Shin pain

Question
Thank You sincerely for your prompt response.  It is purely a muscle fatigue issue, so I was wondering if it is common thing for new skaters to complain about.  Hopefully there is something I can do with my skating form to help me.  Next time I skate, I will try to focus on standing up straighter; perhaps both problems (shins and lower back) will get a little better.  Perhaps my high center of gravity (Skinny legs, biggish belly!) has me constantly fighting to stay balanced!

Thanks again.

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Followup To
Question -
Hello Pat,

I have a problem with my shin muscles while inline skating.  They begin to hurt immediately, and swell up beyond belief.  The pain radiates from just under my knee, all the way down to the top of my foot (basically the whole muscle).  I have to rest so often, that it is not even a good workout and I'm thinking of giving it up altogether.  It hurts so bad that I have trouble driving afterwards!  

Oh yeah - and my lower back also becomes very sore quite quickly.

help me please!
Answer -
Hi Rob,
  I personally have never heard of anyone's shins swelling up and hurting immediately.  Normally when someone skates for to long, especially beginners, their shins may hurt and possibly have a little swelling where the top of the boot hits your shin.  But I have to say I'm clueless as to what's going on with your muscles.

  I'm not a doctor but could you possibly be allergic to the material that the boot is made of and having contact with your skin makes it swell?  Are the boots too tight and put to much pressure on your shin?

  If you don't think it's either of the above ideas, you may want to try regular indoor roller skating for a little bit to see if you legs react the same way.  If they feel fine then it may be 1 of 2 things.  Your muscles just aren't ready for roller blading (which is more strenuous than roller skating) or you might actually be allergic to the material in the roller blade boot.

  Try roller skating for a while to build your muscles, then go back to the roller blades but this time leave them a little looser at the top and make sure you put some kind of padding directly against your skin where the boot hits your shin.  Hopefully this will help.

   If not........I would seek out a sports doctor and he may have the answer for you.   

   As far as your lower back becoming sore?  That is not terribly uncommon at first.  It's usually caused from leaning forward to much to try to balance and push.  You would have to try to stand up a little straighter to take the pressure off your lower back.  By doing this you would have to bend your knees a little more to push but on the other hand, by bending your knees more, your shins would take more pressure.   It's a vicious circle of trial and error.

   If you're a beginner skater you may want to take a few lessons at your local rink to see if they can properly possition you over your skate so you can overcome your pain.

   If you don't think this is the problem then I would definitely seek a sports doctors opinion.

   I hope some of this helps you a little .  It's a process of elimination.  It's hard to guess what's going on without seeing you skate.

Take care and if I can help any further, please fee free to write again.

Pat  

Answer
Hi Rob,
    You mentioned that it's purely a muscle fatigue issue?  Well, if fatigue is really what it is........yes fatigue is very common.  The thing that worries me is that it's "not" common for the muscles/leg to swell up.  

    Fatigued muscles may hurt or burn or ache but they shouldn't swell up like you mentioned.  Shin Splints are also very common when doing any kind of out of the ordinary leg exercises.  Those are very painful and take time to heal.  You may want to do a little research on the internet to find the symptons for Shin Splints.  If that's what you have, you should stay off your skates for quite a while.

    But if you are ready to try skating again, place some kind of pad between your skin and the boot.  Then try standing up a little straighter when you skate and see if that helps.

    If none of that helps, I would certainly seek a professional as to what's happening because your description does not sound very common.

   Keep me posted & good luck

Pat