Severe foot and shin pain - new skater

[gypzywingz]

Hi everyone. I started skating every other day two weeks ago after not skating for over twenty years. I am having severe shin pain and pain on the top of my feet. I thought that after two weeks of skating every other day it would have gone away. It is definitely my muscles. I can tell which muscles it is when I flex my toes towards my head. It’s those muscles you use on the top of your feet and at the muscles that run along my shin bone until, about, half way up my lower leg. I have tried lacing different ways, skipping laces, not lacing the top two holes, lacing the top two holes, etc. I have arch supports because I have really flat feet.

I skate outside mostly on R3’s with Radar Demons 95A (I just noticed they are Demons and not the Flat Outs that were suppose to come with my skates.) I went to the roller rink Thursday night and the same thing happened. I could only get around two times without it hurting so badly. At one point, my feet muscles were so weak and hurt so bad I couldn’t even lift my feet to push or get off of the rink. When I stand up straight or stop that helps alleviate the pain. I also stretch in-between, but nothing helps. Could it be because the wheels are so hard that I am putting to much stress on my shins skating on the hard road?

I am really frustrated. I don’t want to give up before I have begun. I have a boot camp and try-outs for roller derby in two weeks. But I guess that won’t happen if I can’t get past this pain. I try to skate through most of it, but when my muscles get so weak or cramped up I can’t life my feet.

I know I need to replace the wheels or at least get the ones I ordered if I am going to skate outside. Would changing the cushions to something else help at all?


Can someone help me, please?
Debbie

[~*~Chelsea~*~]

Hey Debbie!

Shin and even some foot muscle pain is normal with new skates. Skating outdoors on a rough surface can exacerbate the pain (your muscles clench more to help steady yourself and brace against the shock).

The hard wheels that you are riding definitely are part of the problem. The Flatout wheels may not even be soft enough - they are not ones that we especially like or recommend for outdoor skating for most people.

Too much skating and not allowing the injury to heal may also be playing a part. Make sure you spend a lot of time OFF skates stretching and strengthening those muscles.

For more information about shin splints, check out this site.

Best of luck, Debbie! Don't get discouraged- skating will eventually just be fun and feel good!

Chelsea

[gypzywingz]

Thank you Chelsea. I went roller skating yesterday on a tennis court. I did have some pain, but it didn't seem as bad as before. I stretched before, during and after. When I stretch before, I know my muscles aren't warm yet.
As soon as I get the money, I think I am going to order a pair of Krypto Route 65 wheels. I should be getting the Flat Out wheels this evening. It has been raining today so I will have to wait to try them out other than skating in my house : )

Thanks for the help and the link.
Debbie

[JigsawJanice]

Hey there
I've been skating for the past three years about three times a week and my shins still hurt every time. i think its just a weird muscle that cant be worked out. and as for the tops of your feet hurting thats more related to your feet trying to keep the balance and that makes them constantly tense and untense. which is just like a serious foot/toe workout hehe but you should warm up to skating better if you skate on a smooth surface so you dont have to work so hard to keep your balance. so if possible i would try and skate more at the rinks and spend a little less time on the road.

[Monster Medic- DV]

I started skating about a month ago and was having a problem with the same pains. What seemed to help was actually loosening the trucks on my skates a bit.

[Zoe<3]

That's a great tip Monster!

Loosening your trucks will let your skates move more, lessening the tension felt through out your feet and legs. It can also help with grip issues, as well as stopping techniques.