Do I Have Shin Splints or Stress Fracture Quiz

You’ve been bodybuilding for a while now.. Maybe you’re even in a sport like football or cross country that really gets shin splints going. Now you’re wondering a big question. So here you are searching, Do I have Shin Splints or Stress Fracture Quiz?

I have prepared a short quiz that will help answer your question! I have also included thorough explanations at the end of this post for you, if you have questions.

Do I Have Shin Splints or Stress Fracture Quiz Answers Explained

You’re probably done taking the, Do I Have Shin Splints or Stress Fractures Quiz and you want some answers. I have explained more in-depth some of the problems below, to help you understand.

I Scored Less Than 2 on the Do I Have Shin Splints or Stress Fracture Quiz

You scored 0-2 points on the Do I Have Shin Splints or Stress Fracture Quiz. If you scored less than 2, you probably only have shin splints! This is a good thing. A stress fracture can put you out for 6 weeks.

This result is mainly because most of your answers in general showed symptoms of shin splints compared to a stress fracture. You probably said that you had average pain and it was more generalized pain.

Additionally, you may have said you did not have big routine changes or take part in any sports that would cause a stress fracture.

I would personally rest for 3-5 days and not work that area at all. Try to lay down and recover as much as possible. If your pain doesn’t go away or decrease heavily, go see your doctor as it may be a stress fracture.

If the pain does go away and it feels way better to walk on it, I would very slowly start resuming training when you feel comfortable.

A Doctor sitting at his desk, one you need to see depending on your score on the Do I Have Shin Splints or Stress Fracture Quiz.
A Doctor sitting at his desk, one you need to see depending on your score on the Do I Have Shin Splints or Stress Fracture Quiz.

I Scored a 2-4, On The Do I Have Shin Splints or Stress Fracture Quiz

You’re in a weird spot. You just got 2-4 points on the, Do I Have Shin Splints or Stress Fracture Quiz. Well, you might have a stress fracture, but your answers were in the middle.

You probably answered yes to a few questions that indicated you have one, and no to some that indicated you have one.

For instance, you may not have been in any sports or had a change in routine recently, but had localized and severe pain.

I would rest for 7-14 days, and assess your situation from there.

I Scored Greater Than 5 on the Do I Have Shin Splints or Stress Fracture Quiz

Uh oh, bad news. If you scored greater than a 5 on the Do I Have Shin Splints or Stress Fracture Quiz you’re probably in trouble. This means you likely have a nasty stress fracture.

You got this because your answers for some of the questions were particularly alarming. Being in a sport that this is common in, changing workout routine, feeling specific pain, these are all not good signs.

While there is still a small chance you do not have a stress fracture, chances are, you do. Set up an appointment with your primary care physician who can refer you to the correct doctor to get a stress fracture verified.

In the meantime, rest! Sleep, don’t go exercising super hard, just chill. Wait for the doctor to do the correct screenings to get your leg checked, and follow your doctor’s advice from there.

It is very important that after that you LISTEN TO THEIR ADVICE! If you make this stress fracture worse, it can put you out for an increased time of 6 months!

What is a Stress Fracture – Do I Have Shin Splints or Stress Fracture Quiz?

A stress fracture is a small break in the bone. Technically, it is breaking a bone.

Think of your car’s windshield. You might get a small crack in the windshield from a rock hitting it or cold weather. You think, “there’s no need to replace it”.

So, as cold weather comes or more rocks hit it. The crack grows, because it was never repaired that crack has now spiraled into something crazy.

That’s what a stress fracture is like. You start to get this tiny crack on your bone, and you keep using it until that crack turns into a almost a very big dent. This could even go further and break the bone even more, or other bones!

Where Are Stress Fractures Located?

Stress fractures are usually located in the foot. Usually in the metatarsals or heel. If you got a 5+ on the Do I Have Shin Splints or Stress Fracture Quiz, you probably have your stress fracture in here too.

You’re usually on your feet all day, and pushing them to the extreme with intense running or sports can easily start making a stress fracture prevalent.

Land the wrong way, or hit the ground too hard, and now you have this crack that is waiting to get bigger and bigger. Now everytime you step this crack starts increasing and you’re wallowing in pain!

However, do note, that stress fractures can happen anywhere in your bones. So if you land on your chest or land somewhere else weird, you can get one there too!

Symptoms of Stress Fractures

If you finished the Do I Have Shin Splints or Stress Fracture Quiz, I covered some of the symptoms in there.

Generally, stress fractures will have a more localized pain. This means, your pain won’t be felt all up and down your shin, but only in a small spot of your shin or foot.

Additionally, the pain of stress fractures is way worse because it is a bone that is broken.

