Im not sure what I did to injure my leg, but I have a VERY sore area on the anterior aspect of my leg right where the tendon of the tib anterior is… I noticed it first when riding 2 days ago, then ran long on it yesterday (stupidly) figuring that since it hurt no matter what I did then running would be OK. It particularly hurts to dorsiflex it at all, and now I’ve got some foot pain too b/c I must have been compensating somehow during my run.
I know that the “cure” for this is rest/ice/rest/NSAIDs/don’t run on it, but my question is:
What did I do to make this hurt in the first place? Has anyone ever had this problem? Did it happen cycling? I don’t want this to happen again…
Assuming true AT tendonitis (an “overuse” injury like any other tendonitis) - there are 2 main common causes: tight posterior muscle group (there the AT tendon gets “overworked” trying to overpower the tight gastroc) or direct mechanical irritation from tight cycling shoes, bands, etc. causing tenosynovitis. There are, of course, rare entities that could be at play (i.e. tendon sheath tumors) as well.
You are sure the tenderness is along the tendon itself, worse with dorsiflexion of the ankle right? Not along the shin/bone or focal as under this muscle is a common place for a tibial stress fracture as well (or just typical shin splints).
I had a similar pain a while ago (ended up hurting just below the knee where the tibialis anterior attaches to the bone). Turn out the doc said it was from my ankle rolling inwards and overworking this group (at the time I had weak stability muscles in the lower leg) - started using orthotics with more support under my arch and it went away. I don’t use them anymore though as the doc said that once I gain some strength I can stop. That was 3 years ago I think.
Thanks for the input, rroof… I’m quite positive that it’s in the tendon itself; and I definitely have tight gastrocs/achilles on the posterior, so I guess that could explain it…
It’s acute enough (plus I don’t feel a tumor!!) that I’m a little less worried about that possibility.
Thanks! Did it bug you more running or cycling?? I guess I’m just not used to anything in my lower leg being worked or bothered when I ride and I’m trying to figure out what I did to it.
Been there many times myself…finally saw a good physio who echoed everything the other posters said. I religouosly stretch the gastrocs and soleus, and work on strengthening the AT muscles by repeated dorsiflexion exercises (pulling the toes and foot upwards). I find the best way to do this is to sit on an exercise ball and put my heels on the floor. Good shoes and running on soft surfaces will keep things quiet. Good luck !
