OK, this is a long shot but I thought I would describe the unusual pain I have been having and see if anyone has had something similar or might know how to treat it. First of all, I have been doing triathlons for 7 years, and am not new to long training or racing. But this year, I have been more consistent than ever and therefore have been putting in more hours and greater intensity. I have developed a dull ache in my lower left leg over the last 6 weeks or so. It sets in usually after (not during) any long or intense workout. The pain is minor, but the ache sometimes lasts for 12 hours or more. It is an “all over” type of ache that I cant pinpoint to any one specific spot. It feels kind of like those growing pains we all had as kids.
I have had sprains, pulls, twists, etc. in the past and this is not like any of those. Like I said the pain is minor, and really hasn’t affected me to the point that I have to stop during a workout. But the duration of the ache concerns me a bit.
Does ANYONE have ANY IDEA what the heck this is or how to even diagnose/treat???
Okay, the usual disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express.
My first thought was poor circulation. Phlebitis comes to mind. This can be a minor problem (if it involves the superficial veins) or a serious one if the clot is deep in the calf. I typically don’t like to run to the doc for every ache, pain or sniffle, but you’ve been riding this bad boy for 6 weeks now with no change. It may be prudent to go see your family doc to see if he/she can RO this potential condition. You may need to see a vascular specialist to do this. Hell, for all I know you may have a stress fracture of the Tibia or Fibula.
Let us know what you do and what it is that is determined to be the prob.
Nah, superficial phlebitis is pretty focal and VERY painful. Stress fx is also VERY focal pain. early onset compartment syndrome with the extra training is possible that is setting up after the long runs.
Is this only after running or after cycling as well?
If it is occuring with cycling it would reduce the chance that it is a stress fracture and increase the chance of something like exertional compartment syndrome or on the outside chance a Deep Vein thrombosis
“I have developed a dull ache in my lower left leg over the last 6 weeks or so. It sets in usually after (not during) any long or intense workout. The pain is minor, but the ache sometimes lasts for 12 hours or more. It is an “all over” type of ache that I cant pinpoint to any one specific spot.”
I don’t know if this helps, but I’ll write my most recent experience. You didn’t describe when you get the pain (bike or run?):
My lower legs, both calf and shin, are screaming in pain now. This weekend I hiked 4 miles over trails to photograph a “Ride and Tie” (1 horse/ 2 rider trail-based relay race). But I was wearing paddock shoes, not hikers or trainers. I fully believe that my own pain is from inefficient shoes for the difficult terrain and intensity.
My first suggestion (just going on the above - especially since I knew better also) is to reflect on the last time you changed your trainers… how many miles has it been?
Think back on the time you could train BEFORE the pain. Think about the training or racing you were doing. Have you changed ANYTHING? I mean anything… terrain, shoes, bedding (tighter sheets), cleats on biking shoes, anything?
You said you are putting in ‘more hours with greater intensity’. What is the difference between then and now? Could you possibly have been doing ‘just under the threshold of this injury’ before and not known it?
Have to been to a doc or massotherapist?
It seems to me that you are straining the stabilizing muscles of your legs - near your feet. My first guess (and it’s a guess) is that your feet will work harder to make the stabilization, and therefore this will give you the “all-over” ache instead of the directed ache. IF this is a good guess, usually many people get ITBS from unstable shoes or conditions, but that’s if the instability travels to the hips to stabilize; if your feet try to stabilize for you, that means that your hips (pelvis) weren’t involved.
Thanks for all the input! It really helps to get some others’ opinions. After looking at your suggestions and doing some research on the Internet, it looks like it is most likely Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome. At least, the symptoms best fit that description. The pain comes always during and after running. It sometimes comes after cycling, not during cycling, and not nearly as bad after.
I am going to a doctor today to have it checked out. He is just a GP, so will probably will have to refer me to a specialist, but its a start. My fear is that he will say “stop running for about 4 weeks and see what happens”. And with Gulf Coast coming up in 4 weeks, that is just not an option at this point. But I’ll probably take a break after Gulf Coast and see how it feels.
OK, this is a long shot but I thought I would describe the unusual pain I have been having and see if anyone has had something similar or might know how to treat it. First of all, I have been doing triathlons for 7 years, and am not new to long training or racing. But this year, I have been more consistent than ever and therefore have been putting in more hours and greater intensity. I have developed a dull ache in my lower left leg over the last 6 weeks or so. It sets in usually after (not during) any long or intense workout. The pain is minor, but the ache sometimes lasts for 12 hours or more. It is an “all over” type of ache that I cant pinpoint to any one specific spot. It feels kind of like those growing pains we all had as kids.
I have had sprains, pulls, twists, etc. in the past and this is not like any of those. Like I said the pain is minor, and really hasn’t affected me to the point that I have to stop during a workout. But the duration of the ache concerns me a bit.
Does ANYONE have ANY IDEA what the heck this is or how to even diagnose/treat???
Thanks.
Long shot I will get a reply since this was over 14 years ago, but did you ever figure this out? I have the exact same thing happening. Dull deep ache in my calf (I think) that I can’t pinpoint. It was especailly bad after I foam rolled my calf the other day.
I had similar pain develop in my pelvic area from cycling in 2017 and had to give it up because I could not figure it out. I hope this isn’t the same thing down my leg.