Finally, if your pain is better in the morning when you wake up, it is almost certain it is a stress fracture. This is because the bone repairs itself overnight while you sleep. Meanwhile a shin splint will hurt more in the morning because it hasn’t been stretched in a while.

What Are Shin Splints?

Shin Splints are similar to stress fractures in the leg, but very different.

Shin Splints is a general term used to describe pain all up and down your shin. This means the pain isn’t localized, but all up and down the front bone there.

Shin Splints can hurt a ton, but will hurt a little less than a stress fracture.

However, Shin Splints can happen essentially overnight, and don’t need time to be produced. Additionally, Shin Splints usually occur after you have seriously intensified your training.

Symptoms of Shin Splints

Pain. Lots of pain. If you scored under a 2 on the Do I Have Shin Splints or Stress Fracture Quiz you probably have shin splints.

Shin Splints involve tons of pain all up and down your shin area of your leg. Again, lots of pain. I have personally gotten shin splints multiple different times and it really does hurt.

The point is, it’s nothing to be scoffed at. It’s also a good idea to gets lot of rest and have a good diet. Personally, I always made sure I was drinking lots of milk due to the calcium in it. I figured if it helped strengthen the bone, it would help me. Plus, the other vitamins and calories helped with recovery and strength in general.

So, What’s The Difference?

If you got a 2-4 on the Do I Have Shin Splints or Stress Fracture Quiz, you’re probably confused what exactly the difference is. Let me explain in a clearer table for you.

Attributes Stress Fracture Shin Splints
Pain Level Severest of Pain A moderate-high amount of pain.
How Easy To Get Moderately difficult to get. Easy to get, especially after increases in training.
Recovery Time Required 2-5 months. Usually 1-2 weeks of rest.
Affects: A small part of bone. The entire shin area.

Using these differences, it may become more clear to you the difference. In short, the stress fracture is going to be way worse and in a specific location. Meanwhile, shin splints will be all over your shin and hurt less.

Recovery Guidelines – Do I Have Shin Splints or Stress Fracture Quiz

Regardless of your outcome, recovery is in your schedule for the next few weeks. Here are some basic recovery guidelines for both problems.

Shin Splints Recovery

If you just have shin splints, a trip to the doctor usually isn’t required. You probably just have shin splints if you scored less than a 3 on the Do I Have Shin Splints or Stress Fracture Quiz.

Talk with your coach, school nurse, or boss about lowering your activity.

Try to rest and leave your feet elevated when possible, also ice your shins to help reduce the swelling and pain.

If your shoes are old or not supporting your feet, buy new ones to help stop this from happening again.

If you’re feeling a lot of pain, try taking some NSAIDs like Ibuprofen. Additionally, tylenol will help some of the recovery. Take only the recommended dosage on the bottle.

Stress Fracture Recovery

First of all, you must see a doctor. While many stress fractures can heal with just rest, some can’t. Some stress fractures require surgery and even some casts temporarily.

Your primary care physician will direct you to the proper screenings, medicines, etc. for recovery.

However, most times you will likely be out of commission for 2-3 months. You need to listen to this, many people try to get back in after a short time and make their stress fracture even worse!

Prevention, so you don’t have to take the Do I Have Shin Splints or Stress Fracture Quiz

You’ve probably finished the Do I Have Shin Splints or Stress Fracture Quiz, and probably have had shin splints or a stress fracture in the past.

At this rate, you may be only worried about preventing it! I can’t blame you.

Here are some easy steps to prevent this from happening to you.

Diet, Add a Multivitamin!

While I’m not trying to say cut out fast food or anything, think of the vitamins and minerals your body needs to operate.

Adding foods like milk or fruits/vegetables will go a long way.

You could also consider adding a multivitamin to suit you. Generally, multivitamins high in zinc, calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorous will benefit you heavily against preventing shin splints or another stress fracture. These will help fortify your bones and muscles to be stronger!

Slowly Increase Your Intensity

I get it, you want to start seeing results immediately. However, don’t add a crazy 3 miles to your workout overnight or do some crazy sprints all day.

Slowly add those things into your routine, and you will see much better results. Then you’ll start scoring a 0 on the Do I Have Shin Splints or Stress Fracture Quiz.

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Conclusion

I hope my Do I Have Shin Splints or Stress Fracture Quiz helped you figure out what you have!

Now it is time for YOU to rest up and recover.

I am not a medical doctor, and none of this post is medical advice. Please see a licensed M.D/D.O for medical advice. Also, if you think you have a stress fracture, see a doctor. It’s not worth it to “wait it out”.

I hope you feel better soon! If this post helped you, please consider subscribing to my newsletter, because I know you want awesome advice on how to get huge in the gym!

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