.... No, not my “head” problems. And not my undiagnosed hypertrichosis with a hint of triathlon-induced narcissistic personality disorder - I’m at a good spot with that.
As many of you “regulars” know, I have some constant achilles issues. I tend to get overuse injuries. But for the last 2 weeks, it’s been changing a little, and I don’t know if it’s STILL an achilles issues.
Normally, the pain is at the lower part of my calf / upper part of my heel, right in the middle.
Usually, the pain is here:But over the last 10 days or so, it SEEMS to have been slowly moving around to the inside of my leg.
Now, the pain is here:It’s a dull, deep ache. Could this be the same achilles issues as before and it’s just moving to a new part of the same tendon? Or could it be something different? Any thoughts? Time for an appointment with my ART Doc?
I’ll post this to a BeginnerTriathlete Forum as well, and we’ll see who can diagnose me better... ;)
Thanks everyone!
Might be overuse/tendinopathy of your tibialis posterior muscle (shin slpints in the back).
ReplyDeleteYes. Posterior Tib. Wade can help the symptoms but perhaps it's time to see a good PT so you can diagnose the why? Do you overpronate? A shoe change would be the first non medical move:)
ReplyDeleteI was thinking posterior Tib. I agree with the PT recommendation as well. ART won't fix the problem, it's only addressing the 'what' and not the 'why'. You need a good biomechanical eval. Perhaps the issue is really stemming from a weak gluteus medius. If the glute med is weak, it will throw off the whole chain down to the foot. Skip ART and get a PT eval.
ReplyDeleteSteve, have you looked at my Tuesday Training Tips? It sounds like you have ankle mobility issues. Basically, you need more flexibility because the tightness is causing lower leg pain and could lead to injury. I have just a few tips on my blog, but you can contact me for more info. Before you go the route of PT, try the mobility exercises and see if it helps and if not, THEN go and see the PT.
ReplyDeleteThink simple before thinking complex.
If you can see an ART person, go for it. It might only take one visit and they can give good insight on what's happening.
ReplyDeleteI agree with some of the previous posts. I went to an ART doctor for a while, and he helped with the symptoms. Now I am working with a sports med MD and PT, and we are getting to the root of the problem. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteWhat they said. Simple is the truth here. i read, the other day, a running injury is always curable (fixable) if it came from running...so find out what the cause is and then what the fix may be.
ReplyDeleteTwo words: Physical Therapist. (Two more: go now)
ReplyDeleteI agree with mattGT. It could be steming from your foot/arch area. Good luck and let us know how you make out.
ReplyDeleteI have the same thing, on my right side, because my ankles suck. My ankles do not bend as much as they should when I run, so it puts extra adjustment strain on that area (and then my knees, my ITB, my hip, my adductors, etc). Considering all the running on odd surfaces you've done lately, it's not surprising you're having more pain there, as your body is having to do more adjusting for balance than usual. My sports massage guy has been invaluable in helping with this injury.
ReplyDeleteSoleus muscle strain due to overcompensating for lack of flexibility in achilles tendon.
ReplyDeleteDon't bother with PT.
ReplyDeleteART is what you need. And I hate to say it, but stretching REALLY helps this problem too (I'm the anti-stretcher, but for this one situation it helps sooooo much that I give in).
After years and years of different injuries and issues, this is the only one that's been a problem for me in the past few years. ART & stretching, both gastrocs & soleus!! (and actually, removing ART and *just* stretching after some time) are just what you need.
Any chance you have a stress fracture?
ReplyDeleteGo see a PT! I agree with the posterior tib muscle.
ReplyDelete+1 rule out sfx
ReplyDeleteDo you have a high arch by any chance? I incurred the same injury recently and was told because I had a high arch, that I supinated and this was throwing my stride off causing my foot to roll in.
ReplyDeleteThat actually is usually more of a knee thing. i dont' know how to fix it, but i believe it's related to a knee flexibility issue.
ReplyDeleteFWIW: I get the pain after running as well as the dull ache in the exact area on image 2. I also have a high arches. I'll be no help to you, but this post and the comments has been help to me! Thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteYou present well, with some genuine insight into the SERIOUSNESS of your CONDITION, but you're obviously DYING....
ReplyDeleteYou might yet live to be 80, but if that's what I think it is, don't count on it....
All that POUNDING has loosened an ENORMOUS CLOT which is painfully advancing through the arteries in your calves, to its rendez-vous with DESTINY....
Your BRAIN....
Anyway, that's the best I can do, without a lot more data, ie., GROSS FOOT photos, CAT-LICKS, PITZ shots, etc....
Meanwhile, I suggest you enjoy what could be your LAST DAYS with Pharmacie, indeed, your last TIME....
Sincerely,
Dr. Charlatan Mountebank
P.S. Hardened as I am by years of (mal)practice, it yet saddens me to the point of tears. This! For one so young. So beautiful! So GOOD!!!
"C.M."
compartment syndrome. :) Who knows. Agreed. See a doc! :)
ReplyDeleteDo you have any swelling in your lower leg? Does it ever hurt when you are not running? I have had 2 blood clots and they presented pain in the same area. If it's not swollen or only hurts when you work out I wouldn't worry as much, but I would get it checked out.
ReplyDeleteJudging by your pictures, you're a hard heel-striker. Change your running form (read about Chi-Running and/or POSE technique, read Born to Run) and your running injuries will disappear.
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely pointing to the posterior tibialis muscle-but again, just from a post, it is impossible for ANY of us to diagnose you properly and more importantly, to give you an accurate reason behind the WHY-which is definitely the #1 question you must answer. Find a good PT, who can do a thorough biomechanical assessment and hopefully give you the answers you are looking for! As a PT myself, I believe in ART for reducing symptoms, but PT for diagnosing, treating and preventing reoccurrence! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHi Steve. OK, I'm pretty sure it's not this based on what you described, but since you mentioned the pain moving up to a new location, I feel like I have to say: if it moves up further towards your knee, consider the slight chance it's a blood clot. I hate saying that, but I had a friend who complained of heel pain, then his calf felt tight, then he ended up in the hospital with a large blood clot. Just be aware if it keeps moving, please :-)
ReplyDeleteI just had to comment. I hope you figure it out and get back 'at it!
Soleus. There are specific stretches that will help.
ReplyDeleteI love all the faith that is placed in the PTs. Only one problem, the majority of them are not trained well enough to diagnose. A good biomechanical evaluation is appropriate here. Find a good sports orthopedist or sports chiropractor that can diagnose you, perform ART for you and give you some sound advice to alter your running form. You really have answered the question all by yourself by stating that you have a chronic Achilles tendon problem. You are a hard heel striker. Check the form.
ReplyDeleteBefore I would go spend any money at all, I would go to the shoe store and try on the exact same pair you have now, and see the difference.....
ReplyDeleteHey, I've had soreness deep in the same area that you're talking about. I was doing too many miles a week for my fitness level at the time, and I know this because the rest of my body was going to hell at the same time. :) Overtraining? Maybe too much impact stress? Hope this helps.
ReplyDelete