Shin injury numbness ??

[ukyoss]

Ok i am about 90 % positive this injury is a result of over use but i a not 100 % sure.  I run about 20 miles a day ,weigh 140 lbs at 6ft . The other day i did a very intense 12 mile run  the next day i woke up and the area around the Tibials anterior was slightly swollen   and midly sore if  you massaged the area . But what worries me is it also feels kind of numb in about a 2-3 inch area where i think i pulled the muscles .Its kind  of a tight numbness that is not completly numb but more a slight numbness . The rest of the calf and shin are fine and are not numb or sore at all just a 3 inch area on the right side of the right shin  about 1-2 inchs below the knee. Is that kind of numbness normal in a muscle pull . I had a friend who does massages check my back s well  during  massage and my back felt fine and does not hurt. I did have a sharp pain in my calf about half way up the calf  about 3 days before this happened so  the two might be related  any ideas ??? Thanks..

[Michael L Gross, MD]

You may have developed an exertional compartment syndrome. The muscles in the lower leg sit it four compartments separated by a dense tissue known as fascia.  When the compartments become swollen from overuse, the fascia cannot expand, the compartments become tight, and the circulation is cut off.  The earliest signs are pain, numbness can be a late finding.  If this persists or recurs, see your physician.