My 15 yr old daughter new HS freshman joined the Cross Country team and is awesome (if I may add!) but is sffering desperately from shin splints..First , just on one leg , now both..has won 4 medals but now the pain is all consuming, have done the RICE and has not been helping...will get new shoes (less than 3 months old) is there anything else anyone can suggest...todays meet, she came in 3rd to last and was crying...Would appreciate any suggestions......Thanks ! Whoochiemama2

If she is stilll running everyday or vigerusly once a week then she is not following RICE. Rest low intesity stength exercise plus mild stretching. To maintain cardeo switch to cycling.

The way she runs could be the culprit either over training or bad form like over striding.

Things need to be adressed soreness from activity is normal crying from pain and frustation is not.

What has her coach done?

It could take 3days to recover or it could takr 6-8 weeks depending on injury. Repeatedly injuring will only prolong the rcover time.

Dear Wmama2
Athletes prone to developing shin splints usually have flat feet, other conditions which may increase one's suseptibility to developping shin splints may also include a poor history of stretching/strengthening routine and wearing improper shoe gear. I would suggest that you take your daughter to a podiatrist for an evaulation/biomechanical exam and of evaulation for shoe gear and/or orthotics.

Good-luck and thank-you for contacting foot.com,
SBarlizo, DPM, C ped
foot.com expert