calf-strain/knee injury experience

[tommy060289]

Morning all,

back at the start of January I was running in an XC race when felt a tightening in my hamstring which managed to run through (about another 3 km). Over the next few days it relented and started to feel a niggle in my right-knee which after a couple days of getting worse decided to take a few days off running. Never really went anywhere so decided to run on it and felt ok to run on (but could feel my knee) but sore day after so here I am 6 weeks on and still suffering. The ache is very much lower-lateral around the fibula head and worsens when trying to run (just a few 100 m) by radiating and difficult to pinpoint.

There's no obvious signs of trauma or swelling and seen two different physios who were not able to find anything wrong with the knee and got suggestions of nerve issue, bi-fem tendonitis and co-lat ligament wear but nothing really fit and I cant produce the pain with any sort of test such as resisted flexion/extension so been feeling a bit helpless with regards to what was actually wrong.

Anyway fast forward to this morning and finally got an appointment at the hospital with the Orthopaedics knee specialist who I explained the issue, did some quick tests, prod'd some bits and still couldn't find any sensitive bits and then felt my calf and almost instantly proclaimed it to be a calf strain once palpated my lateral gastroc. I've been referred for Ultrasound but that's another wait obviously:(

I cant feel any difference, though obviously im not a doctor but could they really diagnose it that easily and how did two experienced physio's miss it?

Being a typical Dr his solution is no running or cycling for 2 months and 4-6 months to resolve and when I enquired is there anything I can do to help rehab he proclaimed nothing at all. Just rest rest rest.

Anyone else got any experience of similar issues and if they did find anything they could do to aid recovery. What about time out? Does two months for what I don't feel is a particularly painful strain more niggle to actual repair and allow proper training.

I am down to do London Marathon in April and training was going well for a sub-2:40 attempt though that is obviously gone now but I have already paid for train tickets and hotel so would like to run regardless and just enjoy it if I can without doing any lasting damage.

Cheers,

Tom

[JeffB]

I'm not convinced about the quality of your physios if they couldn't find something like that. That is a standard response from a Dr.

The obvious self help is to massage the calf, and possibly hot and cold treatment to see if that helps.

I'd also look for another physio if you can get any recommendations from any fellow runners, and maybe tell them what the doc said.

4-6 months for a calf strain is extreme, unless you couldn't actually walk.

Jeff

[Chrace]

Don't know where you are located, but how about getting in touch with trimechanics? He's a medical doctor turned running specialist.

https://www.trimechanics.co.uk/

Really nice guy to boot.
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Where the mind goes the body follows.

[Mungo]

I tore my LHS inner calf at silly speeds on a T mill days before Oulton Park last year. ( Early March)
I could cycle with no issues, even stand uphill with minor discomfort. I found if I ran very slowly 10 kph ish it was ok, but as soon as I speeded up it would go again.
I tried Physio and osteo but it kept going..... I did all the repair stuff, compression, ice, stretch and foam roller but ultimately it mended when I didn't run on it for a month.
Unfortunately my first hard run for three months was a half marathon in a half distance race.... it was agony!

The upside is i ran a decent half three months later, and am now back to full capacity. It was very frustrating, but it will mend given adequate rest and care.

Good luck.
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Keep Triing

[JeffB]

[tommy060289]

Thanks for the words guys:) still resting it ATM. My honest opinion is I don’t think the physio is bad I think it’s just a doctor reverting to typical diagnostic. I’ve got an ultrasound on 28th but wondering whether to keep resting till then even if feels better or start running again.

[explorerJC]

[tommy060289]

That’s be running then...