You have indicated that you have outside shin pain

Below are some specific descriptions of symptoms related to a running outside shin injury or outside shin pain.

Decide which description most closely matches the outside shin problem you are experiencing then click on
the button next to it. You will be presented with a likely diagnosis for your outside shin injury and advice as to
what to do.

You can diagnose other running injuries here.

  • Step 1
  • Step 2
  • Step 3 - current step
  • Step 4

Click on the description that most closely matches your symptoms:

Symptom 1

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  • Pain on the outer surface or the back of the shin, about 2 inches below the knee joint.
  • The bony prominence in this area on the outside of the knee (the head of the fibula bone) may be more obvious on the affected leg, compared with the other side.
  • Movement of the ankle may increase the pain.
  • Running is painful, although it may improve the longer you run, only to return at the end.
  • It often feels like it needs to be stretched, but is difficult to do.

Symptom 2

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  • A dull pain (usually on the lower third of the shin bone) that occurs after running long distances, and worsens the more you run.
  • The pain slowly increases during your run, reaching a peak at the end of your run.
  • On successive runs the pain comes on at an earlier stage and becomes severe sooner, eventually forcing you to finish your run early.
  • There is a very focal tenderness on the bone.
  • A local swelling is often present.
  • X-ray will often not show the fracture until two or three weeks after it has started to heal. Another X ray must be taken 4 weeks after the first to confirm the presence of a fracture.

Symptom 3

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  • Diffuse pain on the outside part of the shin when running.
  • Weakness or difficulty lifting the ball of the foot off the floor (i.e. walking on the heels).
  • Pain when pointing your toes.
  • Pain increases during running to a point that running may be difficult or impossible.
  • There may be a tingling, cramping, burning, aching or feeling of fullness in the outside of the shin, particularly during and after running.
  • Pain goes after rest but returns with running.

Symptom 4

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  • Pain in the outside of the shin when running.
  • The pain is deep, diffuse and difficult to locate.
  • Pain increases during running to a point that running may be difficult or impossible.
  • There may be a tingling, cramping, burning, aching or feeling of fullness in the outside of the leg below the knee, particularly during and after running.
  • Pain goes after rest but returns with running.
  • It is a common occurence following a recurrent, or badly sprained ankle.

Symptom 5

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  • Pain in the shin when running.
  • The pain can be deep, diffuse and difficult to locate, but is normally to the inside of the shin bone.
  • Weakness or difficulty going onto toes.
  • Pain when pointing toes.
  • Pain increases during running to a point that running may be difficult or impossible.
  • There may be a tingling, cramping, burning, aching or feeling of fullness in the leg below the knee, particularly during and after running.
  • Pain goes after rest but returns with running.