provides a cushion between bones in a joint. They serve as cushions between the thigh and shin bones. A meniscus can tear or become damaged if the knee is rotated or put under pressure, most commonly during sports or athletic activities. The medial collateral ligament MCL runs along the outside of the inner knee to stabilize the joint.

If the ligament overstretches, an MCL sprain may occur. The MCL can also tear partially or fully. An MCL injury most commonly occurs after force is applied to the outer knee, such as in contact sports.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that breaks down cartilage, causing the bones in the joints to grind together. If one experiences inner knee pain while putting pressure on the joint, such as when walking up and down stairs or sitting down in a chair, they may have osteoarthritis.

Because this pressure causes the pain, symptoms may get more severe as the day goes on. Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease that can also cause inner knee pain. Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation in the joints, so people with rheumatoid arthritis may experience severe inner knee pain in the morning, with symptoms decreasing throughout the day.

A fibula stress fracture is a small fracture or hairline crack in the bone. It is not as common as a stress fracture of the tibia. Here we explain the symptoms, causes, treatment, and rehabilitation of a stress fracture of the fibula.

The long bones of the lower leg are the tibia and fibula. The main function of the fibula bone is as a point of attachment for many of the muscles of the lower leg.

The tibia is the thicker, weight-bearing bone of the two whereas the fibula has much of its surface for muscle attachment. This results in traction and twisting forces placed on the fibula bone from the surrounding muscles, which over time cause a stress fracture. It is primarily an overuse injury. However, there are a number of factors which can increase the likelihood of sustaining one. Rest from training and competition until the local bone tenderness is gone.

Substitute running for swimming or focus on the upper body. Anything that works the calf muscles is not likely to allow sufficient rest to enable healing to take place.

A stress fracture is unlikely to show up on an X-ray until two or three weeks into the healing process, although a bone scan or MRI may give more information. Rest from running and other aggravating activities for a period of 6 weeks is often recommended.

After the period of rest is completed a further X-ray should be taken, at which point a stress fracture may show up along the line of the fracture, seen as new bone tissue.

Wearing a heat retainer calf support will protect the muscles of the lower leg reducing the load on the fibula bone. Before returning to full activity stretching and strengthening exercises should be done on a regular base to ensure the muscles are in good condition, strong enough and flexible enough to cope with the demands of sports training. Any biomechanical dysfunction such as overpronation should be corrected to avoid the injury recurring.

Look at training methods to determine if overtraining, increasing workload too soon, or poor shoe selection is a factor. Running shoes should be good for around miles or six months.

After that, the quality of the midsole will begin to deteriorate so the level of cushioning and support may be reduced. A professional therapist may apply sports massage techniques to the muscles of the lower leg. This will help restore the condition of the muscles making them flexible and supple. Pain, swelling, and tenderness are some of the most common signs and symptoms of a fractured fibula. Other signs and symptoms include:. People who have injured their leg and are experiencing any of the symptoms should consult a doctor for a diagnosis.

The following steps occur during the diagnosis process:. Bone scans, computerized tomography CT , and other tests may be ordered to make a more precise diagnosis and judge the severity of the fibula fracture. Treatment for a fibula fracture can vary and depends greatly on how severe the break is.

A fracture is classified as open or closed. In an open fracture, either the bone pokes through the skin and can be seen or a deep wound exposes the bone through the skin. Open fractures are often the result of a high-energy trauma or direct blow, such as a fall or motor vehicle collision.

This type of fracture can also occur indirectly such as with a high-energy twisting type of injury. The force required to cause these types of fractures means that patients will often receive additional injuries. Some injuries could be potentially life-threatening. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, there is a 40 to 70 percent rate of associated trauma elsewhere within the body. Doctors will treat open fibula fractures immediately and look for any other injuries.

Antibiotics will be administered to prevent infection. A tetanus shot will also be given if necessary.