Forums > Health and Nutrition > compartment syndrome?
The last two times I've tried running outside on my usual running path, my outside shins and calves started tightening up fast. Most of the tightness is actually located in my shins. It gets to a point where I have to rest in the middle of my runs and let the tightening go down. In addition, I also get the foot slaps. I've looked online, and found that my symptoms match those of chronic compartment syndrome down to a T.
However, for the last two months I have been recovering on the treadmill from foot tendinitis, and I can safely run at least 5 miles on the treadmill at 1.5 grade no problem. In fact, the two times I mentioned were essentially the first time I tried to move my training runs from treadmill to outdoors after the tendinitis (not counting hashing). In addition, I've been hashing once a week which is outside on the sidewalks, and that's no problem either (although sidewalk is concrete whereas my running route is asphalt). Given these notable exceptions, does this still sound like compartment syndrome to anyone?
Formerly havanarnr Goal HM < 2:00:00 Half Fanatic #846 "Ninety percent of running is half mental"
...I've looked online, and found that my symptoms match those of chronic compartment syndrome down to a T.
My friend was the first guy ever to have Compartment Syndrome surgically corrected. What you have could possibly be. But I very much highly doubt it is.
I think it might have to do with the fact that you have been running on a treadmill at a 1.5% continuous grade and your legs go used to that. Now you are running outside at varying grades and your calves are having a hard time adjusting to it. Start stretching your calves and I think it will get better.
When I first started running, I had the same problem when the treadmill was level. After talking to some people, I started to incline the treadmill and the tightness and foot slap went away. When I started running outdoors, the tightness and foot slap returned until I figured out how to stretch the front part of the calf muscles.
2012 Goals:
5k = sub 22:00
10k = sub 45:00
HM = sub 1:40:00
Run = 2000 miles
Bike = 3000 miles
Swim = 130 miles
Bugs
Drainpipe,
Sounds like tight calves are giving you shin splints, this can lead to Achilles strain which leads to foot pain. I've got a bit of it myself now. (IT SUCKS) Had me stumped at first because I'm not running that much and I've decided in my case I was running so much on the TM, and then jumped too quickly outside. I've been getting therapy, and trying to rest. The bike feels wonderful. Don't go nuts on the stretching though, nice and gentle.
Rule #15
until I figured out how to stretch the front part of the calf muscles.
OK, I had to stop here and ask how in the heck do you stretch the front part of a calf muscle?
Ricky —our ability to perform up to our physiological potential in a race is determined by whether or not we truly psychologically believe that what we are attempting is realistic. Anton Krupicka
Sounds pretty similar to what I had going on not long ago. I'm back in business now, but it took several weeks of downtime to get under control (hence the blip in my log between late December and February).
Upon returning, I found that I had to REALLY warm up during my runs... starting out at an excruciatingly slow jog (like, walking speed), not easing into a normal training pace until I was about 20 minutes in.
My friend was the first guy ever to have Compartment Syndrome surgically corrected.
How long ago was that?
I have only been running 5 years, but only heard of this about 3 months ago for the first time; now I feel as though it comes up daily in conversation!
I'm referring to the tibialis anterior muscle and it is responsible for lifting your toes to clear the ground when you walk or run. I had crazy tightness when I started running on a treadmill at zero grade AND when I transitioned to outdoor running after running on the treadmill with an incline. My tibialis anterior muscle would become so overworked that it felt numb and made it difficult to control my toes, either lifting or setting them down.
This stretch is the one I started doing before and after a workout and it did wonders on loosing it up. There are a few others, such as this or this one
I had surgery for compartment syndrome over a year ago. Your symptoms don't sound similar to my experience - but you should definitely see a doctor if it doesn't get better. I had shin pain ongoing for 10 years - it finally got so bad that I quit running and tried just to do spinning or the elliptical. After a few years - my feet started going numb while doing those activities and then eventually while just sitting. My legs would hurt for days after I got done doing any sort of activity. I tried PT, icing, acupuncture, orthotics, and everything else they recommended before they finally performed the needle test.
Good luck! Rest, ice, and gradually work back into it!
How long ago was that? I have only been running 5 years, but only heard of this about 3 months ago for the first time; now I feel as though it comes up daily in conversation!
Don't quote me but I believe it was 1974 or 75. I don't know what they do now but, at that time, in his case, you basically cut the sheath open and leave it open. His case was so bad that, when the doctor cut it open, muscles popped out like over-cooked sausage.
I think you hear about so much today because it sounds cool. Runners love to have XXX syndrome. I think a lot of weak muscle slight strain would become shin splint and most cases of shin splint would become compartment syndrome. I wouldn't want to say this is it--because some cases can be a real thing and they might actually need a medical professional's attention. But people just love to have those things. A great cocktail conversation, isn't it?
© 2012 RunningAHEAD.com. All rights reserved. | Privacy