Diagnose me

Sancho · 02-15-09, 04:09 PM

Hi,

Does anyone have any idea what is wrong with my calf . . .

About a year ago, I had pretty bad Platar Facitis. After a few months of trying to treat it on my own, I finally went to the podiatrist. He gave me one stretching exercise to do 8 times a day, he gave me a boot to wear for several hours a day and he gave me a pair of "Superfeet" inserts for my shoes (I also went to a running store and got the proper shoes for my mechanics problems). After about 8 weeks I was completely cured.

I have continued to use the superfeet when ever I wear athletic shoes (tennis, running, aerobics, walking, etc). I have also continued with the stretching exercises (but not the boot). About 2 months ago I was doing step aerobics and felt a slight pop in the upper part of my right calf , almost to the back of my knee, but not the knee. It's the same leg that had the PF). I stopped doing step. The calf was sore for a few days, but nothing awful. A week later I went to run and about 10 minutes in, I got the same pain in my calf. I took about 6 weeks off from running and step. Today I went out and tried to run again and 15 minutes in, I started to get the same pain and had to stop. During the 6 weeks off, I did do floor aerobics (kickboxing) and tennis. I also did the stairmaster, step mill and spinning. I did not have any pain or calf trouble at all. I have continued to do the stretches and wear the Superfeet.

I have not had pain in my heel (like I did with the PF) but the calf hurts. As I walk around on it and it stretches out, it stops hurting. But once I sit down for a little bit and get up again, I have to stretch it out again.

Any idea what is going on??? What kind of doctor should I see? Go back to the podiatrist? Go to my PCP? Go get a massage???? I'm happy to take time off from running and aerobics, but I want to do whatever rehab I need to so that I can run again. I would have thought 6 weeks off would have been enough. Any one have any ideas?

loulou · 02-15-09, 04:21 PM

Sancho,
There is good information from people who have all sorts of health problems on:

www.healthboards.com

Sounds like you need to start with an appointment with a Physical Medicine Doctor.

jmander · 02-15-09, 04:57 PM

Sancho,

I'm not sure if it's the same problem as what my boyfriend had (it sounds like yours might be higher up in the calf) but take a look at this thread and the runner's injury website referenced in it. Good luck.

Jane P. · 02-15-09, 07:02 PM

You might email Cathe. Didn't her injury that delayed Butts & Guts etc. start with a something that popped at the back of her knee? I know it took her a while to get properly diagnosed. Good luck.

mspina · 02-15-09, 07:49 PM

I'd suggest that you go to your primary care physician, and he'll likely refer you for PT. Or, if you'd rather try to get it somewhat "fixed" on your own, I'd HIGHLY recommend you find a massage therapist that you like. Look for sports/athletic massage - you may have scar tissue built up there that is causing you issues, and regular massage will help break it up. PT will likely involve stretching, strengthening and massage - you can do the 1st 2 on your own at home, and just need to find the massage part of the equation.

I have had calf issues for the last year - under control, but always something I have to think about. Good luck!

FitBoop · 02-15-09, 08:03 PM

Hi Sancho. I'm sorry that you are injured. Since it has persisted for a couple of months, I think you should make an appointment with an orthopedist, who can order some tests to see what's actually causing the problem and tell you how to treat it. Hope it heals quickly.

britt · 10-30-09, 05:55 PM

Did you ever figure out your trouble? I had the same thing happen to me on a pivot turn during a step workout. Same thing happened when I tried to run on it. From what I can figure out, it is a calf sprain, which comes from acceleration or abrupt changes in direction. Described as micro tears in the belly of the calf muscle. They say recovery can take 2-3 weeks if it is a mild injury. Have been at a loss as to what to do with myself. Have rediscovered my rebounder & am debating a spin bike. Anyway, just wanted to see what ever happened with your injury.

T2B · 10-30-09, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jane P.

You might email Cathe. Didn't her injury that delayed Butts & Guts etc. start with a something that popped at the back of her knee? I know it took her a while to get properly diagnosed. Good luck.

Yes, wasn't it called plica syndrome?

T2B · 10-30-09, 06:28 PM

Sancho - sorry about your injury.

Sancho · 10-30-09, 06:29 PM

I went to the podiatrist and he sent me to a sports massage therapist. She cured me. It was a very, very painful process to get my calf massaged (deep tissue). I literally screamed obscenities at her. She laughed and said she has had the same injury and she knows how painful it is to get it massaged out. I needed about 5 30 minute sessions (30 minutes was all I could take). She also gave me some stretches to do. She gave me a gradual schedule to get back in to running. I did great for about 6 months.

But now I'm having hip issues. I was able to work them out using a foam roller for a few weeks, but now the foam roller isn't working as well. I'm thinking of going to see the sports massage therapist for this.

