Shin cramp

I get pains in my shins. I thought they were called shin splints. I know they can be caused by too much walking, dancing and cycling in my case. They are very painful.

Athletes get these pains. See your GP, they will know the best treatment, or will refer you for physiotherapy. Don't just ignore them!

I also get this, usually at night but sometimes during exercise, but have no other ideas as to why other than those listed by*janthea*. My father used to get it so whether or not it can be something in the family, I just don't know. I also get cramp in the inside of my thigh, which is beyond painful.

I used to get them when I wore canvas mules where the pressure to keep them on was on the instep - seemed to pull on the leg.

I get them too - they are incredibly painful. In my case it is usually when I have done a lot of cycling. My sister also gets them and she cycles a lot, too. However, she read somewhere that eating citrus fruits can set them off (in her case not just the usual oranges, but pineapples affect her) and so she avoids eating these things and she says it has improved the situation. Hope that helps.

I have been doing a lot of driving over the last three weeks. I normally commute into London on the train, but because of the Olympics, I have been driving down to another site about 30 miles from my home. I suppose doing this every day could be affecting my shins. Normally I just drive around the town at the weekend.

Well. If you think about it, it's the same sort of movement (on the pedals) as wearing those silly shoes I wore. Who knows? But I do hope it gets better!

I used to get cramp in my left shin while driving, janthea. Constantly changing gear and having to use the clutch a lot in rush hour traffic usually brought it on. We changed our car to an automatic for various reasons and I soon noticed the difference. As the left foot isn't needed I can move my leg around a bit and wriggle my toes which does the trick

If you have cruise control you can wiggle both feet. At least you can on the motorway in France, not sure you can maintain a consistent speed on the UK roads - too much traffic...

I had to give up aqua aerobics because of severe cramp in my feet and shins. The doctor recommended tonic water but not on prescription . I don't think it does much good anyway. I also used to get the same cramp during the night but wearing bedsocks seems to have helped.

I've been getting cramps in my legs for some time too. Thought it was just my age. It's quite a relief to know I'm not alone. Often get it in my shins too, mostly at night or when driving.

This may seem a bit odd, but there seems to be a connection with the leg cramps and a need to go to the loo. Empty bladder = relief from cramp. Perhaps it's just me!

Annobel, I wonder whether your doctor recommended tonic water because of the quinine content? Apparently, though, there isn't enough of it to do any good for either cramp or restless leg syndrome (which I get sometimes).

Yes, it was the quinine that was supposed to help with cramp. I think it's possible to buy quinine tablets but have no idea what dosage would work and I am reluctant to self-medicate.

With tonic water, not all of them contain quinine! Read the label!

I connected shin splints with impact e.g. walking on pavements as I used to suffer if I had been walking in London (in the days when I used to wear smart shoes!) Now that I wear springy soled shoes with thicker soles and only low heels I don't seem to get the problem. The remedy was to kneel on the floor with thighs at right angles to calves and gradually stretch the lower legs and ease the shins. Sort of worked. I still get leg cramps but in my ankles often when I have been dehydrated and, alas, on the few occasions I try to wear heels.

My sympathy to anyone who regularly suffers from cramp. I do and I know that not drinking sufficient water during the day can give me an attack at night.