Shin splints?

Question
Hi,

My sister has been dealing with this for years, she never had trauma to the area. When she runs, she gets nickel to quarter size painful bumps of fluid along the anterior tibialis. They pop up after only a few minutes and go away 30 minutes or so after stopping the activity. If she pushes through the pain and continues the exercise the pain can be felt for days, tho the bumps are gone.  This is not only caused by running, also skiing, and even ice skating aggravate it. The muscle is not fibrous and there is no pitted edema. No noticeable lack of strength in dorsiflexion. Any ideas for ways to strengthen, prevent or heal? What do you think it is? I've read a bit about compartment syndrome and it seems different to me.

Thanks in advance for any advise and knowledge you may provide.

Answer
Mandi, thanks for asking the question.  I'm sorry it's taken me a couple of days. I had to do some investigation.  This seems to be a very unique case.  I've never seen or heard of this.  I did some research online and didn't see anything similar to this.  I also asked Jeff Lau, a Physical Therapy Doctor with many years of experience and a specialty certification in orthopedics and he had never seen it either.  That being said I do have suggestions and advice.

1) Get her leg imaged. A medical doctor have this done.
2) Don't push through the pain.  Pain is our friend and is telling us something is wrong. See "Pain, Pain, Pain"
3) Experiment slowly with forefoot running. I've seen this cure many ailments caused from running.  See Barefoot running professor. Here Dr. Lieberman talks about barefoot running.  The same foot strike pattern he demonstrates may be done with regular shoes on as well.

I'm sorry I couldn't provide an answer on exactly what is going on.  Please let me know if you have any other questions or if any other symptoms arise.