Repeat shin fractures and cause information needed
 

It’s been a year since our son graduated with a degree in computer science.

His plan after four years was to get in even better shape physically and join the Navy. See the thread here:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/962941-question-about-joining-navy.html

Well, things have not worked out as planned. As a student athlete, he was used to swimming, running and weights year round, but he has fractured his shins/heels about 4-5 times in the past year, setting his plans back.

In thinking about it, he says it’s been going on for years. He just stopped running until he could run again.

MRI’s and doc visits haven’t come up with an answer to the repeated leg fractures.

He hasn’t given up on his dream, but he’s being realistic and looking for a job, while he works on the issue.

His next step is an endocrinologist.

I thought I’d ask the all knowing here on PPOT why he keeps fracturing his shin bones.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

PS. Anyone looking to hire a CS major?

Hold on. Like shin splints and keeps running on it to the point where he's fracturing the bone?
Overuse injury, no?

Maybe talk to a physical therapist?

Is he getting shin splints, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures or actually broken bones?

Why exactly is he going to an endocrinologist, is his lab work jacked up or something?

I can't help with the medical question, but I have input on your "PS": He should look in the SF Bay Area. Have him check Indeed and start applying. Plenty of start ups and larger companies looking for solid newly minted graduates with a CS degree. It depends what he would like to do, but certainly should be a no-brainer to find an entry level job, especially if he is single and can show up without having to find a house for a family.


G

Stress fractures according to the doctor.

I’m not sure why the endocrinologist was recommended. I’ll have to ask him.


Our son, Dirk, did say he thinks it’s hormones, but I’m not sure what that is based on.

He was only running 8-10 miles per week. No shin splints. Just fractures.

He’s been to a PT and does all the recommended stretching, etc.

Is he at the top of his field in computer science? No need to look outside of the Carolinas (esp. RTP)....CA can't even compete....imo :). Computer Science degree, IBM r&d (advanced communications), killer super hi-tech career....retired at 48....11 years ago. Tell him to go kick butt and his future is his ;)

The Mayo Clinic has credible info on causes and treatment https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stress-fractures/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354063

My ‘expert’ armchair analysis says there are three factors:
1. The initial cause could be because of over exuberance getting into super shape and overdoing it. Youth seldom knows proper limits unless they have the patience and drive to research progressive training strategies and more importantly when enough is enough. Male hormones and competitiveness factor into this big time.
2. Proper Nutrition needed to maintain healthy bones.
3. Not being patient enough to completely heal before resuming physical activity and then not slowly phasing in that activity.

Best of luck

“Dr.” RSbob

Congratulations on your son earning his degree. His desire to serve is another well done in my book.

There are a million stories in the Naked City that is the military...unfortunately, whatever he decides, he'll need to get the shins fixed prior to entering any program in the military, officer or enlisted. Any commissioning path or enlisted entry program will be very difficult for him.

I wish him the best of health moving forward.

BTW, because I had my Tib and Fib broken while being hit by a car, I had lengthy issues with Lisfranc stuff: https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/lisfranc-injuries

I finally decided to relax and do the recommended rehab on the schedule the PT told me to follow....not easy for me since I knew more then I do now. Dirk has a few year to figure this out physically.

My shins have troubled me most of my life but recently found doing sprints on an outdoor university track with a rubber surface (rusty red color) has been problem free so far.

I only sprint one side of the straight-away each time around about a half a dozen times - panting/gasping and walking the rest, but any other surface including soft grass would set alarm bells off almost instantly.

I will be very interested in hearing what people tell you.

Thanks, guys.

He’s really bummed after planning this for so long. He’s read everything and talked to multiple people for four years to prepare himself mentally and physically.

SH, that’s exactly what he said about the military. Lots of running, no matter what path he takes. As a swimmer, it was 90% upper body.

I’ll update when we find out more.

With too much weight being put on the heel strike there could be other factors involved.
He may be running flat-footed for another reason.

When the body is not totally balanced evenly, something isolated can create a chain reaction of bad posture:
Such as a bad shoulder causes the shoulder blades to squeeze together. That pinches the top of the spine and causes them to lean forward in a protective fetal position arch. That pulls on the lower back. So someone might be feeling major pain in their back but the cause is really located in the shoulder.
You don't treat the back. You treat the shoulder and re-align the bad habits of the entire body.

I've had rolfing done on several occasions and it helped my posture tremendously (until I threw it out again doing something stupid). The last was 10 sessions, and it didn't start to take noticeable effect until after the middle or so. But afterwards, I would notice myself doing things naturally without thinking about it, while before I would had to consciously stretch out and gear up to do it the right way. I could type longer without my neck getting kinked. When I walked it felt like I was dancing effortlessly instead of dragging a heavy leg along. I felt balanced and natural.

Has the lad had a bone density test?

Not that I know of, but think it’s a good idea.

Back to the tech aspect....with zero exerpience...be willing to relocate ....I worked for peanuts...a happy tech peon....paid my dues like most of us...but never seriously considered up north or CA (just not for me)...seriously.

They are probably thinking of some metabolic bone disease, maybe thyroid.

It is more likely he went from sedentary to active too abruptly and did not properly recover following injuries.

Get a job ya bum! ;)

Check vitamin D levels.

He’s been active all his life with swimming and sports. Year round. He’s no slacker.

He’s very careful with what he eats and takes his vitamins. Super low body fat. Followed the docs directions to a T with PT as well.

I wonder if it’s some kind of bone issue that manifests itself with long runs.

Per my son: I had one done my junior year. Looked totally fine. They even asked me if I was a runner - guessing because my bones were denser than the other swimmers

I said let’s get another.