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02-15-09, 04:09 PM
Sancho VF Supporter Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: My body is in Louisville but my heart is in Atlanta	Diagnose me Hi, Does anyone have any idea what is wrong with my calf . . . About a year ago, I had pretty bad Platar Facitis. After a few months of trying to treat it on my own, I finally went to the podiatrist. He gave me one stretching exercise to do 8 times a day, he gave me a boot to wear for several hours a day and he gave me a pair of "Superfeet" inserts for my shoes (I also went to a running store and got the proper shoes for my mechanics problems). After about 8 weeks I was completely cured. I have continued to use the superfeet when ever I wear athletic shoes (tennis, running, aerobics, walking, etc). I have also continued with the stretching exercises (but not the boot). About 2 months ago I was doing step aerobics and felt a slight pop in the upper part of my right calf , almost to the back of my knee, but not the knee. It's the same leg that had the PF). I stopped doing step. The calf was sore for a few days, but nothing awful. A week later I went to run and about 10 minutes in, I got the same pain in my calf. I took about 6 weeks off from running and step. Today I went out and tried to run again and 15 minutes in, I started to get the same pain and had to stop. During the 6 weeks off, I did do floor aerobics (kickboxing) and tennis. I also did the stairmaster, step mill and spinning. I did not have any pain or calf trouble at all. I have continued to do the stretches and wear the Superfeet. I have not had pain in my heel (like I did with the PF) but the calf hurts. As I walk around on it and it stretches out, it stops hurting. But once I sit down for a little bit and get up again, I have to stretch it out again. Any idea what is going on??? What kind of doctor should I see? Go back to the podiatrist? Go to my PCP? Go get a massage???? I'm happy to take time off from running and aerobics, but I want to do whatever rehab I need to so that I can run again. I would have thought 6 weeks off would have been enough. Any one have any ideas?

02-15-09, 04:21 PM
loulou Join Date: Jun 2004	Sancho, There is good information from people who have all sorts of health problems on: www.healthboards.com Sounds like you need to start with an appointment with a Physical Medicine Doctor.

02-15-09, 04:57 PM
jmander Join Date: May 2003 Location: San Diego (used to be Cleveland)!	Sancho, I'm not sure if it's the same problem as what my boyfriend had (it sounds like yours might be higher up in the calf) but take a look at this thread and the runner's injury website referenced in it. Good luck. __________________ Jane

02-15-09, 07:02 PM
Jane P. VF Supporter Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Colorado Springs	You might email Cathe. Didn't her injury that delayed Butts & Guts etc. start with a something that popped at the back of her knee? I know it took her a while to get properly diagnosed. Good luck. __________________ "The two most powerful warriors are patience and time." Leo Tolstoy

02-15-09, 07:49 PM
mspina Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Boston, MA	I'd suggest that you go to your primary care physician, and he'll likely refer you for PT. Or, if you'd rather try to get it somewhat "fixed" on your own, I'd HIGHLY recommend you find a massage therapist that you like. Look for sports/athletic massage - you may have scar tissue built up there that is causing you issues, and regular massage will help break it up. PT will likely involve stretching, strengthening and massage - you can do the 1st 2 on your own at home, and just need to find the massage part of the equation. I have had calf issues for the last year - under control, but always something I have to think about. Good luck! __________________ Michelle Random Stuff: Spinervals Team Member Triathlon Coach Avid CrossFitter Former Triathlon Fanatic 2008 Boston Marathon Finisher Cast member in IronGirl StrEndurance workout (released 12/07)

02-15-09, 08:03 PM
FitBoop VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001	Hi Sancho. I'm sorry that you are injured. Since it has persisted for a couple of months, I think you should make an appointment with an orthopedist, who can order some tests to see what's actually causing the problem and tell you how to treat it. Hope it heals quickly.

10-30-09, 05:55 PM
britt VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Boulder, Colorado	calf sprain Did you ever figure out your trouble? I had the same thing happen to me on a pivot turn during a step workout. Same thing happened when I tried to run on it. From what I can figure out, it is a calf sprain, which comes from acceleration or abrupt changes in direction. Described as micro tears in the belly of the calf muscle. They say recovery can take 2-3 weeks if it is a mild injury. Have been at a loss as to what to do with myself. Have rediscovered my rebounder & am debating a spin bike. Anyway, just wanted to see what ever happened with your injury.

10-30-09, 06:28 PM
T2B Join Date: Feb 2008	Sancho - sorry about your injury. __________________ T2B joy, love peace and patience kindness with goodness faithfulness & gentleness self-control - Motivational Sticker Now: XTRAIN 90 Day Undulating (Generic) 7/22/22 - 10/24/22 Peak Fit System: 6/3/22 - 7/21/22 * STS/LIS 90 Day Undulating: 11/19/21 - 2/12/22 * 6 Week Fusion XTRAIN: 5/17/21 - 6/27/21 * Body Beast: 12/21/20 - 3/18/21 * STS: 1/29/20 - 5/3/20 * Fit Tower/LIS/ICE/ 90 Day: 10/29/19 - 1/19/20 * XTRAIN 90 Day Undulating: 7/29/19 - 10/25/19

10-30-09, 06:29 PM
Sancho VF Supporter Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: My body is in Louisville but my heart is in Atlanta	I went to the podiatrist and he sent me to a sports massage therapist. She cured me. It was a very, very painful process to get my calf massaged (deep tissue). I literally screamed obscenities at her. She laughed and said she has had the same injury and she knows how painful it is to get it massaged out. I needed about 5 30 minute sessions (30 minutes was all I could take). She also gave me some stretches to do. She gave me a gradual schedule to get back in to running. I did great for about 6 months. But now I'm having hip issues. I was able to work them out using a foam roller for a few weeks, but now the foam roller isn't working as well. I'm thinking of going to see the sports massage therapist for this.