Tightness in Outside of Lower Leg

Jehu

posted: 12/23/2009 at 1:58 PM

During the last few runs, I've had a bit of mild muscle tightness running down the outside of my right lower leg. Usually I just slow down and it gradually goes away as I warm up. However, today it stayed very tight, and it got so bad that I had to cut my run short. It is not pain or soreness exactly, and not really numbness either... it just felt like the muscle was extremely tight; so tight, in fact, that I believe my form changed slightly and I didn't have the lower leg strength to keep my foot from "slapping" the ground. Annoying.

Anybody have this happen to them, and any ideas as to how I should handle it? I feel like there is a possibility that the problem is originating in my glute or lower back.

"Live every week like it's Shark Week." -Tracy Jordan

NaderAlfie

posted: 12/23/2009 at 4:37 PM

Jehu, is it closer to the front or the back?

Jehu

posted: 12/23/2009 at 10:18 PM

I'd say it's fairly equidistant from the front and back... pretty much as lateral as it gets. Up toward the knee it seems to go more to the back, but not much.

"Live every week like it's Shark Week." -Tracy Jordan

NaderAlfie

posted: 12/24/2009 at 12:21 AM

I had some tightness in this part of my calf muscle a few months ago. It seems to have gone away, mostly through the passage of time incessant self-massage. Thunder recommended using something called Blue Emu (any product with Emu oil) and spending as much time in the pool that I could afford. This helped a lot.

Also, in the cold weather, you really should try to keep those calves warm. I'd look into Zensah sleeves.

Jehu

posted: 12/24/2009 at 9:00 AM

Thanks for the tips. I'm going to try to give it some rest for a few days and see what happens, probably some light stretching. This morning I can feel it all the way through my glute/hip area... I'm thinking it is the peroneal tendon.

"Live every week like it's Shark Week." -Tracy Jordan

NaderAlfie

posted: 12/24/2009 at 9:35 AM

I see. Just make sure you're a little warmed up before the stretching, especially if you're outside.

pRED

Summertime

posted: 12/24/2009 at 10:06 AM

Check out compartment syndrome, prolly not but it could be that you are headed in that direction.

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

Jehu

posted: 12/24/2009 at 12:15 PM

Thanks, pRED... I'm not sure that's quite it, the symptoms don't seem to match, but this is clearly not something I want to progress into a more serious, chronic issue.

Trent, do you have any thoughts on the matter?

"Live every week like it's Shark Week." -Tracy Jordan

Jehu

posted: 12/29/2009 at 5:29 PM

Took 5 days off and tried an easy run today... still there. It started very mildly about 15 mins in and steadily got worse. This time the tightness turned into sort of a numbness that goes down the side of the calf (maybe a bit to the front), extending down the side/top of the foot to the pinky toe. I finished my run about 20 minutes ago and the numbness is still lingering a bit, but slowly easing up.

This is very frustrating... I was just starting to feel like I was getting somewhere with my mileage. Or kilometreage.

"Live every week like it's Shark Week." -Tracy Jordan

Trent

We've Got Big Hills

posted: 12/29/2009 at 5:31 PM
modified: 12/29/2009 at 5:31 PM

Just saw this.

With the tingling, I'd go get this checked out to make sure it is not a compartment syndrome or a blood clot, among other things.

Much luck!

I'm running somewhere tomorrow. It's going to be beautiful. I can't wait.

Poor baby

Jehu

posted: 12/29/2009 at 5:42 PM
modified: 12/29/2009 at 5:43 PM

Okie doke... thanks, I shall make an appointment. In the meantime, should I bother trying short runs or cross training, or should I just leave it alone until I sort things out?

"Live every week like it's Shark Week." -Tracy Jordan

NaderAlfie

posted: 12/29/2009 at 5:45 PM
modified: 12/29/2009 at 5:45 PM

Jehu, a blood clot can be deadly. There is nothing to do but to politely ask your doctor the earliest appointment available.

Trent

We've Got Big Hills

posted: 12/29/2009 at 5:46 PM

Yeah, try to get in ASAP. Any swelling? If so, that can be a red flag.

I'm running somewhere tomorrow. It's going to be beautiful. I can't wait.

Poor baby

Jehu

posted: 12/29/2009 at 5:52 PM

Nope, no swelling at all, just the tightness and tingling.

"Live every week like it's Shark Week." -Tracy Jordan

Jehu

posted: 12/29/2009 at 6:49 PM

Yikes, after reading about compression syndrome, I might be pulling for the blood clot...

"Live every week like it's Shark Week." -Tracy Jordan

Tightness in Outside of Lower Leg (Read 2308 times)