Login required to started new threads

Login required to post replies

Leg pain when running
Quote | Reply
Hi all

Posting for a friend

He is a 52 year old several IM finisher

In the last few months he has encountered leg pain in both legs whilst running - he says it feels like the last three miles of an IM and for a few days after his legs swell up. He is down to running 3 miles max 3 times per week real slow

On the bike his legs are much better but he cannot push - he rested his run legs for a few weeks but they still hurt a little bit on the bike , swelling is much less

He has been to his doctor who told him to rest without giving any indication of what the issue might be so he was of no use really

He does not know where to turn to for help - he had some blood work but he does not know what he might be looking for

Anyone had anything similar or any doctors in the Slowtwitch house ?

Many thanks
Quote Reply
Re: Leg pain when running [UKINNY] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I understand these type of things can be very frustrating as I've been through something similar.

It might be external iliac artery endofibrosis (EIAE)...which is vascular. Search the Forum there are several threads. Also, do Google search.

Basically, the external lilac artery has been kinked/compressed from cycling/TT position. During normal activity legs are fine, but during exercise lack of blood flow creates pain in the legs.

I'm a female and in 2012 at 52, I was diagnosed with EIAE, both legs only 30% blood flow during exercise, so lots of pain cycling/running. At the time of diagnosis I was a 20x Ironman finisher. I had vein patch surgery both legs, blood flow restored, no more pain.

Also, it took a couple years for me to be diagnosed even though I had a sports med. doc. so very frustrating. I pushed through the pain. Most doctors aren't familiar with EIAE or they don't think a healthy person has a vascular issue. In fact mine was a self diagnosis, my husband read an article about a pro triathlete and cyclists who had it, said I think this is what you have. I showed my sports med. doctor info. on EIAE, he connected me with a vascular surgeon. Your friend should consider consulting a vascular specialist.
Quote Reply
Re: Leg pain when running [LJ] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Many thanks for taking the time to reply

Much appreciated!
Quote Reply
Re: Leg pain when running [LJ] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
LJ wrote:
I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I understand these type of things can be very frustrating as I've been through something similar.

It might be external iliac artery endofibrosis (EIAE)...which is vascular. Search the Forum there are several threads. Also, do Google search.

Basically, the external lilac artery has been kinked/compressed from cycling/TT position. During normal activity legs are fine, but during exercise lack of blood flow creates pain in the legs.

I'm a female and in 2012 at 52, I was diagnosed with EIAE, both legs only 30% blood flow during exercise, so lots of pain cycling/running. At the time of diagnosis I was a 20x Ironman finisher. I had vein patch surgery both legs, blood flow restored, no more pain.

Also, it took a couple years for me to be diagnosed even though I had a sports med. doc. so very frustrating. I pushed through the pain. Most doctors aren't familiar with EIAE or they don't think a healthy person has a vascular issue. In fact mine was a self diagnosis, my husband read an article about a pro triathlete and cyclists who had it, said I think this is what you have. I showed my sports med. doctor info. on EIAE, he connected me with a vascular surgeon. Your friend should consider consulting a vascular specialist.


I'm an MD. ^^^ This advice is exactly what I would suggest as well because the first thing that popped in my head, when I read your post, is this has to be something vascular going on. If both legs are involved, then your friend needs to look further up than the iliac arteries (think aorta, where it bifurcates). I've had very healthy friends, or people I know from a distance, with EIAE, aortic aneurysm, and aortic dissection so it should definitely be investigated.
Quote Reply
Re: Leg pain when running [UKINNY] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
My first thought was also iliac artery endofibrosis. Like LJ, I too had it in both legs, and both running and cycling were quite painful, if not impossible. Unlike LJ, mine took 25 years to diagnose. Your friend doesn't want that to happen, so he will need to find a knowledgeable doctor, which can be difficult. I'm not sure where you are, so can't offer advice on that. I've linked one of the longer ST threads on IAE below. The thread looks to be locked for some reason, but you/he can read other people's experiences and see if there is any doctor mentioned in his area. I hope he is able to get a diagnosis and solution!
https://forum.slowtwitch.com/...'ve_got_it._P4499854
Quote Reply
Re: Leg pain when running [UKINNY] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
It could be EIAE, but also check about more simple answers. Getting blood work done can help, low hemoglobin levels can cause unnecessarily early anaerobic recruitment. I'd also check functional movement tests, especially around the hips. Ensure their is proper hip mobility across the board and check knee mobility too. Stretching and foam rolling could help, and I don't mean once for 15 minutes, but daily for 30-45mins, moving slowly across the muscle, digging into tender spots. Not the fast moving gentle rolling you see most people doing.
Quote Reply