Lasting Injury: Flaky Shins

[Patrick Donnelly]

About a year and a half ago, I hurt both of my shins very badly. They were both gouged about halfway up, with the left shin being hurt so badly the bone was exposed. It took a month to simply scab up, then two more before the pain and everything subsided.

The only lasting part of it is the scar tissue, a quarter-sized circle on each shin. This skin is pink/purple, hairless, and most importantly, flaky. The top layer of skin comes off very easily, and takes about two weeks to heal, assuming it isn't open again during that time period. Olympic lifting is really causing problems. Deadlifts were bad enough. The scars are just above where the bar makes contact from the floor, in the perfect place to get scraped by an accelerating bar. Is there anything that can be done for this?

The skin will even come off if I'm doing Oly lifts in sweatpants. The only solution I've found is to apply a liquid bandage prior to any lifting, but I really don't want to be doing that for the next 65+ years of my life.

[Mike ODonnell]

Go get yourself some soccer shin pads if you need to.

[Patrick Donnelly]

I took a look at those, but they seemed like they stick out and are obtrusive.

[Eva Claire Synkowski]

i actually use two knee "braces" across my shins to prevent further cuts/scars. just the ones that are essentially rubber sleeve with no "cut-out" for a knee joint. thicker than sweatpants... but not as obtrusive as actual shin guards.

[Greg Everett]

try these (second from bottom of page):

http://www.dynamic-eleiko.com/products/liftingsuits.htm

[Garrett Smith]

http://healinglightseminars.com/list...Aesthetics.pdf

The shin is a very poorly perfused area and won't heal really well (in your case) on its own. Low Intensity/Level Laser Therapy (aka "cold" laser) may be just the ticket.

[Patrick Donnelly]

Re: Greg
Do those socks have reinforced fronts? I've never heard of weightlifting socks before.

Re: Garrett
While that sounds great, I doubt my insurance would cover it, and even if it did, I doubt my parents would support it.

[Greg Everett]

Originally Posted by Patrick Donnelly

Re: Greg
Do those socks have reinforced fronts? I've never heard of weightlifting socks before.

Yes, but I haven't used them personally so I can't comment on how well they'll work.

[Dan Heaney]

I use these. (first ones)

http://www.muellersportsmed.com/elbowsleeves.htm

[Ken Urakawa]

I rammed a stick into my shin riding my motorcycle in 6th grade. It still occasionally flakes and peels (roughly 24 years later).

I don't have anything to add to the equipment discussion, I just wanted to throw in my shin story...