I’m having a fasciotomy done to both of my legs to relieve medial shin splints next thursday. What do you guys suggest for rehabilitation exercises and therapy. The doc said that it takes 3-4 weeks to return to sport. Any experiences?
Had the op done in '96. Doc said it would only take 3-4 weeks to recover (like your doc), but it took more like 3-4 months. This is the case with most people who have that operation. Looking back, I wish I never had it done, because I still suffer from irritation and pain due to the scar tissue build up from the operation. This scar tissue cannot be removed by any kind of massage. Have you tried deep tissue massage for your shin splints? This is something that I didn’t have enough of before my op. At the time, I just wanted a quick fix. But, this operation is not a quick fix. It is serious and very traumatic.
I would recommend not rushing into this operation. Why don’t you cancel it, find a really good sports massage therapist who isn’t afraid to work deeply and have atleast 8-10 treatments. I think you’ll notice a big improvement in your shin pain.
Good luck!
The same therapy which will be required to break up the scar tissue after the surgery probably would have solved the problem before surgery! Of course if you ask a surgeons opinion… It’s like I said before, if you ask Baskin and Robbins for your ideal weight, they’ll say 400 pounds.
jumpman-
If you are in the United States or willing to travel I have a group that could put you in touch with in Minneapolis, Minnesota to get rid of the scar tissue without having to have the operation.
drop me an e-mail at greent1@hotmail.com
If you’re in Australia, avoid the orthopaedic surgeons Simon Bell and David Young.
I live in Finland, so I don’t have access to ART for example. I’ve tried deep tissue massage by several therapists before the operation without success. I’ve had the problem for over 5 years now, and all the other options have been tried. RICE, shoe orthotics, stretching, deep tissue massage, several supplements, chiropractic, you name it.
Now that I’ve already had the operation do you have any suggestions for rehabilitation? I’ve been doing some light MicroStretching so far.
Light microstretching is good. For me, I was in great pain for the first 2 weeks, so could not withstand any kind of massage. I would advise gentle massage when you can tolerate to help flush out fluid build up and improve circulation. Continue to have progressively deeper massage to help encourage functional realignment of scar tissue. It’s very important that you keep the massage up in the early stages, because if you leave it too long after the operation, this scar tissue can become very difficult to mobilize. The massage will be painful, but you’ve just got to put up with it.
Good luck!