| relatively desperate |
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I have an undiagnosable, mysterious, extremely debilitating calf injury and I am looking for others who have experienced the same. I have had issues with my calf for the last 7 months and have been unable to run at all for that time period. It began with pain near my achilles in my tibialis posterior (on inside of ankle). Then, on a really easy run, my calf "cramped" or "spasmed" in the deep part of my calf just under the medial head of my gastronemius. I was in a lot of pain and was unable to walk for about 1 week. Since then (that was in December), I have made multiple, unsuccessful attempts to return to running, all ending with a similar "cramp" experience and reduced ability to walk normally. I have seen multiple doctors, physical therapists, and massage therapists, been on anti-inflammatories, been in a orthopaedic boot, had a cortisone shot, and tried all kinds of modalities and strengthening exercises. Nothing has really worked; the cortisone shot allowed me to return to walking after a cramp episode, but I am still not close to returning to running at all. I have read similar testimonials on the web (runner's world forum, running times forum, etc.), but there seems to be no success stories out there for this weird injury. I have had other calf injuries, including a pretty serious soleus strain, that I have returned from successfully. Has anyone else experienced this, or have advice? thanks... |
| Lacking Endurance |
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i had a similiar problem, although not for the same amount of time. it started when i did a 3x(300-200-100) workout in the cold is spikes. My calf just spasmed and i though o well it will be better soon. It continued to spasm in different workouts and became a real problem. It lasted for 3-4 weeks and was sore as hell when walking. Stretching is not good for this sort of problem i found, and the real thing that helped me was self massage. I would sit in a bath of ice water for aprx. 5 mins on, 5 off, 5 on and then after i heated up self massage with a heating balm. (i used cooling tea tree oil). I found after a week or so of this it got a lot better. Your problem sounds more serious than what i had, but maybe give it a shot. Best of luck. |
| relatively desperate |
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Thanks, bump bump |
| relatively desperate |
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At risk of presumption, bump |
| lohalloran |
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I tried searching but couldn't find it- see if you can find the "Calf Heart Attack" article. It sounds similar to your problem. Good luck. |
| lohalloran |
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found it! hope this helps. http://www.thestick.net/Articles/Calf_%20Heart_%20Attack.htm |
| dmb |
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all i can offer is my sympathy and best wishes i have been struggling with this for 5-6 years now, believe me you will not be able to run through this - I have to the point that my leg goes numb and my stride got so f'd up that i hurt my hips and back - instead of running, i'd say that i was at a controlled stumble on many days right now, i'm cycling only for 1-2 months and then i'm going to try the calf heart attach approach |
| Been there my friend |
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I've dealt with a similar injury for the past 7 years. I was originally diagnosed with compartment syndrome and surgery was recommended. At the time I didn't have insurance however and decided not to go through with it. I've pretty much given up on competitive running at this point although I am still able to run 4-6 miles about 3x per week. Any more than that and the injury gets reaggravated. I supplement this work with swimming and weight training. My original injury was in 1999. I have a personal dislike of the medical industry in general and have decided that going under the knife is not an option for me-- I'm trying to work through things naturally. Some things that have helped me: -- a deep tissue massage once in awhile works wonders. One masseuse actually asked me if i had gotten in a car accident-- apparently i had some tendons that had become fibrotic after the original injury. I use "The Stick" once in awhile, probably much less than I should. -- I have found that stretching my calves LESS actually is better for me. If you must stretch, do so for very short 1-2 second intervals and repeat rather than your typical "hold for 10 seconds". -- When it starts to bother you... cross train until there is no pain. It will only get worse otherwise. Trust me, I've re-aggravated my injury enough times to know. Swimming and the stationary bike have been good options for me (position yourself on the pedals properly to take pressure off your calves). -- I've done better with lower-profile shoes for some reason. I'm lucky to be a true neutral runner so I probably have more options than most. I often run on trails in lightweight trainers such as the Puma Prevail or even racing flats such as the Brooks T4. Hopefully some of this helps. If you have the same injury that I have good luck-- I can't say if it ever really heals. You can definitely work around it though. |
| relatively desperate |
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Thanks for the responses--although not terribly encouraging (still no true success stories), it is nice to know that others have had similar experiences and have been able to somewhat return to running. Man, I would love to just be able to run down the street, let alone do a 4 miler. Thanks for the link to the article--it seems like the only way to deal with this injury is with constant monitoring and lots of massage. Anyone else experienced this? There is really a lack of info on this injury it seems. |
| smoothe |
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have you ruled out chronic muscle tears? |
| Greg Beal |
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After 20 years of competitive running, my calf cramped one morning on a long run. Deep in the thickest portion. I thought nothing of it, rest, eat some bananas, etc. Unfortunately, both calves began cramping repeatedly over the next six years. I'd run for 4-6 months, miss a month, run for 3-5, miss a month, until finally, one or both cramped on almost every run, and at the worst, would cramp when climbing stairs. Then, I tore an achilles and had it surgically repaired at Kerlan-Jobe. I told the orthopedist about the calves and he said maybe compartment syndrome but his comments kept me away from diagnosis and surgery. Instead, I tried to rehab the calves during the achilles rehab. Didn't work. The physical therapists sent me to a podiatrist who said orthotics would cure the problem. They didn't. Finally, I gave up. Basically, didn't run for more than a decade. The few times I tried, the calves cramped. Then in 2004, my family bought me an elliptical. Started using it but then fell and messed up my knee. During rehab, didn't work directly on my calves but worked on both whole legs (stretching, strengthening, ultra, heat, ice, etc.). Back on the elliptical again and tried running a little really really slowly on occasion. A little cramping but it would disappear in a few hours rather than a few months. When the knee was 100%, I was on the elliptical about 7-10 hours a week for several months. And I started running: 13+ minute miles, 2-3 times a week, and slowly increased amount and distances over the next six months. No cramping!! Though I could still feel the twinges in my calves and did encounter other problems after the years off (hamstring strains, achilles soreness, etc.). I don't know what made the difference for me, but I think it had to do with pushing on the elliptical and the physical therapy, that somehow the combination loosened up the calves. My suggestion: take time off, introduce various stretching and strengthening exercises and begin cross training. Get serious about it in terms of the time spent and then start running a little. See how it goes. Best of luck. |
