What Causes Pain Followed By Tenderness On The Shin?

Posted on Wed, 16 Nov 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 16 Nov 2016 Answered on

Tue, 13 Dec 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi. The front of my left shin is very tender to the touch. It feels like a bruise when I touch it, but there is no visible mark, and it is a large area--the whole front of my lower leg from ankle to knee. It did not have any trauma. Any idea what might cause it? It started with a painful tingling a few weeks ago, and now is quite tender to the touch. It doesn't hurt unless touched, so it isn't a constant pain.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Gopal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
slipped Disc

Detailed Answer:
hi I am Dr Gopal Goel Orthopedic Surgeon.
You have sensation like bruising on touch in your Left shin , and had painful tingling before that.
In my opinion you have pressure on one nerve root , probably L4 nerve causing initially painful tingling and now bruising on touch(hyper asthesia).This could be due to pressure on the nerve anywhere on it's track , most likely at spine due to slipped disc.
I suggest pain killers, gabapentine and physiotherapy. If you don't get relief in 10 days , get an MRI of lower back and NCV test
I hope I have answered your question. Please feel free to ask any further question.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng