Pain in both inner calfs and right below knee caps?

Question

im 17 and i play soccer.. we practice everyday on turf and during practice and right after i have pain in both calfs and above the shins and below the knee cap.. idk if its due to this hard turf surface or what?? anyone know what my injurys are, what caused them and what i can do to heal them???

Answer 1

As you are a young active person and based on your presentation, my diagnosis would be Traction apophysitis of the tibial tubercle caused by overuse. (fancy name=Osgood Schlatter disease). but don't worry it's benign.

To make it simple to you, your anterior muscle thigh(quadriceps) has it's attachment on the upper shin just below the knee cap. when you play soccer or any active sports, it causes continuous forceful traction on the bone and cause inflammation which result in pain. What you need is rest and try to avoid sports for sometime. The pain resolves spontaneously within few weeks or you may have to take some pain killers in consultation with your doctor. It may take upto months or even years sometime but it will eventually heal by itself.

About your calf pain, it's due to the accumulation of too much lactic acid in your calf muscles from exercise...i hope u maintian hydration, do good warm up before exercise, and also cool down and stretching after exercise.

I hope the above information help you. Please do not take any medication without consulting your doctor.thank you.

Answer 2

It's called shin splints and yours is resulting from the excessive shock from the surfaces you're playing on. You must stop to get relief. Some people tend to suffer more from shin splints than others; it can't be helped. You'll either have to play less frequently or change venues to an earth surface. Advise your friends the same before they start to suffer damage also. Best wishes.