| relatively desperate |
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Wow, quite a story, thanks. Chronic muscle tears...yes, this could be the case, and if it is then I need to find the root cause. My best guess for what is happening is that my tibialis posterior (a little muscle that runs down the back of the leg) was originally injured--a muscle tear caused by a cramp. In response, the posterial tibialis muscle has tightened over time. I think that it is so tight that it is taking much of the work load meant for the stronger calf muscles (soleus & gastroc) and it is being chronicall re-injured. Thanks for the replies, please keep them coming. |
| Sarge |
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I had a very similiar injury that put me out 1.75 years. When I finally thought it was ok to go back, I went to a running doctor, not sports medicine doctor, and actual doctor that runs 50-60 miles per week. He asked me what mileage I was doing when I got hurt. My answer was 35-40 miles per week. He then told me (if I had the time) to WALK 5 miles per day, 7 days a week (35 miles total) for a month. I did exactly that as rapidly as possible. Then, after a month, I'd run 5 miles at a very comfortable pace and slowly but surely, I was racing again. It took another year total because I gained 20 pounds when I was off but the bottom line is... you gotta walk before you can run. It was the most boring experience but in the end, I'm running/racing again and have the ribbons/trophies to show for it..............baby steps......it works. |
| FortyNine |
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try running uphill but do not run downhill, walk down instead try walking then running real ez barefoot to strengthen your feet since a weak foot places a greater load on the soleus muscles do the following eccentric excercise to strengthen your soleus: standin/use a door jam to help balance yourself stand on either leg with the other leg bent at knee slowly lower your body so the ankle and knee bend in the same manner as when you land when running not further but go down pretty slowly since this will put a very good eccentric load on the soleus without any impact. I was out for several years and these are the things that have worked for me.My calf muscles are better now than they have ever been! Persistence is the key to beating most running injuries Charlie |
| Swernox |
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I have had a similar thing several times and I have found that taking some time, plus a couple of massages, self massage, using the stick, and importantly, running quite hot water on the calf for 2-3 minutes 1-2 times per day was helpful. Also, it was helpful to bike for 15-20 minutes then run for 15 minutes for awhile before going to full running. It was really resistent to loosening up and I was making slow progress then went for a 45 min run one day and it was gone. Make sure you have new shoes too. Best of luck. |
| njrnr |
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wow! the "calf heart attack" is right on. i had this happen a couple years ago, an injury in one calf followed by the same injury to the other. i questioned my doctors about the possiblity of compartment syndrome being the cause, but both dismissed it. the initial injury seemed to be brought on by a particularly grueling workout and exercises. i am also a forefoot striker and wonder if the injuries were not also encouraged by the excessive loading of my calves? i too found stretching not to be very helpful. lots of self-massage, massage, and yoga seemed to help, in addition to laying off running until the injuries healed completely. i was out a couple months with each one. i would also recommend getting the appropriate orthotics - i have not had the problem since. best luck in recovery. |
| SHANNON SULLIVAN |
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I owned a running store in Florida for 20 years until reecently. Though the years I pretty much became somewhat of an expert in several problems, plantar, stress fractures and definetly YOUR problem. the reason being is I experienced it and noticed a lot of guys getting older with the same problem. After awhile I did figured it out and it was actually pretty simple. First of all do you have a high, low or normal arch? that probably does not matter much given your stmptoms. the problem is your arch is flattenting at footstrike causing stress on your calf. Normally it is in one or the other although I have had both but never at the same time. Ok here is the fix. Go find a pair of POWERSTEP INSERTS. It almost certainly sole your problems. Go to www.powersteps.com and read about them and hopefully find a dealer close. It is best if you can tert them on with a brand new pairs of shoes. tell me what style you are running in too. Also this problem is made worse by stiff inflexible shoes. A new pair should be flexed and worked in before you wear them. You also need to find a FOOT FLEX. that helps keep your range of motion good. Oftentimes the problems are not at the sight of the pain but elsewhere along the area from the back to the foot. Run only every other day I would suggest and follow a smart maileage plan. If you can't find some Powersteps I have a few pairs still . You will be amazed at the difference a little bit of arch support will do for you. Shannon Sullivan Tallahassee |
| coachkritter |
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Follow FortyNine's strengthening and barefoot plan. It will work. Might also add bent knee/seated calf raises (weight on top of knee/quad, forefoot on 2-3" block of wood). Do each leg separately, 3x20reps, with three foot positions(toe in, toe out, straight ahead). Also, wear sandals as much as possible to strengthen ankles, lower legs. Good luck. |
| SHANNON SULLIVAN |
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reread above.. focus on what is the CAUSE of this injury.. not the effect... |
| Been There Before |
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If you are a competitive runner I suggest to have surgery for "compartment syndrom" done immediately. Rest, inserts,injections, ice, etc, etc, will do nothing to get rid of the problem...like putting a bandaid on a cut that needs stiches. It helps but nothing is going to get rid of the problem so that you can train and compete. If you are just a jogger and enjoy running...take your time and try all the b.s. I speak from experience. I was a competitive miler and spent the better part of 2 years trying all kinds of "cures". Surgery did it. |