Doing speed or hill work is a large stress on many things from the plantar fascia, achilles tendon, to the calf muscle group to the hamstrings in your upper leg. Probably the most common calf problem for runners is the Soleus muscle. It lies under the Gostrocnemius and takes its share of abuse. If you do not have swelling or bruising it is a good sign that you did not have a major tear. However micro-tears can occur and lead to prolonged inflammation in the area which can lead to continuous cramping problems when trying to exercise. With an acute/sudden event it is important to follow the RICE protocol. Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. This should be the first treatment for the inflammation stage; the 48 hours following an acute injury. There has been growing concern on the use of Anti-inflammitory medication after injury. That it may reduce the necessary rebuilding compounds to the area. I think the verdict is still out on this one so I am waiting for more research. But Rest is key. There are other ways to keep in shape/crosstrain and help reduce the chance of further problems. Biking is less stressful, but if this makes it hurt, pool running is a good way to keep your fitness going while giving your calf the "rest" it needs. After 3-4 days of acute pain, I would start to GENTLY stretch your hamstrings and achilles. While stretching your achilles bend your knee some and this will get the Soleus more specifically. Do NOT push past pain. Keep it gentle and try doing this for atleast a couple weeks before getting back out there. And when you do, go slow and easy! For atleast another couple of weeks. If your pain is persistant or does not improve, of course, see your doctor or a specialist.
I am no doctor, but I have a cramp in my left leg that comes and goes all of the time. Sometimes I can barely move my foot because my calf muscle is in a huge knot. I have been dealing with this since I was 6 or maybe earlier, and the only thing that seems to help is to stay off the dairy, and take calcium, vitamin D, and potassium.
I had a friend start to get cramps in her leg, and I told her about my condition and what I did. And now she is off of dairy and feels a lot better.
I was running with some speed work. Of course getting in good shape, and now I end up with a sharp calf pain. Like a cramp that won't go away. I do not feel it all the time, but if I try to run any distance past even a half of a mile, at any speed, it cramps up again. No swelling, no bruising, but I am afraid to run or I will tear something. Any advise?
It would appear that you had an abrasion that penetrated deeper than the deep dermis, a particular layer of your skin. This injury caused a visible scar when healing has occured and this scar often has less pigmentation than that of normal skin, for a number of reasons. While this area may come to match the uninjued surrounding skin more closely with time, it may not. Therefore, since this area has less of the protective pigment (melanin) than your uninjured skin, you should take extra sun protection measures (e.g. a higher SPF sunscreen) and see a dermatologist or at least your primary care physician if you notice any unusual changes to this area (e.g. new unusual moles, ulcerations).
Best of luck and be careful!
Sincerely,
Ziv M. Peled, MD
Plastic Surgeon
*this advice is meant to be general in nature and in no way constitutes the establishment of a physician-patient relationship; there is no replacement for actually seeing and being examined by a physician for the evaluation of any medical problems
In August 2005 I crashed during a local crit. falling on my shoulder. Mostly I had a bruised ego, but also ended up with a large "road rash" on my shoulder. The burn scabbed over and to this day the skin under is basically w/o color. It looks like the natural color of my skin never returned to this area. I'm not so worried about how it looks, but should I be concerned about any potential problems in the future?
Calf Pain
Doing speed or hill work is a large stress on many things from the plantar fascia, achilles tendon, to the calf muscle group to the hamstrings in your upper leg. Probably the most common calf problem for runners is the Soleus muscle. It lies under the Gostrocnemius and takes its share of abuse. If you do not have swelling or bruising it is a good sign that you did not have a major tear. However micro-tears can occur and lead to prolonged inflammation in the area which can lead to continuous cramping problems when trying to exercise. With an acute/sudden event it is important to follow the RICE protocol. Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. This should be the first treatment for the inflammation stage; the 48 hours following an acute injury. There has been growing concern on the use of Anti-inflammitory medication after injury. That it may reduce the necessary rebuilding compounds to the area. I think the verdict is still out on this one so I am waiting for more research. But Rest is key. There are other ways to keep in shape/crosstrain and help reduce the chance of further problems. Biking is less stressful, but if this makes it hurt, pool running is a good way to keep your fitness going while giving your calf the "rest" it needs. After 3-4 days of acute pain, I would start to GENTLY stretch your hamstrings and achilles. While stretching your achilles bend your knee some and this will get the Soleus more specifically. Do NOT push past pain. Keep it gentle and try doing this for atleast a couple weeks before getting back out there. And when you do, go slow and easy! For atleast another couple of weeks. If your pain is persistant or does not improve, of course, see your doctor or a specialist.
Ted Rasoumoff, MD
I am no doctor, but I have
I am no doctor, but I have a cramp in my left leg that comes and goes all of the time. Sometimes I can barely move my foot because my calf muscle is in a huge knot. I have been dealing with this since I was 6 or maybe earlier, and the only thing that seems to help is to stay off the dairy, and take calcium, vitamin D, and potassium.
I had a friend start to get cramps in her leg, and I told her about my condition and what I did. And now she is off of dairy and feels a lot better.
So you never know what effects you.
Calf pain?
I was running with some speed work. Of course getting in good shape, and now I end up with a sharp calf pain. Like a cramp that won't go away. I do not feel it all the time, but if I try to run any distance past even a half of a mile, at any speed, it cramps up again. No swelling, no bruising, but I am afraid to run or I will tear something. Any advise?
Scar
*Dear Carothers,
It would appear that you had an abrasion that penetrated deeper than the deep dermis, a particular layer of your skin. This injury caused a visible scar when healing has occured and this scar often has less pigmentation than that of normal skin, for a number of reasons. While this area may come to match the uninjued surrounding skin more closely with time, it may not. Therefore, since this area has less of the protective pigment (melanin) than your uninjured skin, you should take extra sun protection measures (e.g. a higher SPF sunscreen) and see a dermatologist or at least your primary care physician if you notice any unusual changes to this area (e.g. new unusual moles, ulcerations).
Best of luck and be careful!
Sincerely,
Ziv M. Peled, MD
Plastic Surgeon
*this advice is meant to be general in nature and in no way constitutes the establishment of a physician-patient relationship; there is no replacement for actually seeing and being examined by a physician for the evaluation of any medical problems
scar
In August 2005 I crashed during a local crit. falling on my shoulder. Mostly I had a bruised ego, but also ended up with a large "road rash" on my shoulder. The burn scabbed over and to this day the skin under is basically w/o color. It looks like the natural color of my skin never returned to this area. I'm not so worried about how it looks, but should I be concerned about any potential problems in the future?