ok- i think i can help you now althogh against my doctors orders to not go back to work :) i have use of only one hand and a fuzzy head, but i want to help if i can. it would be best if you were here to eval. and treat, but i will make sure you are doing everything you can there. i don't know what you do know (which i am sure is a lot already - so i apologize for redundancies. (and i make a gen. disclamer for spelling with the challenges of the moment). also because i am only weakly connected here i will post sections so as not to have to lose more than i wish to retype... I already lost it – so it’s onto word… so back to the “shin splints” and/or compartment syndrome. The distinction btw the 2 dxs can be confusing and open for differing opinions and too much for me to discuss through post – but I will say that the cause and conservative treatments are similar. Basic causes that might involve you include but not limited to an inherent muscle imbalance (calf m vs. anterior muscle); training changes (longer distances, frimer surfaces, worn out running shoes (new shoes can be a problem too); running uphill and even more troublesome – downhill; change in gait for reasons such as fatigue, injury or pain from training and the obvious – lack of wt. training to specific muscles involved and lack of flexibility (calf mainly, but also ant. muscles and other long leg muscles). Help for this common infliction? Again, differinig opinions… I say do what makes sense to you. Apply treatment to what appears to be the cause/problem. If you are tight (you cannot easily balnce on flat feet squatting is a quick test) – stretch the calf ms – especially the deeper calf m you stretch with knee bent and don’t be concerned with stretching muscles in good length- except after a run if tightness develops. (I ran an entire marathon without any stretching witout neg consequence because my muscle lengths are not a problem). If you strengthen the muscles that lift your foot – the tissue tolerance level increases – most important are eccentric muscle contractions (muscles lengthening under load) – if you need suggestions let me know. I am convinced that the problem you experience comes mostly from when your heel hits the ground, with sudden intense forces towards foot drop – your muscles in the front have to very quickly and forcefully contract under the eccentric load. Add increased range of motion running downhill, lack of shock absorbtion in running surface and in shoe, fatigue, yesterday’s pain and you get the picture. Running up hill requires you to lift your forefoot more and so tightness in the calf just adds to the load demands. Other things to do - if you can – back away from training (doesn’t fly well with athletes, but I cannot neglect the best form of treatment  - then retrain under guidelines I could give you when you get home). If you want to keep running – ice right after running and heat later, deep tissue massage – rub hard to try and stretch the fascia (tough thin covering ), ibuprophen around the clock, avoid hard and uneven surfaces, run more on middle to forefoot, interval train (or walk/run), stop and rest, rub and stretch once in awhile in a run (not as good cardio, but I think it’s worth it), try wrapping the area with ace wrap if you can get one, try heel lift when running (1/4 inch) if you can find or make one, and strengthen isometrically and eccentrically inbetween – ask if you need suggestions. I am all of a sudden fading fast and I cannot afford to proof read – I can get back to you in a few days and definitely over the summer as prevention is the best thought. Loveya

Thanks, mom. I hope you recover quickly from that shoulder surgery!