Calf Compartment Syndrome - Pain After Running, but Not During?

Pain for me didn't cease after a workout...I'd have pain for a day or two after a workout, but it typically came during the workout.

Thanks. The physio believes I have a severely tight extensor hallucis longus, right at its uppermost connection. He's suggested I might have an over-active big toe, or maybe I do too much hill work. I'm convinced the issue was caused by performing calf lifts (to strengthen other calf, ironically) and doing a hard track workout the next day when calf was tight. Physio reckons, although his diagnosis is not CS, the issue will take weeks of DT massage and is non-trivial, i.e. has potential to create major problems.

Anyway - I'm not convinced in Physio's diagnosis (although it's more convincing than what the extremely-lauded / 'respected' sports Dr told me...). It just seems odd that, on both occasions the calf's tightened up, it's been after exercise. It almost has a 'tendonitis' quality to it, i.e. it 'warms up' ok, but kicks in when cold. NSAIDs do not appear to have any effect at all (which is unusual, as I find them highly effective for general muscle / tendon pain).

BTW - Physio drew his conclusions during a thorough ultrasound examination. I have to commend his thoroughness - he showed me all the major muscle / tendons.

Try alternating between jogging a half mile then walking a half mile. This worked for me by expanding the compartment with swelling from jogging, and then having it contract by walking. This works the compartment back and forth like pulling a rubberband out and in.

In your case, you may find the swelling during walking and the contraction while jogging. Either way this might expand your compartment size to cure you of CS....if that's the problem.

Have you considered Compartment syndrome pressure testing? Not too bad...a rather large needle, some treadmill running in the doctor's office, and then reinserting the needle in a few spots to look for changes after exercise. I had a positive diagnosis and subsequently a fasciotomy. Not pleasant, but back running and feeling good again.

Thanks. The thing is, I saw one of the UK's top sports doctors, who said it's not CS; and also a physio, who, with the aid of ultrasound, reckoned it not to be CS. The person who's suggested it's CS is the coach from the club...the reckoning being that Steve Cram had a similar complaint with CS, i.e. pain after workouts.

The next step is to research the right doctor for the pressure test. The first Dr I saw ruled out CS totally...However, he also claimed I had a 'strain', which has been totally debunked by the ultrasound. I think he just wanted me out of his office... I won't mention his name, but he occupies a very high profile position with regards to athletics medicine...

Had an appointment with a sports massage guy who's also a trained physio and 120mpw runner. He reckons it's most likely a 'myofascial trigger point'. This appears similar to the finding of the other physio. He doesn't think it's CS... I hope he's right.

Not much of a chance it being Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome at this point. Stretching, strengthening and massage work should resolve it.