[RunMamaRun]

Okay, here goes with the calf pain again. I had an ultrasound last week - no torn or damaged muscles. Yahoo! I haven't run in 2 weeks, but I'm working out at a gym, doing light cardio on padded mats and some light weight training. My calf is still very sore after working out! I bought $100 shoes in case that was causing the muscle spasms or whatever it is causing the pain but I'm scared to death to run on it! My doctor told me to keep taking the anti-immflamatory and if it continues I'll have to have an MRI to see if I've torn a ligament. Wouldn't I KNOW if I've torn a ligament? No knee or ankle pain whatsoever, just a very tender calf. History: I got a huge cramping in it back in January while running - it felt like my leg had a heart attack. I was back to running up to 5 miles beginning of March and now this. PLEASE! Someone help! What would you do? Anyone else ever have this? How about the torn ligament thing? Ultrasound showed now blood flow problems or muscle tears. Blood tests showed potassium levels were fine. I started taking magnesium this week. Wahhhhhhhhhhhh....I need to run! Any help would be much appreciated. I also have 'The Stick' on the way for massaging...I've been using my rolling pin! LOL

 

[toe jam on crusty feet]

well the rolling pin should definitely work to release any muscle adhesions... I guess you could have a torn ligament maybe if it maaybe tore when your leg had the heart attack? and then reinjured it when you were buildning up? anything similar if you bike? what about if you swim?

 

[RunMamaRun]

Thank you for answering, toe jam. I just keep thinking that if I tore the ligament, I would not be able to do anything on it. I got the Stick today. It's great...still sore calf.<br><br>
I'd love to hear from anyone who has ever torn a ligament. What would it feel like?

 

[toe jam on crusty feet]

I have never but it would be characterized (in my experience with others) by a sudden "event" that you can recall. IE- I was lifting a box and BAM! My shoulder screamed in pain....that kind of thing which seems to be the case for you. Also, the lingering soreness in the calf (how long has it been now?)seems quite suspect as well. Can you push for an MRI?

 

[toe jam on crusty feet]

also, any swelling? redness?

 

[RunMamaRun]

Thanks again for replying! I feel like a whiner. Nope, never any swelling or redness. The originally cramping happened early late December/early January. I had run a bridge run in early Decmeber and felt great, was running well. I got sick and was sidelined w/ flu right after Christmas. As soon as I got back to working out lightly, I got a 'cramp'....the next week, after I was back up to par, I went for a run and about mile 3 is when I felt the 'heart attack' in my calf. That was mid January. I stayed off of it for 6 weeks. I was back to running in March and doing great until I tried too many days in a row I guess. I found a spot on the web about scar tissue causing pain and knots in the calf. I guess it wouldn't hurt to have the MRI. I just hate spending the $$ ya know. Ugh! I just want to run!

 

[toe jam on crusty feet]

and it just stays sore? like a sharp soreness or a dull ache? or like what a sore bicep feels like after an intense workout? Can you describe where on your calf we are talking about?

 

[RunMamaRun]

Nope, it's not sore all the time. It feels like a bruise. Ya know how if you get a bruise and it's sore for a couple days afterward? Like that. It goes away after I don't exercise for a day or so. It hurts more on the inside of the right calf. Hard to explain but when you stand w/ your legs together, right where the two calves meet - right there and sorta in the spot that indents when you flex that muscle, like when on your toes. I can do toe raises and no sharp pain, just 'tenderness' really. When I pull my toes toward the top of my leg, at times that is tender. It's just plain weird. The tech who did my ultrasound happens to be a fellow runner and I've seen him at many races. He told me that he didn't see any pooled blood and no evidence of dried blood like an old muscle tear or something. I'm tempted to call a physical therapist and see if I can get an appointment and an opinion. It's just so dang frustrating. The only other injury I've ever had was knee pain - fixed that by having my gait tested and being fitted for the right shoes. Now this..... I've been running steadily for 4 years now and never had this issue w/ my calf. grrrrr....what would you do?

 

[toe jam on crusty feet]

I don't think a physical therapist can help you...it sounds like the soleus muscle. Have you taken anti-inflammatory and iced it? After the rolling pin/foam rolling is it worse or better? Does that hurt like hell? Is there a specific spot that you can roll it and feel a definite "pain"? Can you roll the area slowly and kinda feel like there is a lump you are rolling over?<br><br>
sorry for all the questions, but I don't want to go down the wrong path and suggest something that is not right for your situation...

 

[muzicgrl]

I agree with Toe Jam. It sounds like the soleus. I, myself have had tons of problems in that area because I cramp easily (mostly not when I am running, but when I am swimming or sleeping). I have had to take 1-2 weeks off many times to get rid of that lingering pain after a horrible cramp. My cramping issues have now gotten much better since I started taking magnesium...I suggest it (it wont help your current issue but it will likely help the cause).

 

[merigayle]

I am the big magnesium pusher around here <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br>
I would look into a therapeutic massage to see if there are any adhesions and knots from the initial incident. You can also try acupuncture, as well as homeopathic remedies like Arnica (oral and topical) for the bruise/inflammation. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[muzicgrl]

Apparently I am also. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"> I think I am such a pusher because I had no idea it was so important and I had issues for months before someone suggested it to me.

 

[RunMamaRun]

Yes! There is definitely a spot that hurts like hell - much worse than the others...and it does sorta feel like a lump. There is one certain spot that really is a 'trigger' point I would say. I laid on my stomach to relax the entire calf and had my husband roll the Stick over it - he said he saw a lump that was shaped like an amoeba. ?? I talked to a physical therapist yesterday. I think I'm going to have him at least look at it and show me ways to massage it. It does help to know that others have had this happen. Sorry to hear that you've suffered, but at least I know I'm not alone. I think if this goes on much longer it won't only be PHYSCIAL therapy I'll be seeking! Gulp.

 

[toe jam on crusty feet]

That spot is the spot, then. Have the hubby gently press the point of his elbow into the spot. YOur initial reaction will be to tighten up. Take deep breaths and relax. Think of his elbow as hot and it is melting your muscle. As you relax, instruct him to ad a bit more pressure on that spot. You will tighten. Breathe and relax again. Do this like three times. Then get up and stretch the calf or use a belt while lying on your back to stretch the calf.

 

[Stitcher]

Lemme just say that the CONSCIOUS thought of relaxing is really important. My massage chick can go so much deeper on me when I'm breathing and relaxing on purpose than if I reflexively "fight" it.<br><br>
Think lamaze breathing.....that helps for me.